Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is taking a cue from Donald Trump’s political strategy, pledging to eliminate overtime tax as the party aims to establish itself as the genuine “workers’ party” in the UK.
Leaders involved in Brexit mentioned on Saturday that, if they gain authority, Reform UK would remove income tax on extra hours worked beyond the standard 40 hours a week for individuals earning under £75,000 annually—who represent over 90% of the workforce.
The initiative is projected to cost around £5 billion each year, but the Reform Party claims it will fund this through over £40 billion in savings from cutting wasteful spending, reversing environmental regulations, reducing foreign aid, and slashing migrant welfare.
Farage noted that recent local elections revealed “deep dissatisfaction” among voters, with his party achieving significant gains. Many feel “all the hard work in this country has gone unrewarded,” struggling to make ends meet despite their efforts, especially when working overtime.
He argued, “Benefits often match or exceed incomes, and everyday families find themselves in higher tax brackets with little to show for it. Meanwhile, they’re swamped with legal challenges related to human rights and net-zero goals, alongside issues about potentially rejoining the EU. They’re up against a Labor government that seems disconnected from their everyday struggles. More importantly, they might sense that a party once allied with workers now prioritizes welfare.”
Farage claimed that Labor no longer accurately represents the working-class vote, asserting that only Reform UK truly defends the interests of the “patriotic working class.”
“To rebuild the UK economy, a collective effort is necessary. That means energizing workers and ensuring their efforts are duly recognized,” he asserted.
The plan’s introduction echoes a similar strategy from Trump with last year’s “Big Beautiful Act,” indicating that Reform UK is regaining momentum.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing criticism following Labor’s poor performance in recent local elections, leading some within the party to suggest he be replaced. However, his chief competitor, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, isn’t eligible for a position as he currently doesn’t hold a seat in the House of Commons. To address this, former anti-Brexit activist Josh Simmons stepped down from his Makerfield position to initiate a special by-election for Burnham to run for Congress.
Despite nearly a decade of leadership as mayor, Burnham, a seasoned Labor figure, is in a tight race against relatively unknown Reform candidate, Councilor Rob Kenyon, who is a local plumber and former army reservist.
According to a Survation poll in the area, Labor enjoys a slight advantage at 43%, closely followed by Reform UK at 40%. Reports indicate that Restore Britain, which Rupert Lowe left, has 7% support, the Liberal Democrats at 4%, the Greens at 3%, and Conservatives at a mere 2%.
Farage called on right-leaning voters to unite under the Reform banner during the upcoming by-election, suggesting that the race is “two-horse” and that “Rob Kenyon is the only candidate capable of stopping Andy Burnham.”
A surprising win for Reform in this seat would be a significant blow to Labor, indicating that the party’s challenges in working-class and pro-Brexit “red wall” areas are likely to persist. However, even if they falter, Farage’s party is expected to gain, particularly if a leadership conflict arises within Labor leading to Starmer’s potential ousting as prime minister.
