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‘The worst year in memory’: parties describe climate of abuse on campaign trail

campaigning because of fear of abuse. The abuse has occurred across political divides. The Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, [criticised Elon Musk](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/nigel-farage-elon-musk-scotland-wales-english-b2961318.html) in April after he detailed

Police assess evidence on £40,000 donation to Robert Jenrick’s campaign

Reform and is now Nigel Farage’s Treasury spokesperson. The Conservative party said that it had referred Jenrick to the parliamentary commissioner for standards. A spokesman for Jenrick said: “The suggestion that Robert knowingly accepted

‘Toxic’ views of Reform UK candidates raise questions about party’s vetting

Nigel Farage](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/nigel-farage), the Reform leader, and senior colleagues have insisted the party’s vetting processes are as tough as any other, Reform was under pressure this week over views and positions linked

Starmer urges calm as far right seeks to exploit Henry Nowak murder

Reform UK leader, saying Nowak’s family had explicitly asked that the case not be used to target particular communities. Starmer said in a TV interview at Downing Street: “Nigel Farage is completely wrong

Reform councillor assaulted woman while working pub doors

Details of the conviction were not aired during the campaign, which saw Beck elected to represent the Thatto Heath ward on St Helens Council. Reform said Beck had appealed the conviction and it would await

Farage under mounting pressure to prove Russian hack claim

details of his undeclared gift last month. Farage told the Mail on Sunday that the alleged Russian activity was “deeply concerning” and highlighted the “threat they pose to British security”. Farage’s claims followed intensifying

Reform challenges other parties to cost their policies in heated Welsh election debate

details, with independent analysts criticising the lack of transparency on how manifesto pledges would be funded. On [BBC Wales' Your Voice Live: The Leaders' Debate](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002vst7) Reform's Dan Thomas said he would

How the High Street became a window on our political instability

Nigel Farage and Richard Tice were among the first mainstream politicians to regularly talk about visible signs of High Street criminality. In 2024, Farage said at an event: "You can see High Streets with five