A former Conservative councillor and current leader of the reform-minded group on Blackpool Council, Jim O’Neill, has voiced deepening concerns about the trajectory of his party, alleging it is increasingly becoming a refuge for Conservative "rejects" and risks transforming into “Tories 2.0.” O’Neill, who joined the movement in 2021 following Richard Tice’s takeover, posted his apprehensions on social media but subsequently deleted the message ahead of the upcoming party conference, claiming he didn’t want to appear "attention seeking." Despite this, he reaffirmed his views, calling for a critical examination of the party’s internal direction and awaiting forthcoming announcements before committing to his future with reform loyalists.
His discontent underscores ongoing rifts within the party as it experiences an influx of ex-Conservative politicians enticed by Nigel Farage’s leadership—a clear sign that reform efforts are degenerating into a broader Tory clone operation rather than an authentic alternative. Among these defectors are notable figures like former culture secretary Nadine Dorries, ex-party chair Sir Jake Berry, and former Wales secretary David Jones. Dorries’ departure, in particular, has garnered attention. Writing in the Daily Mail, she described her exit from a party she served for over thirty years as one of the most challenging decisions she’s faced. She bluntly declared the Conservative Party “dead” and endorsed Farage as the true voice capable of delivering the radical change Britain desperately needs, despite admitting disagreements with certain policies.
Dorries, who served as an MP from 2005 until her resignation, has remained fiercely critical of the current Conservative leadership under Rishi Sunak. Her resignation letter and subsequent statements accused Sunak of fostering a Parliament hampered by ineffectiveness and damaging the party’s reputation ahead of future elections. Her departure, which triggered a by-election in her Mid-Bedfordshire constituency, comes amid the political chaos following Boris Johnson’s fall—a prime example of the fracturing within Conservative ranks that these developments are helping to propel reform UK’s narrative as the authentic alternative.
In addition to recruiting disillusioned Tory MPs, reform UK has attracted significant financial backing from wealthy donors, including property magnate Nick Candy, who recently switched allegiance and pledged substantial funding support. This influx of resources coincides with rising polls that suggest the party is gaining ground, sometimes even surpassing Labour and closing the gap with the Conservatives. Such trends underscore a rising populist movement frustrated with the traditional political establishment and see reform UK solidifying its position as a serious challenger on both local and national stages.
However, O’Neill’s critique signals a concern about the party's increasingly blurred identity. While recognising that many former Party members may share core ideological values, he fears reform UK is risking becoming a dumping ground for politicians rejected by the Conservative Party—lacking a clear, focused political vision. He advocates for the party to maintain distinct principles rather than becoming a haven for former Tories helmed by figures eager to latch onto a fleeting populist wave without delivering genuine change.
Nigel Farage’s leadership remains pivotal to reform UK’s strategy, with growing membership and electoral gains reflecting a broader dissatisfaction with the status quo. As the party prepares for its conference and looks toward upcoming electoral contests, O’Neill’s candid reflections serve as a stark reminder of the internal struggles reform UK faces: to stay true to its original populist and nationalist aims or risk becoming just another iteration of the Conservative establishment, diluted and disconnected from the grassroots anger that fueled its recent rise.
Source: Noah Wire Services