Nigel Farage Is a ‘Political Fraud’ Who Must Be Exposed as an ‘NHS-Privatising Putin Apologist’, Says TUC Leader

The head of the Trades Union Congress has launched a withering attack on Reform UK, as the party surges in the polls. 

At a private Hope Not Hate event in Westminster on Monday, union federation leader Paul Nowak told attendees Reform UK leader Nigel Farage MP was “a political fraud.”

“He’s a public-school educated, private-equity loving, NHS-privatising Putin apologist. 

“He claims to stand for the working class, yet he and every Reform MP voted against the Employment Rights Bill that would give basic rights to millions. He says he wants to fix Britain’s broken public services, yet would welcome NHS dismantlement in favour of a US-style insurance system prioritising profit over patients.” 

He added that while portraying himself as a patriot, Farage appears to “spend more time in Washington and Mar-a-Lago than in the UK.”

But speakers were clear that Reform UK “presents a genuine threat” to Britain’s multicultural society. 

“The next election – both Westminster and potentially the Senedd election in Wales – could be pivotal. Reform will take votes not only from the Tories but potentially in Labour strongholds as well,” Nowak added. The TUC has a partnership with Hope Not Hate. 

It came as a new mega-poll (MRP) for the anti-hate group suggests that if there was an election now, Reform UK could pick up between 76 and 169 seats, winning constituencies from both Labour and the Conservatives.

The campaign group’s research shows who is moving over to Reform UK – and “it’s clear they aren’t one monolithic group”. 

Large segments of their voters do not fit into the classic idea of a Reform voter.

They include those dubbed ‘moderate interventionists’, who are positive about immigration and multiculturalism, making up about a fifth of the party’s curent support. 

“What unites these would-be Reform voters is a feeling that mainstream politics has failed,” a spokesperson for Hope Not Hate said. 

Nowak presented three strategies for taking on the party. Firstly, he argued that campaigners “cannot dismiss Reform voters as racist or reactionary.”

“Labelling Reform as racist or fascist, belittling their voters, or ignoring their grievances will fail. Many Reform voters are decent working-class people, including union members, who feel let down by stagnant wages, insecure employment, and deteriorating public services,” he said.

And he urged progressives to improve their communication with working-class voters, “not lecture them.”

“This means using relatable language rather than political jargon, delivering straightforward, consistent messaging, and focusing on issues that matter most: the NHS, cost of living crisis, decent jobs, affordable housing, and addressing migration concerns in line with our values,” the union figurehead added. 

In a warning to Keir Starmer’s Government, he called for Labour to deliver “actual change”.

“As seen in US elections, economic growth means little if people don’t feel the difference in their daily lives. Labour’s ‘Make Work Pay’ agenda is crucial – improving jobs, boosting pay, and delivering decent employment rights are overwhelmingly popular across the political spectrum,” Nowak said of Labour’s workers’ rights agenda. 

Hope Not Hate’s research suggests that an election tomorrow would give Labour around 287 seats, the Conservatives 163, and Reform 76.

Of Reform’s projected 71 seats, 60 would come from Labour, 10 from Conservatives, and one from Liberal Democrats. A mere 3% swing from Labour and Conservatives to Reform could increase Reform’s seats to 169. 

The mega-poll also suggested that 266 marginal seats have less than a 5% difference separating the main parties. In 60 seats, three parties are within 5% of each other.

Joe Mulhall, Director of Research at Hope Not Hate, defined Reform UK as a ‘far right’ party, specifically a ‘populist radical right’ party. 

“They’re democratic but anti-liberal democracy, unlike the extreme far right, which is inherently anti-democratic. They undermine democratic institutions and human rights legislation while engaging in xenophobic politics,” Mulhall said.

Mulhall shed light on an apparently leaked cache of internal documents, showing how Reform UK are running a professional, insurgent election campaign on the ground. 

They allege that the party’s current internal target is to secure nine million votes for the next general election, up from around four million in 2024. 

Reform UK currently have just 52 councillors nationwide, and only 10 were elected as Reform candidates. 

But since the election, they’ve established over 300 branches, and are expecting to reach 500 within a year. Their membership reportedly stands around 193,000, far exceeding the Conservative Party’s circa 150,000. 

The campaign documents reveal a professional, mainstream approach to local elections, Mulhall said. 

Local branches are focusing on hyper local issues, dominating existing community and campaigning spaces – and trying to shake off a far-right reputation. Nigel Farage has tried repeatedly to distance himself from far-right figures like Tommy Robinson – because he knows how unpopular he is among swing voters and Labour/Conservative defectors. 

Another Hope Not Hate spokesperson noted that Reform has “evolved” beyond single-issue politics. 

“Their local literature rarely leads with anti-immigration rhetoric, instead focusing on local concerns like potholes, bins, and local infrastructure. They’re meeting people where they are – at football matches, bus stops, and local Facebook groups,” they added. 

“They’re particularly effective at capitalising on existing community frustrations, such as late buses or declining high streets. Online, they’re either taking over existing community groups or creating new ones without explicitly identifying as Reform-affiliated.” 

On the same day as HNH’s event, a YouGov/Times voting intention survey marked the first time the poll has shown Reform UK in front. With a lead of just one point over Labour, it is within the margin of error, but it will be a wake-up call to mainstream parties. 

YouGov figures show Reform UK on 25% of the vote, their joint-highest score to date, up from 23% in their previous poll on 26-27 January. Labour are on 24% (-3) while the Conservatives take 21% (-1). The Lib Dems are unchanged on 14%, and the Greens likewise at 9%.

You can find Hope Not Hate’s new data here.

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Josiah Mortimer also writes the On the Ground column, exclusive to the print edition of Byline Times.

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