Reform UK launches its own ‘newspaper’ with Farage on front page

Reform UK has launched what it is calling a newspaper, featuring large pictures of Nigel Farage, which the party hopes will replace mainstream media for its supporters.Though the party is hiring qualified journalists to write its newspapers, the only “reporter” credited with writing articles is Farage, the party leader.Political parties often put out pamphlets made to look like newspapers in local areas during elections, but it is unusual for a party to put out a paper nationally, year-round. The party has said it wishes to build a “significant national publishing operation” as well as its TV channel hosted on YouTube.In his first column for the publication, Farage writes: “We have had enough of what we say and do being distorted by the media. So instead, we want to talk to you directly, and make sure that you get our message straight from the Reformer.”‘We want to talk to you directly,’ Nigel Farage writes. Photograph: Matt Fidler/The GuardianIts front-page story features a photograph of Farage smiling and posing with a labrador, with the headline “Nigel Farage: we will fix broken Britain”.Other stories include “Clacton result: Farage 22,239, Establishment 0.” This refers to the byelection called by Farage after he resigned his Essex seat following revelations about an undeclared £5m gift from the crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. The gift was revealed by the Guardian earlier this summer. The other main parties declined to stand in the ensuing byelection, with the result that Farage’s main opponent was Count Binface.One piece advertises Reform’s plan to use the Royal Navy to send back migrants who travel across the Channel in small boats. It says: “A Reform UK government will launch Operation Fortress. Prime Minister Nigel Farage will order the Royal Navy to stop the boats and return the illegal immigrants to France. Not one will make it to Britain.” Military experts have criticised this plan, saying the navy should not be used as a ferry service.Other articles include a short tribute to Ann Widdecombe, the Reform politician who was killed in her home in July, featuring a quote from Farage, and another piece by Farage in which he vows to declare a national emergency should he become prime minister. Other features include updates on local Reform politicians’ progress on filling in potholes and picking up litter.Reform insiders said the first edition was “rushed” and to expect more news and features in subsequent editions, coming monthly.Roles at the publication are still open, with 12 journalist jobs including executive editor, website editor and multimedia reporters/producers advertised online.Reform sources said they thought the newspapers, being delivered to homes across Britain and available in the lobby of the party’s Westminster office, would drive up membership rates. Those who join the party using the cut-out form included in the newspaper are offered a free mug and badge.Rather than being kept on the news stands in the lobby of Millbank Tower, where Reform has its headquarters, the Reformer is kept behind the desk at reception and available on request. The party says the paper has been sent to 15 million people across the country.skip past newsletter promotionafter newsletter promotionReaders of the publication are also urged to sign up as Reform candidates in the May 2027 local elections.A report by Printweek revealed that the paper has been printed by Walstead Group, which has contracts with several of the UK’s leading newspapers including the Sunday Times and Sun on Sunday.The paper is reportedly being led by the former Spiked editor Mick Hume, and is part of Reform’s drive to build a “national publishing operation” with a digital newsroom and expanded video content.Though the first edition of the free paper does not appear to contain any exclusive news stories, budding reporters hoping to join the Reformer need to be able to produce scoops.A job advert states: “Reform UK is building a seven-day digital newsroom at its Westminster headquarters and is looking for hard-working, NCTJ-qualified multimedia reporter/producers who can report, write and publish high-quality content at speed. The role sits at the heart of the party’s ambition to build the Reform UK website into a significant national publishing operation.”It adds that applicants need to come up with original stories “rather than relying solely on rewriting or republishing material already available elsewhere”.