Nigel Farage has appointed a former military officer as Reform UK's defence spokesman. Senior RAF Regiment officer Angus MacIntyre helped Ukraine thwart Russian killers during Vladimir Putin's illegal invasion. He has a military career spanning 40 years, having stood down as a commissioned Wing Commander in the Royal Air Force in order to take up the role with the party.
Farage praises MacIntyre's experience
Mr Farage said: “Having someone of Angus’ stature and calibre speak for us on defence shows how seriously Reform UK takes protecting the interests of Britain’s military.
“Angus has more experience than the entire government defence team combined. He is representative of our drive to bring into politics people with high-level and real-world experience - as opposed to career politicians – to run government departments.”
Mr MacIntyre has completed tours in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Iraq, and Somalia. He has worked to support Ukraine since 2022 after the Russians launched their illegal invasion.
Labour accused of betraying forces
Serving as part of the NATO HQ in Brussels, he supported the UK Military Representative to NATO and was awarded a commendation for his work in Kiev. His appointment comes as Mr Farage accused Labour of “betraying” the armed forces and veterans by funding illegal migrants.
Reform UK’s leader took aim at the ruling party while unveiling plans to offer extra support to service personnel buying a home. He said: “Labour is betraying our armed forces and veterans. Whether it be failing to properly fund defence or veteran homelessness, they have chosen to fund illegal migrants instead of those who serve our country. Under a Reform government, a far greater proportion of armed forces personnel will be able to purchase their own home outright, helping to end the blight of veteran homelessness.”
Forces Help to Buy expansion
His party will expand the existing Forces Help to Buy scheme for those serving in the armed forces, raising the cap on loans to 100% of a person’s yearly salary up to £50,000. The policy will cost up to £80million a year once established, the party said.
Armed forces personnel are currently eligible for a programme that offers interest-free loans of up to 50% up to a maximum of £25,000. Personnel typically pay this back over the course of 10 years from their post-tax income.
If the loan is over £10,000, HM Revenue and Customs considers it to be a “beneficial loan” and a taxable benefit-in-kind, meaning that they pay additional tax on the forgone interest that they otherwise would have paid on a commercial loan. They also pay a small insurance surcharge each month to provide cover for the loan in the case of death-in-service or severe disability.
Reform UK said: “We would also end the punitive tax treatment that results in servicemen and women paying additional tax as a result of their taking out the loan, and remove the insurance surcharge, funding this directly from the government.”
Labour minister responds
Luke Pollard, Labour’s minister for defence readiness and industry, said: “The British people can’t afford national security to be treated as an afterthought. The fact it’s taken Reform nearly 2,000 days to appoint someone to focus on defence is an utter dereliction of duty by Nigel Farage.
“If Reform got into government, their Defenceless Plan would wave a white flag to our enemies and weaken our standing on the world stage – just when Labour has rebuilt our reputation.
“Farage’s ambivalence when it comes to the defence of the realm should come as no surprise. He’s spent years parroting Kremlin talking points, and his former leader in Wales is currently in prison for taking pro-Russian bribes.
“National security should be the first duty of any government or any party seeking to hold high office.”
