The breakdown of Reform voters found that they were a coalition of newer, more moderate voters and “radical young men” inspired by the likes of Elon Musk, as well as older groups of Conservative and working-class voters opposed to immigration.
“There is no single way to fight Reform,” said Lowles. “There are different types of Reform voters and each needs a different approach. At the same time, we need to hold Reform accountable to greater scrutiny for its increasingly divergent and contradictory positions.
“Reform gets away with being able to have a coalition of libertarian free marketeers alongside those who want greater state intervention and ownership of key industries. Likewise, Farage is clearly trying to present a more moderate image, but those around him hold really hardline and extreme views.”