Nigel Farage has conceded that Reform UK is not yet prepared to govern, describing the party as only "halfway ready" to run the country. Despite leading in opinion polls for months and attracting several former Conservative cabinet ministers, the Reform UK leader acknowledged the party's shortcomings in a BBC documentary.
Speaking to Laura Kuenssberg in 'Reform: Ready to Rule?', Farage was pressed on the party's readiness for a potential general election. Recent Ipsos polling shows only a quarter of Britons believe Reform UK is ready to form the next government, with 58 per cent disagreeing—a slight decline from September 2025, when 53 per cent disagreed. The party still holds an 8-point lead overall.
Farage vowed to intensify preparations, noting that the next national election could come as early as 2027 rather than 2029. He said he would give "everything" to ensure the party is ready. A Reform UK-associated website, 'preparingforgovernment', claims the party is "set to form the next government" and is recruiting staff.
The Reform leader also addressed defections from high-profile Conservatives like Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman, admitting they had "lost the argument in their own party" and were now uniting around Reform. Meanwhile, the party is eyeing a by-election victory in Gorton and Denton, following the resignation of former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne.
