• Analysis
Reform UK newspaper launches: the Reformer puts Farage on the front page
Reform UK has launched a party newspaper, the Reformer, sent to 15 million people across Britain and led by a front-page photograph of Nigel Farage. The party hopes the free paper will replace mainstream media for its supporters.
Reform UK's new newspaper, the Reformer, has been sent to 15 million people across the country. Large pictures of Nigel Farage run throughout, and the party hopes the free paper will replace mainstream media for its supporters. The only credited reporter on the articles is Farage himself, the party leader, even though qualified journalists are being hired.
What is inside the first edition
The Nigel Farage front page shows him smiling and posing with a labrador under the headline "Nigel Farage: we will fix broken Britain". In his first column, Farage writes that "We have had enough of what we say and do being distorted by the media." The paper's biggest stories include:
- •The Clacton byelection result, reported as "Clacton result: Farage 22,239, Establishment 0". Other main parties declined to stand, leaving Count Binface as Farage's main opponent.
- •A second Farage piece vowing to declare a national emergency should he become prime minister.
- •A tribute to the Reform politician Ann Widdecombe, who was killed in her home in July, carrying a quote from Farage.
- •Features on local Reform politicians' progress on filling in potholes and picking up litter.
Operation Fortress and the reception it met
One article advertises the Reform UK migrant plan: "A Reform UK government will launch Operation Fortress," a scheme to use the Royal Navy to return Channel migrants to France. The paper quotes the plan in its own words:
"Prime Minister Nigel Farage will order the Royal Navy to stop the boats and return the illegal immigrants to France."
Military experts criticised the Operation Fortress plan, saying the navy should not be used as a ferry service.
A publishing operation in the making
Reform says it wants to build a "significant national publishing operation" as well as its TV channel hosted on YouTube. Insiders called the first edition "rushed", telling readers to expect more news and features in subsequent editions, coming monthly. Printweek reported the paper is printed by Walstead Group, which has contracts with several of the UK's leading newspapers, including the Sunday Times and Sun on Sunday, and the paper is reportedly being led by the former Spiked editor Mick Hume.
The Reform UK jobs push is visible online, where twelve journalist roles are advertised, including executive editor, website editor and multimedia reporters/producers. One job advert describes building a seven-day digital newsroom at the party's Westminster headquarters, staffed by NCTJ-qualified multimedia reporter/producers, and demands original scoops "rather than relying solely on rewriting or republishing material already available elsewhere". Despite that standard, the first edition of the free paper does not appear to contain any exclusive news stories.
Membership, candidates and distribution
Reform sources believe the papers will drive up membership. Readers who join through the cut-out form are offered a free mug and badge. The paper also urges readers to sign up as Reform candidates in the May 2027 local elections.
Distribution is unconventional: rather than sitting on news stands, the Reformer is kept behind the desk at reception at Millbank Tower, the party's headquarters, and is available on request, including from the Westminster office lobby. Insiders expect fuller news and features in the monthly editions to come, and the twelve advertised newsroom roles have yet to be filled.
