Nigel Farage puts Reform UK on emergency footing for snap election

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 11, 2026

Nigel Farage has put Reform UK on high alert and launched a nationwide campaign ahead of a likely snap general election in May called by Prime Minister Andy Burnham amid economic pressures and party tensions. Polls show Reform UK gaining ground on Labour and the Conservatives, positioning the party as a significant force challenging the traditional two-party system.

Nigel Farage has placed Reform UK on an "emergency footing" in anticipation of a snap general election expected in the spring. Farage, the party's leader, anticipates that Prime Minister Andy Burnham will call an early vote in May, driven by growing tensions between economic challenges and resistance from his left-wing MPs to proposed spending cuts.

Farage described Burnham as being “trapped” by the country's worsening economic situation and internal party conflicts, suggesting the prime minister will conclude that calling an election is inevitable. “He’ll look at it and say, ‘You know what, this is going to get worse’ — and call a vote,” Farage said. To prepare, Reform UK has been mobilizing resources and organizing a national campaign tour focused on marginal constituencies.

The party has already begun its campaign activity with Farage touring various regions, including a visit to Accrington, Lancashire, where he was met by enthusiastic supporters. While on the campaign trail, Farage dismissed speculation about forming an electoral alliance with the Conservative Party, criticizing Conservative leadership, particularly Kemi Badenoch, whom he labeled as a “Thatcher tribute act.”

Relations between Reform UK and the Conservatives have been strained, especially after Badenoch criticized Reform MP Suella Braverman at the Conservative Party conference. Badenoch took aim at Braverman’s comments questioning whether non-white people can truly be English. Farage rejected accusations of racism within his party, labeling Badenoch’s remarks as “cheap shots” and asserting that they stemmed from fear of Reform UK’s rising popularity. He clarified that Braverman’s statement regarding her personal identity—feeling British but not English—was a personal stance, not reflective of the party’s views.

Farage emphasized that Reform UK seeks to upend traditional politics rather than return to a two-party system. “Either we’re going back to two-party politics. Or we are going through a political revolution. And that’s what I’ve been trying to do for years,” he said.

Recent polling data from a More in Common survey positions Labour in the lead with 29 percent support, followed by Reform UK with 24 percent, and the Conservative Party trailing at 21 percent. These figures underscore Reform UK’s rising profile as the party prepares for what Farage expects to be a pivotal election.

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