Reform UK councillors have been instructed to label a police investigation into party donations as an ‘establishment stitch-up.’ This directive comes as the party faces declining popularity, with recent polling indicating a significant drop in support for leader Nigel Farage.
The investigation focuses on £500,000 in donations from Fiona Cottrell, the mother of a convicted fraudster, raising questions about the party’s financial practices. Internal documents reveal a strategy to counteract negative press by portraying the inquiry as an attempt by the establishment to undermine Reform UK’s electoral chances.
Polling data shows Farage’s approval ratings have plummeted to their lowest in a decade, with only 22% of respondents viewing him positively. This decline mirrors the political fallout experienced by other leaders during scandals, suggesting that public perception is shifting rapidly against Reform UK.
As Labour and the Conservatives close the gap in voter intention, the party’s strategy may reflect a desperate attempt to rally support. The framing of the inquiry as a smear campaign could resonate with their base but risks alienating undecided voters who may view such tactics as evasive rather than transparent.
Source: The Guardian
