Nigel Farage has secured another significant boost for Reform UK with the defection of Laila Cunningham, a councillor representing the affluent Lancaster Gate ward within Westminster. Cunningham’s departure from the Conservative Party marks Reform UK’s first councillor gain in this iconic London borough, signalling the party’s ambitions to expand its influence across the capital. She cited frustration with what she described as the Conservatives’ "failure" and expressed optimism about a "massive surge" in Reform representation in London’s upcoming local elections. Cunningham encapsulated growing voter discontent in the capital, describing constituents as “frustrated and angry” and yearning for genuine change.

Welcoming Cunningham to Reform UK, Nigel Farage highlighted her professional credentials as a criminal lawyer and entrepreneur, underscoring the party's efforts to professionalise its ranks ahead of contesting all 32 London borough elections next May. Farage also expressed strategic interest in both central London and the city's Outer Ring as key targets. Notably, Cunningham predicted that Reform UK might field a competitive candidate for the Mayor of London in the next election, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding incumbent Sadiq Khan’s intentions for a fourth term after what many perceive as years of underperformance.

This London defection forms part of a wider wave that has seen Reform UK making significant inroads into local government across the UK, driven by ongoing dissatisfaction with traditional parties. In early 2025, the party expanded its council presence dramatically when 29 councillors, including members from the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties, switched allegiance, pushing Reform UK’s total council seats beyond 100. While some insiders have voiced concerns over internal party dynamics and leadership challenges, Farage has portrayed the period as one of robust growth and increasing political clout.

The arrival of high-profile figures enhances Reform UK’s profile and financial muscle. Property magnate Nick Candy left the Conservatives to become the party’s treasurer, committing a seven-figure donation and setting ambitious fundraising targets in the tens of millions. Similarly, former Conservative deputy chairman Lee Anderson defected amid controversy, becoming Reform UK’s first MP and vocal critic of both major parties. These moves underscore the party’s positioning as a right-wing alternative appealing to those feeling alienated by the political mainstream.

Reform UK’s traction is not confined to London or national politics but extends across multiple regions. For instance, in Scotland, Thomas Kerr—formerly a Conservative group leader in Glasgow—joined Reform UK, citing a lack of Tory vision for working-class communities. Meanwhile, in Somerset, Bente Height, a long-serving Conservative councillor, switched to Reform UK, reinforcing the party's appeal to locally rooted politicians seeking a fresh political approach. Even newer councillors, such as Luke Houghton in Worthing, have made the jump, criticising the Conservative Party as a "sad parody" of its former self.

Together, these defections and endorsements illustrate a party rapidly building its footprint nationally, with an expanding membership reportedly exceeding 100,000. Reform UK’s ambitions, particularly in London, seem geared towards challenging established parties in both local government and mayoral contests, capitalising on public frustration and a shifting political landscape.

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Source: Noah Wire Services