How the Tories changed their tune on Nigel Farage – and Reform

A year ago, the Reform party had an average poll rating of six per cent and was as good as invisible to that large majority of the electorate which does not obsess about politics. Its then leader Richard Tice was showing impressive reserves of stoicism in keeping the show on the road, but there was no sign of lift off. In two parliamentary by-elections, held in Tamworth and Mid-Bedfordshire on October 19, 2023, Reform scored vote shares of 5.4 per cent and 3.7 per cent respectively.

When Rishi Sunak marks his second anniversary as Tory leader this coming Thursday – and, by the way, no celebration seems to be planned, perhaps he will reflect on his role in transforming its fortunes. Sacking Suella Braverman and recalling David Cameron to cabinet in November, withdrawing the Tory whip from Lee Anderson in February, failing to get the Rwanda plan off the ground, calling a disastrous summer election, not seeing out D Day commemorations, allowing legal immigration to hit gargantuan levels while under the mistaken impression that the electorate was relaxed about this: these are but some of the gifts Sunak showered upon the insurgent party to his right.