This week James Heale and Tim Shipman share a byline to tell the story of Reform since the 2024 election, and where they are going. Nigel Farage reveals he is talking to potential Blue Labour defectors, shifting his leadership style and offering a ‘less is more’ approach on policy. Essex and its resident Tory big beasts – Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly and Priti Patel – are a major focus. Reform hopes to swallow the Tory vote come the 2029 election – ‘As long as Nigel is ahead of Badenoch,’ an adviser notes, ‘the Tory vote will disintegrate overnight.’

Also on the podcast, the Labour leadership contest (informally) started this week, with interventions from Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham. But are they right to put Labour members before the public?

Tim and James discuss.

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