Reform UK Loses Support to Labour After a Difficult Year, Says Danny 2026

Reform UK has been losing support to Labour after a very difficult year, according to MP Danny Kruger. The admission comes just over 12 months after Kruger defected from the Conservatives to Nigel Farage’s party.

Kruger, who has been tasked with preparing Reform for government, denied regretting his move despite recent polls indicating a revival under Kemi Badenoch. However, he conceded that his party had also been squeezed by the arrival of a more plausible Labour leader in Andy Burnham.

Why Reform UK Is Losing Ground to Labour

Kruger told Sky News on Sunday morning: “What’s happened is that the Labour party has replaced a deeply unpopular leader with a new leader who looks more plausible. So the left is more united and so Labour’s vote has gone up.”

This shift has allowed Labour to consolidate support that might otherwise have gone to Reform. The change in Labour’s leadership has made it harder for Reform to attract disaffected voters who might have previously considered them.

The admission from Kruger is significant because it publicly acknowledges a trend that recent polls have suggested. It also highlights the challenge Reform faces in maintaining momentum after a period of internal turmoil.

Internal Turmoil and Investigations

Reform is bracing for a report from the standards commissioner over Farage’s failure to declare a £5m gift from the crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. The gift has cast a shadow over Reform since the Guardian revealed in May that Farage had taken it shortly before announcing he would stand in the 2024 British general election.

The party has also been hit by a number of undercover media investigations, which have led to the departure of two key advisers to Farage, as well as the departure of councillors. The party’s general secretary left the role last week, as Reform continues to face turmoil over questions about vetting failures and professionalisation.

These issues have contributed to the party’s difficulties and may have eroded public trust. The departure of senior figures and ongoing investigations create an impression of a party struggling to manage its affairs.

Key Takeaways from Kruger’s Admission

• Reform UK has lost support to Labour after a “very difficult year,” according to MP Danny Kruger.
• Kruger denies regretting his defection from the Conservatives, despite polls showing a Tory revival under Kemi Badenoch.
• The party faces a standards commissioner report over Nigel Farage’s undeclared £5m gift from a crypto billionaire.
• Undercover investigations have led to the departure of key advisers and councillors.
• Reform’s general secretary left last week amid questions about vetting and professionalisation.

What This Means for British Politics

The loss of support to Labour could have significant implications for the political landscape. If Reform’s decline continues, it may benefit the Conservatives by consolidating the right-wing vote. However, it could also strengthen Labour’s position if the party continues to attract former Reform supporters.

The situation is fluid, and much will depend on how Reform handles the upcoming standards report and whether it can professionalise its operations. The party’s ability to recover will also depend on the performance of the Labour leadership under Andy Burnham and the Conservatives under Kemi Badenoch.

For now, Kruger’s admission paints a picture of a party in transition, facing external pressures and internal challenges. How it navigates these will determine its future electoral prospects.

What to Watch Next

Several developments will be crucial in the coming months. First, the standards commissioner’s report on Farage’s gift could further damage Reform’s reputation or, if handled well, allow the party to move on.

Second, the party’s efforts to professionalise and improve vetting procedures will be closely watched. The departure of the general secretary suggests these efforts are ongoing but not yet complete. The background to this story is set out in Andy Burnham Ends Labour Infighting as New Party Leader. A related thread runs through Farage Admission Raises Fresh Doubts Over £5m Gift Timing. Earlier coverage in Andy Burnham Appoints Bridget Phillipson as Labour Party Chair shows how the argument developed.

Third, the political fortunes of Labour and the Conservatives will inevitably affect Reform’s standing. If Labour under Andy Burnham continues to appear plausible, Reform may struggle to regain lost ground. A closer look at the same subject appears in Reform UK Roadshow: Farage's Desperate Political Comeback. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Farage Admission Raises Fresh Doubts Over £5m Gift. The same theme surfaces in Bridget Phillipson Appointed Labour Party Chair by Andy Burnham, which takes a different angle.

Finally, the reaction of Reform’s base will be key. If supporters remain loyal despite the turmoil, the party may be able to weather the storm. If not, further defections or losses could follow. Context on how this played out before sits in Keir Starmer's Leaving Party: Birth of a New Labour Force?. A companion piece, Reform MP Danny Kruger Claims Small Boat Arrivals Are Wealthy Men, approaches the same subject from another angle.

FAQ

The admission from Kruger comes at a sensitive time for Reform UK. As the party prepares for the standards commissioner’s report and continues to deal with internal turmoil, its ability to bounce back will be tested. For a deeper look at the people and policies shaping these debates, see our coverage of how Reform MP Danny Kruger claims small boat arrivals are wealthy men, which highlights the contentious issues the party champions.

Beyond Westminster, the financial pressures on ordinary voters remain a constant backdrop. Experts warn that reaching 67 at full capacity is very difficult for many workers, a reality that could influence how people vote in the next election. Reform’s message on these issues will need to resonate if it hopes to regain lost ground.

Meanwhile, the wider political culture continues to shift in unexpected ways. Even figures like Liz Truss are trying to reshape their public image, as we explore in our analysis of why Liz Truss’s new book tries to be Danny Dyer. Such moves reflect a broader scramble for attention and relevance that Reform must navigate as it seeks to rebuild trust and support.