Farage sees Brexit debate as opening for Reform UK
The Reform leader welcomed a contest over EU re-entry in northern and Midlands seats, while the party’s donations inquiry remains unpublished and police investigate alleged funding breaches.
Nigel Farage said Andy Burnham’s comments that the government would consider EU re-entry had created a major political opportunity for Reform UK. Speaking before a rally in Doncaster, Farage said the issue had brought him back into the debate and welcomed a contest in northern and Midlands “red wall” areas.
Farage said Reform’s general election campaign was beginning and argued voters could oppose re-entry if it involved commitments such as joining Schengen or the euro. Those implications were his claims; the source report did not set out the government’s policy details.
The rally was part of a series focused on what Reform would do in its first 100 days in government. Reform sources told The Guardian that Burnham’s intervention had energised the party and that donors were discussing funding a campaign modelled on 2016.
Farage said Reform’s internal inquiry into a donations controversy was complete and its report would be released “very soon”. He indicated it might lead to legal challenges against journalists, but no proceedings were confirmed and the inquiry’s findings had not been made public.
The controversy followed an undercover investigation by Channel 4 News alleging that Reform figures discussed arrangements involving foreign donations. Two aides have denied wrongdoing or said they would co-operate with the inquiry. The Metropolitan Police are investigating allegations that the party breached foreign-funding laws.
