UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Reform UK’s Andrea Jenkyns called the dispute between Nigel Farage and Rupert Lowe temporary, emphasizing that it would “blow over.”
Nigel Farage’s party’s senior-most woman told Sky News that the conflict involving Rupert Lowe “doesn’t look great” and expressed a desire to see it off the headlines in the coming days.
What did Dame Andrea Jenkyns say about the Farage-Lowe conflict?
Dame Andrea Jenkyns, who joined Reform UK last year, acknowledged that the clash was “clearly a major falling out,” but pointed out that such internal disputes usually don’t capture the public’s attention.
She stated that her focus remains on winning as she sets her sights on becoming the party’s first mayor in May.
During an interview with Sky News, Ms Jenkyns opened up about her experience with domestic abuse and responded to the concerns regarding Reform’s approach to women. She rejected the notion that Reform has a “woman problem,” contending that the party needs to address topics that interest women.
After losing her seat as a Tory in the 2024 election, she retired from politics before rejoining earlier this year as the newest member of Reform.
As the party’s candidate for Greater Lincolnshire mayor, she aims for a victory that analysts view as Reform’s shift from a protest movement to a governing force.
Reform is gaining momentum in Lincoln, a critical battleground between the Conservatives and Reform ahead of the local and mayoral elections in May.
Is Dame Andrea Jenkyns the right choice for greater Lincolnshire mayor?
The Tories argue they have a “strong local candidate, native to Lincolnshire,” contrasting this with Dame Andrea, who is from Yorkshire, when discussing the upcoming election.
The Conservatives stated,
“We are fighting hard, we have a proven track record of delivery in charge of local services, whereas Reform aren’t tried and tested,”
Adding,
“And if they’re anything like Reform nationally, who don’t turn up on important votes, then they won’t show up for people locally.”
What did Rupert Lowe say about Reform UK’s leadership and future?
Reform MP Rupert Lowe warned that he would not stand by “Nigel’s side at the next election” unless the party’s governance underwent significant changes.
He stated,
“We have to change from being a protest party led by the Messiah into being a properly structured party with a front bench, which we don’t have,”
Adding,
“We have to start behaving as if we are leading and not merely protesting.”
Referring to Nigel Farage, Mr Lowe said,
“He is a messianic figure who is at the core of everything but he has to learn to delegate, as not everything can go through one person.”
How did Nigel Farage respond to Rupert Lowe’s comments?
In response to Rupert Lowe’s remarks, Mr Farage stated,
“We are not a protest party in any way at all. That is utterly, completely wrong. We are an entirely positive party. Come to any Reform event and the positivity, the energy – perhaps he should come to one or two.”
He said if Rupert did not have a huge following, Reform “wouldn’t have taken any seats in Parliament last July,” and there would have been “a near-impossible chance” of Mr. Lowe securing his seat in Great Yarmouth.
What did Richard Tice say about Rupert Lowe’s comments?
Reform Deputy Leader Richard Tice responded to Mr Lowe’s remarks about Nigel Farage, stating that “there’s no harm in a bit of challenge.”
Mr Tice stated,
“Rupert is doing a good job. He’s working hard. We’re all working hard. We’ve got a small number of MPs. We’re growing in the polls, and that’s because we’ve got the policies to get this country growing”
Before adding that Mr Lowe is
“a businessman, we’re all from the world of business, we get things done”.
What did Chris Philp say about the Reform UK dispute?
Chris Philp MP, the shadow home secretary, argued that the dispute revealed the “internecine warfare at the top of Reform.”
He stated,
“Their MPs are more concerned with their own egos, and advancing their personal ambitions, rather than standing up for the British people.”