Poll: 73% of Britons consider Reform UK leader Farage 'underhand'

According to the latest YouGov survey, 56% of respondents consider Nigel Farage 'very underhand', and another 17% view him as 'fairly underhand'. This is the highest negative rating among all UK party leaders.

Even among Reform UK voters, 40% share the perception that Farage is underhand. The perception of the party itself as dishonest has also worsened. Since October 2024, when a scandal over free gifts to politicians emerged, the share of Britons who consider the party dishonest has increased by 18 percentage points.

Researchers note that the term 'underhand' in polls does not necessarily reflect actual moral or ethical qualities – it may express general dissatisfaction with politicians. For instance, 77% of respondents similarly rated the UK government as underhand.

Farage is currently facing multiple investigations. He is accused of failing to declare support from businessman Cottrell in 2023, a year before the general election. Another investigation concerns a £5 million gift from billionaire Christopher Harborne, received months before Farage was elected to the House of Commons. Farage denies the allegations and has resigned from Parliament, but intends to run again in the Clacton by-election.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Green Party, and Restore Britain have all ruled out participating in the Clacton by-election triggered by Farage's resignation.