‘Reform on the rise!’ 1K new young people join Nigel Farage’s party in less than 48 hours

Nigel Farage has announced that 1,000 young people have joined Reform UK in less than 48 hours, following the party’s launch of discounted membership for under-25s.

The party is offering £10 memberships to those aged 25 and under, as part of its strategy to attract younger voters.

The membership surge comes as Reform UK recently passed the 100,000-member mark, according to party sources.

The initiative mirrors strategies used in American politics, with Reform UK planning to utilise popular podcasts and new media to speak to younger generations of voters.

This youth-focused approach stands in stark contrast to traditional parties, with recent polling showing Reform UK gaining significant traction among younger demographics.

Reform UK’s youth appeal was further demonstrated by 18-year-old Kieran Mishchuk’s victory in the Milton Regis Ward in Swale Borough Council by-election, where he secured 33.9 per cent of the vote.

Mishchuk became the party’s youngest councillor after defeating Labour’s candidate, gaining the seat with 272 votes. Party chairman Zia Yusuf celebrated the win, highlighting a “33-point swing away from Labour.”

The young councillor, who grew up in neighbouring Sittingbourne, pledged to focus on family, community and country values.

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Reform UK’s youth strategy comes as the Conservative Party grapples with an aging voter base, with the average Tory voter now aged 63.

This represents a dramatic shift from 2019, when the Conservative “crossover age” was just 39 under Boris Johnson’s leadership.

YouGov polling taken shortly after the July General Election among 18-24 year old voters found young men were more likely to vote Reform UK over their female counterparts (12 per cent to six per cent) and Conservative (10 per cent to six per cent).

On the other hand, almost twice as many young women voted for the Greens than young men (23 per cent to 12 per cent).

Reform UK’s future prospects could be bolstered by significant financial backing, with new treasurer Nick Candy suggesting he could raise up to £40m before the next general election.

Reports indicate that Elon Musk might contribute an additional $100m (£80m), though Farage has described this figure as “for the birds.”

The party is setting its sights on the 2025 local elections, where 2,334 council wards will be up for grabs.

These elections include contests in all five current Reform MPs’ constituencies, with particular focus on the east and southeast of England.