In a remarkable shift in political support, Reform UK, led by Richard Tice and associated with Nigel Farage, is now overtaking the Conservative Party among male voters and in Red Wall areas according to a recent YouGov poll. With Lee Anderson, Ashfield MP, defecting to Reform UK, the party’s popularity soars as Nigel Farage’s potential return to politics looms. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak focuses on defending the state pension triple lock and pledges to commence flights to Rwanda for deporting migrants, pending necessary legislation.
In a recent YouGov poll, Reform UK, a party associated with Nigel Farage, has seen an increase in support, overtaking the Conservative Party among male voters and within the Red Wall areas. The party, led by Richard Tice, now has the backing of 19% of men, a 2% lead over the Tories. In the Red Wall regions, Reform UK is also ahead, with an 18% to 17% advantage over the Conservatives. This increase in support places Reform UK just two points behind the Conservatives, who are led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, in England.
Lee Anderson, the Ashfield MP and recent defector from the Conservatives to Reform UK, hailed the poll results as monumental for the party. This surge in support comes amidst speculation that Nigel Farage’s return to politics could further boost Reform UK’s popularity. Anderson’s switch to Reform UK is notable, marking him as the party’s first MP following his departure from the Tories amid an Islamophobia controversy.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently defended the state pension triple lock during a parliamentary session, affirming the government’s commitment to the policy as a means to combat pensioner poverty. The triple lock guarantees annual state pension increases based on the highest of either wage growth, inflation, or 2.5%. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has also confirmed the inclusion of the triple lock in the Tory election manifesto. During the session, Sunak addressed various topics, including defence spending and council funding, but refrained from declaring a funding “crisis” for councils.
Separately, Sunak assured that flights to Rwanda for the deportation of migrants could commence once the necessary legislation is approved by Parliament. The specifics of whether RAF or commercial aircraft will be used for these flights are yet to be confirmed. The plan is part of a five-year agreement with Rwanda, intended to deter Channel crossings by migrants. Despite the increase in crossings in comparison to the previous year, Sunak remains confident in the strategy’s efficacy. The legislation is still under amendment, with key discussions scheduled for April 15 in the House of Lords.
