Nigel Farage has declared Reform UK is on a ‘general election war footing’, opening candidate applications as the party prepares to challenge Labour for power. Speaking at a rally in Birmingham, Farage said the party would be ready to fight an election within two months and plans to unveil a ‘shadow cabinet’ later this week, including figures from outside politics.
The move comes as Labour faces internal turmoil over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, which has already led to the departure of chief of staff Morgan McSweeney. Farage claimed Labour is ‘continuing the chaos we saw under the Tories’ and predicted Sir Keir Starmer would not last long after local elections in May.
Reform’s candidate recruitment opens with an eye to a vote in 2027 or possibly later this year. Farage previously admitted the party was only ‘half-ready’ for a general election, but now insists it will be prepared to win. The party is expected to draw on former Conservative figures such as Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman for key roles.
Labour faces two major tests: a by-election in Gorton and Denton later this month and local and devolved elections in May. Sir Keir could lose a seat in Greater Manchester that Labour won by 13,000 votes in 2024, with further losses expected in Scotland, Wales and English councils.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch criticised Starmer for allowing McSweeney to ‘carry the can’ for the Mandelson appointment, arguing the prime minister’s position is ‘untenable’. She said Starmer made a bad decision and should take responsibility, not blame advisers.
