Opinion Piece: Why Reform’s Promises Don’t Stand Up to Scrutiny

By Paul Howe

Across the country, Reform UK has styled itself as the voice of common sense — the antidote to so-called establishment politics. But as more of their representatives take office, and as their policies and behaviour come under public scrutiny, that image is beginning to crumble. What’s emerging is not a party of fresh ideas or accountability, but one that thrives on division, half-truths, and political theatre.

We’ve seen it in councils where Reform now holds power. In Kent, leaked footage revealed bitter internal feuds and a leader shouting at colleagues to “suck it up” when confronted about broken promises and poor management. The party that promised to restore integrity to politics instead appears to be fighting itself behind closed doors.

Across the country, Reform councillors have been suspended or criticised for sharing far-right material, from Islamophobic posts to content originating with extremist groups. And while Reform’s national message centres on patriotism and pride, it has even sought to ban the flying of flags other than the Union Jack or St George’s Cross — including the Ukrainian flag — a move widely condemned as mean-spirited and tone-deaf at a time when solidarity matters most.

These aren’t isolated missteps. They form a pattern of behaviour that undermines the very trust Reform claims to champion. Its leadership insists that it speaks for ordinary people, but again and again we see evidence of disorganisation, intolerance, and poor governance where it actually holds power.

Behind the slogans about “putting Britain first” lies a lack of substance and, too often, a willingness to mislead.

And here in North Somerset, we’ve seen what happens when that national playbook filters down to local life. In Weston-super-Mare, the town recently faced a simple but important decision — whether to apply for “council of sanctuary” status, a designation that costs virtually nothing but represents a commitment to compassion and fairness toward those seeking refuge. It should have been a moment for civic pride.

Instead, Reform-linked campaigners seized on it as an opportunity to stir fear, claiming without evidence that it would burden taxpayers or bring an influx of asylum seekers. None of that was true; the number of asylum seekers housed in the town is decided by the Home Office, not the council.

What followed was a familiar pattern: inflammatory leaflets, exaggerated online posts, and a rising tide of anger among residents who had been misinformed.

A proposal meant to express humanity and inclusion was turned into a wedge issue, and ultimately defeated amid confusion and mistrust. The cost wasn’t financial — it was social. A town once known for its sense of community was left divided by a campaign built on distortion.

This is what happens when political opportunism outweighs truth. Reform’s message may sound appealing on the surface — talking about fairness, national pride, and standing up for local people — but time and again, when you look closer, the facts don’t match the rhetoric. From the chaos in their flagship councils to the misinformation spread in towns like Weston-super-Mare, the pattern is the same: big claims, little accountability, and a willingness to exploit division for gain.

We all want politics that works for us — honest, local, and focused on real issues like healthcare, jobs, housing, and fairness. But those values can’t thrive when parties build their success on fear and falsehoods. In North Somerset and across Britain, voters deserve the truth, not the next easy slogan. So before anyone casts their ballot based on what sounds simple, it’s worth asking: who really benefits when misinformation wins?

At the end of the day, politics should be about bringing communities together, not tearing them apart. And in that sense, Weston-super-Mare has every reason for hope. At last, we have an MP in Daniel Aldridge who stands firmly for honesty, fairness, and inclusion — someone determined to challenge misinformation wherever it comes from, whether that’s Reform or any other party. His commitment to making Weston a place where diversity is celebrated and everyone, whatever their background, can live in peace and mutual respect, is exactly the kind of leadership this town deserves.

With that spirit, Weston-super-Mare can once again be known not for division, but for decency, compassion, and truth.