From the US side of the Atlantic, it’s depressing to witness Britain in decline — betrayed by Labour and the Tories, shackled by consensus politics, and desperate for a Trump-style shake-up. Reform UK, under Nigel Farage, looks to be the only hope to smash the Westminster Uni-Party that’s misgoverned for decades.
But as the recent internal shake-up makes clear—even from here in America—if Reform is serious about governing, the party must diversify its talent to become credible. Nigel is a marvel. He’s got four years until the 2029 election—but please: take a page from his pal Donald Trump’s wilderness years between victories.
Britain’s in a mess —you don’t need me to tell you that. Labour’s gone mad with net-zero lunacy, tax hikes, and recession terror, while the Tories flounder, pretending to be tough on immigration and climate policies but delivering nothing. The people — from working-class patriots to fed-up pensioners — are being sold out.
Nigel Farage doesn’t need to micromanage; he needs to delegate to talented colleagues, says Lee Cohen
GB News
Reform UK’s surge in 2024 — clinching five seats with 14.3% of the vote — laid bare a ravenous demand for change. Today, March 15, 2025, polls peg them at 25-27%, with membership swelling to nearly 220,000.
That’s no fluke; it’s a movement. Yet strip away Nigel Farage, and it crumbles. He’s the firebrand — the Brexit titan who strong-armed Britain out of the EU’s grip while the Tories wavered. But even a giant needs a scaffold: Farage can’t carry this alone.
Consider Trump. He’s a force of nature — like Nigel, a disruptor who speaks straight to the people. In 2016, he stormed into power, but his first term was a dry run. He micromanaged everything, relying on a tight inner circle. It worked to a point, but chaos reigned. After 2020, in his wilderness years, Trump regrouped. He built a coalition—the Heritage Foundation, top Republicans like Marco Rubio, and tech giants like Elon Musk.
By 2024, he wasn’t a one-man band anymore. He’d learned to delegate, bringing in talent like finance giant-turned-Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to steady the ship. MAGA didn’t just take over the Republican Party; it became a machine. Trump stayed true to himself—brash, bold, unapologetic—but evolved into a leader who could govern.
Farage is at a crossroads. Reform has undeniable momentum, but it’s a startup in a game dominated by parties with a century of history.
The Tories and Labour have deep roots—unions, donors, networks. Reform counters with Nigel’s outsized charisma and a scrappy legion of supporters sick of the Uni-Party’s disasters: open borders, green obsession, economic drift. Yet its big-tent mix needs structure.
Nigel’s a communicator and campaigner par excellence. He won Brexit against all odds and turned Reform into a contender overnight. But governing’s different—it’s the boring stuff: operations, compliance, teamwork. Trump figured this out; Reform hasn’t yet. It’s still flailing, a one-man show too quick to sideline allies.
Take Ben Habib and Rupert Lowe—both have clashed with Nigel, and personality conflicts happen in any movement. But these men bring essential qualities: Habib’s sharp intellect and Lowe’s business savvy could round out the team. Friction isn’t uncommon among allies in politics—Trump embraced talent despite it. Nigel could too, but reconciliation looks distant.
Britain already has a King. It’s parliamentary system isn’t a dictatorship; it’s “first among equals.” It need a team. Trump’s got Rubio, Musk, and Bessent; Nigel needs his own diversified heavy hitters.
Time’s ticking. The 2029 election looms, and right now, Reform UK looks like Britain’s best hope to reclaim its greatness. The country’s on its knees—more Uni-Party betrayal could finish it. Nigel re-entered politics because the Tories proved they can’t govern.
He’s got four years to get his house in order and capitalize on Brexit’s promise. That means professionalizing Reform—building a governance structure, not just a protest movement.
He doesn’t need to micromanage; he needs to delegate to talented colleagues who can handle the nuts and bolts while he remains the mastermind campaigner, the voice of Britain’s disaffected.
Trump’s stronger today because he evolved without losing his soul. Nigel must do the same. Stay true to himself—the brilliant, pint-swigging, straight-talking patriot—but surround himself with a crew that can turn Reform into a party ready to lead.
The parallels are striking: MAGA remade the Republicans; Reform could transform Britain’s destiny. Trump had four years in power to learn; Reform’s got four years now to prepare. It’s the only hope to reverse the Uni-Party’s damage—but hope alone won’t cut it.
Build the team, Nigel. Take the leap. Britain and your friends across the pond are counting on you.
