Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has sharply criticised the UK government, accusing it of favouring large corporations over small businesses and imposing excessive regulatory burdens. Speaking at a London event attended by hundreds of entrepreneurs, Farage argued that government policy is disproportionately shaped by influential big businesses, leaving smaller enterprises without a meaningful voice in policymaking. He said the culture in the UK needs a fundamental shift to celebrate capitalism and entrepreneurial success, rather than viewing wealth creation as something morally questionable.
Farage launched a new forum titled Small Business for Reform aimed at championing the interests of small business owners. He recalled his two decades in Brussels, observing firsthand how major corporations benefit from extensive lobbying and corporate hospitality, while smaller firms are largely ignored. “We’re not living in capitalism. We’re living in an age of global corporatism,” he said. Farage criticised the current political environment where corporations effectively control and own the political arena through their influence.
While questioned about potential bans on ministers accepting corporate hospitality, he suggested clearer transparency rather than outright bans would be key, noting that low-level hospitality such as having a cup of tea is distinct from more lavish events like Wimbledon outings. Farage emphasised his admiration for small business entrepreneurs who risk capital and time to innovate and succeed despite the challenging environment. He pledged that a Reform government would work to change the prevailing culture by promoting hard work, success, and entrepreneurial role models through education and public recognition.
Among specific policy grievances, Farage highlighted EU-derived red tape and UK regulations that stifle small firms. He criticised the controversial IR35 rules which have complicated life for self-employed contractors, the recent 30% rise in corporation tax, and Labour’s Employment Rights Bill, which allows employees to sue for unfair dismissal from day one. Farage also described the VAT registration threshold as inadequate, though he stopped short of reiterating Reform’s election promise to cut taxes for small businesses.
Addressing complaints that Brexit has led to increased bureaucracy, Farage contended that the UK has suffered “50 years of endless red tape” under Brussels. He also pointed to the problem of regulatory overreach by UK agencies and quangos in interpreting EU rules, making compliance even more onerous. This reflects longstanding Reform UK criticism that both EU and domestic regulations excessively hamper business growth.
The issues Farage raised resonate widely among UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which have frequently voiced frustration over regulatory complexity and a perceived governmental tilt toward larger corporates. Government efforts have attempted to ease EU-derived regulatory burdens since Brexit, with initiatives including a business-led plan to cut EU red tape intending to boost growth and save billions in costs. However, many small firms still report challenges navigating the post-Brexit regulatory landscape, which some attribute to continued rule overlap and administrative demands.
Farage’s stance fits within his broader political profile, well-established during his time as a Member of the European Parliament and as a leading Brexit campaigner, characterised by strong advocacy for free-market capitalism and scepticism toward the EU’s influence. His call to pivot UK policy and societal outlook to better celebrate entrepreneurship and tackle regulatory obstacles reflects a strategic appeal to a crucial constituency in the national economy.
As Reform UK seeks to broaden support among small business owners, Farage’s critique underscores ongoing tensions in UK economic policy between supporting large multinational firms and nurturing the much-discussed “backbone” of the economy: small independent businesses. Whether his proposals will translate into tangible policy changes remains to be seen, but his comments bring the debate on governance, corporate influence, and economic opportunity back to the forefront.
📌 Reference Map:
- [1] (Daily Mail) - Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
- [2] (Evening Standard) - Paragraph 1, 2, 8
- [3] (Irish News) - Paragraph 1, 2, 8
- [4] (UK Government) - Paragraph 8
- [5] (Wikipedia) - Paragraph 7
- [7] (Evening Standard) - Paragraph 8
Source: Noah Wire Services