Nigel Farage has two clear frontrunners to one day succeed him as leader of Reform UK, according to new polling. The vast majority of party members want Farage to remain in post even if Reform does not win the next election, but two men stand out as potential successors.
Leadership Contenders
Polling commissioned by Conservative peer Lord Ashcroft surveyed 850 Reform members. It found that Zia Yusuf, the entrepreneur whom Farage wants to appoint as Home Secretary, was the most popular choice at 22%. Deputy leader Richard Tice is close behind at 21%. Former Conservative MP and party chairman Lee Anderson follows with 11%.
In fourth place is ex-Tory immigration minister Robert Jenrick, who is on course to become Chancellor in a Reform government, with 6% support.
Farage's Popularity
There is no evidence of any desire for Farage to step down. Ninety-nine percent of those polled had a positive attitude towards the veteran Brexiteer. Eight out of ten members want him to stay as leader if Reform is out of government after the next election, with just 13% saying he should step down.
Member Views on Tory Defectors
The polling also reveals what party members think about Conservatives joining Reform. Six out of ten said the balance is about right, while only 22% said Reform should try to attract more Tories. Fifteen percent said the party has let too many ex-Tories join.
Optimism for Government
Party members look to the future with confidence. Forty-eight percent think Reform will win an overall majority at the next election, while 45% expect it will be the largest party in a coalition with the Conservatives.
Coalition Willingness
Lord Ashcroft's polling reveals great openness to a link-up with the Tories. When asked what Reform should do if it is the largest party after the next election but lacks a majority, nine out of ten said it should form a coalition or do a deal with the Conservatives. Only 7% wanted Reform to stay in opposition.
Concerns About Establishment
However, nearly nine out of ten (89%) think that if Reform is the largest party, the political establishment and civil service will do everything they can to deny it the chance to form a government. Nearly six out of ten Reform voters (59%) lacked confidence that UK elections are carried out fairly.
Pessimism About Britain
The research uncovers deep pessimism about the state of modern Britain. Nine out of ten Reform members think life in Britain is worse than it was 30 years ago, compared to 71% of 2024 Tory voters and 58% of Labour voters.
Christian Faith
While 91% of Reform members think the Christian faith is an important part of Britain's culture and should continue to be so, this was the case for 66% of Conservative voters and just one in three Labour voters.
