A dispute has ignited between Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK's Nigel Farage, following claims that Reform has surpassed the Conservatives to become the UK's second-largest political party. Badenoch has accused Farage of using a fabricated digital counter to inflate membership numbers, while Farage has challenged the Conservatives to a membership audit.
The controversy began when a digital counter on Reform UK's website indicated a membership exceeding the 131,680 figure declared by the Conservatives earlier this year. Farage celebrated this as a "historic moment," proclaiming Reform as the "real opposition." However, Badenoch dismissed this claim as "fakery," suggesting the counter was programmed to automatically increase. She asserted the Conservative Party has gained members since the leadership election.
Farage responded by offering to have Reform's membership numbers audited by a major firm, provided the Conservatives do the same. He also criticized the Conservative brand, stating it was "dying" under Badenoch's leadership. Reform UK also shared a screenshot of what it said were internal membership numbers exceeding 134,000.
This clash highlights the complexities of tracking and comparing party membership, as noted by a House of Commons Library briefing. Definitions of membership and monitoring methods are not standardized, making it difficult to verify such claims. Furthermore, political think tank director, Luke Tryl stated the membership process as "opaque".
Adding fuel to the political fire, Reform Party chair Zia Yusuf declared Farage as the future prime minister. He insisted that Reform had broken the Conservatives' "centuries-long stranglehold" on the center-right. It's worth noting that Reform UK's membership has grown substantially since Farage became leader, increasing from 40,000 to over 134,000 in a matter of months.
The party has also seen a recent influx of Conservative defections. These include figures such as former Tory minister Andrea Jenkyns, along with the founder of the Conservative Home website, Tim Montgomerie. Speculation also surrounds potential financial support from tech billionaire Elon Musk, following his meeting with Farage. However, Farage denies any knowledge of a potential donation.
Meanwhile, the Conservative Party has struggled with declining membership, falling from 172,000 in 2022 to 131,680 this summer. The party's recent historic electoral defeat, which reduced its MP count, adds to its challenges. A Conservative spokesperson argued that Reform UK would ultimately deliver a Labour government, and urged voters to instead support their party.
