Overview

• On July 5, Boris Johnson urged Conservative MPs to dismiss Reform UK as a political threat and concentrate on promoting economic recovery.
• His comments coincide with growing calls from some Tory backbenchers for his return to the Commons to revive party fortunes.
• Reform UK doubled its vote share since last year and claimed control of seven councils and largest party status in three more during May’s local elections.
• The Conservative leadership remains split between ignoring Nigel Farage’s movement and confronting it over issues like immigration.
• Previous efforts by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Kemi Badenoch to label Reform UK as extremist or dismiss Farage as a “reality TV star” have failed to stem its rising support.