Reform UK leader demands an apology from Kemi Badenoch over accusation the party had produced ‘fake’ data
Nigel Farage has warned of possible legal action against Kemi Badenoch, demanding an apology after she accused him of falsifying Reform UK’s membership numbers. Farage, calling the claim “outrageous,” urged Badenoch to retract her statement, describing it as an “intemperate outburst.” Speaking on a Zoom call, Farage said he would take action within days but had not decided on the specifics.
The dispute began when Farage claimed Reform UK’s membership had surpassed the Conservatives’. Badenoch responded on social media, accusing Reform of using a counter “coded to tick up automatically.” Reform’s chair, Zia Yusuf, provided evidence to the Financial Times showing the party’s membership numbers were legitimate, including data from their Nation Builder platform, which tracks memberships and donations.
Farage criticized the Conservatives for not publicly auditing their own membership figures, alleging that they include people who had left the party or died. He reaffirmed Reform’s willingness to have its figures independently audited and urged the Conservatives to do the same.
The row, the first direct confrontation between Badenoch and Farage, comes as the Conservatives attempt to recover from their worst electoral defeat in July. Reform UK, expanding its membership base, is gearing up for a significant ground campaign ahead of local elections in May, seeking to establish itself as a credible political force. Reform’s membership tracker shows nearly 142,500 members compared to the Conservatives’ 131,680, as reported during their recent leadership election.
Critics close to Badenoch dismissed Farage’s claims as a publicity stunt. One source referred to Farage as “Fake Farage,” suggesting the membership counter’s credibility is questionable. Farage, however, insists the Conservatives will “bitterly regret” their accusations.
The clash underscores broader concerns about the transparency of UK political party membership figures. Unlike the Liberal Democrats, Greens, and Labour, who openly share membership data, the Conservatives have faced criticism for withholding theirs. As Reform grows, it faces pressure to prove its staying power in the political landscape.
The outcome of this dispute could shape the dynamics between Reform UK and the Conservatives, as both parties vie for public trust in a highly competitive political environment.
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