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What
journalists and commentators are saying about Reform UK undercover
investigation allegations
Here is
some comment from journalists on the significance of the investigation
into Reform UK.
Tim
Shipman, the Spectator’s political editor, says in a long
article this morning that the “stench of incompetence” is deadly in
politics. Here is an extract.
[Nigel]
Farage should also be cognisant that the mood in the bars around Birmingham
last night was utterly mutinous. Those who are putting themselves forward as
Reform candidates confided their despair. ‘We are giving up our businesses and
putting family lives on hold to fight for Reform and this is going on behind
the scenes,’ one said …
The
overwhelming reaction in my WhatsApp groups from operatives in the other main
parties was incredulity at the recklessness of it all. ‘If this is how they
talk to people they don’t know, imagine what they are saying to people they
trust,’ observed one former Downing Street Tory …
So why
did they do it? It is the experience of everyone I have ever known near the
summit of politics that political operations take their character and operating
logic from the person at the apex of the triangle. Leaders set culture. The
worrying thing for Farage admirers is that if [Dan] Jukes and [James] Orr
behaved like this it is because they believed it to be okay by the boss. Both
boasted on camera of their closeness to the leader. In the meeting at the pub
with the fake donor, Farage seemed both au fait with how the money would be
transferred to Reform, and grateful for it.
The
scrappy, sod the rules, bugger the establishment vibe comes from him. This is
another reminder of the timeless rule that every major politician’s greatest
strength is also their greatest weakness. Farage’s insurgent image has put him
in a place where he might win power but made his operation demonstrably less
suitable to exercise it.
And Stephen
Bush from the Financial Times makes a very similar argument in his Inside
Politics column this morning.
Individually,
these accusations [the ones about evading rules in the undercover
investigation, and the Zia Yusuf racism claims – see 11.47am]
are deeply damaging, but together they are even more so. In addition to the
serious evidence that Channel 4 has uncovered, the manner in which Reform’s
bigwigs conduct themselves in the video makes them look a bit ridiculous. A
political party can survive being seen as mean or soft-hearted or a number of
other things. But if it is seen as silly it cannot be a serious prospect for
power.
Add
that to the allegations of racism — something beyond the pale for many British
voters — and the party is fishing in a small pool indeed. There are people who
will vote for a ridiculous party. There is a smaller number who will vote for a
party facing allegations of racism. But the number who will vote for a party
that is both ridiculous and facing allegations of racism is smaller still.
Ditto the number who will vote for a party that is ridiculous, facing
allegations of racism and committed to the socially conservative agenda Reform
has increasingly adopted (and to which the likes of Orr are firmly committed).
From the Daily
Mail’s Andrew Neil
I’ve
watched this investigation carefully. It has Reform UK banged to
rights in conspiring to accept illegal donations. Two of Nigel Farage’s most
senior aides have already been shown the door.
From Robert
Smith at the Financial Times
One
thing that I love about the film is how it captures a very distinct social
setting and milieu. Lunch at Rules. G&Ts at Mark’s. A champagne reception
at Oswald’s.
Pints
in a Shepherd Neame’s pub in Westminster. Discussion of Black Velvets over
oysters by the sea.
From the
Spectator’s Noa Hoffman
Speaking
to senior Reform sources, they acknowledge that the ch4 documentary is
obviously damaging beyond the conference walls but they are confident and
optimistic Farage can bringing it back with his speech this afternoon. There is
a feeling among Reform insiders that the people who come across the worst are
generally unknown characters beyond Westminster and there’s a path through.
Wishful thinking?
Meanwhile,
inside the conference hall members don’t care at all and think the documentary
is a stitch up. But that’s not who Reform needs to win over.
From the
Critic’s Rob Hutton
With
all respect to the BBC, the reason this story “matters” is not about whether it
distracts from Reform’s conference. It “matters” because it is important our
leaders are not conspiring to break the law.
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