Nigel Farage has announced Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman will hold key roles in Reform UK’s “Shadow Cabinet”.
The Reform UK leader announced Mr Jenrick will serve as his Shadow Chancellor, with Mrs Braverman covering education and equalities.
Despite having just eight MPs in the House of Commons, Mr Farage also announced Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice would take on a “super ministry” brief on business, trade and energy.
Meanwhile, Reform UK’s policy chief Zia Yusuf was unveiled as Mr Farage’s Shadow Home Secretary.
The 39-year-old had played a leading role in crafting Reform UK’s deportation strategy, appearing alongside Mr Farage last August to set out Operation Restoring Justice.
At the start of today’s press conference, Mr Farage mentioned the “one-man band” jibe that has been levied against him by his critics.
He added: “This is about creating a machine for Government.”
Mr Tice was the first member of Reform UK’s Shadow Cabinet to appear on stage in Westminster.
Nigel Farage accompanied by the key members of his Shadow Cabinet
|
PA
Robert Jenrick defected to Reform UK last month
|
GETTY
The Boston & Skegness MP, who is a long-time ally of Mr Farage, vowed to “get rid of the madness of what we call ‘net stupid zero”.
Shortly after, Mr Jenrick railed against “decades of mismanagement” for the economy not working and promised to stand up for “alarm clock Britain”.
The ex-Shadow Justice Secretary, who triggered a furious Tory backlash following his defection last month, is expected to hold his first “big” press conference tomorrow at 11am.
Mr Yusuf, who only joined Reform UK shortly before the 2024 General Election, used his keynote speech to issue a warning to illegal immigrants in Britain.
Zia Yusuf unveiled Reform UK’s deportation plan alongside Nigel Farage last August
|
GETTY
He said: “Britain has been overwhelmed by immigration, both illegal and legal.”
“If you are in this country illegally and you are watching this, I want to be crystal clear: as Reform’s Home Secretary, I will make sure you are deported.”
Meanwhile, Mrs Braverman vowed to introduce a “patriotic and balanced curriculum” if Reform UK wins the next general election.
However, Mr Farage also addressed speculation about Reform UK’s future beyond his leadership.
Suella Braverman defected to Reform UK shortly after Robert Jenrick
|
GB NEWS“Now, if I was hit by a bus tomorrow, Reform has its own brand, Reform has its own identity,” Mr Farage said.
“Reform now has its own senior characters with their own departments to lead. I’m enormously proud of that.”
The Reform UK leader also issued a warning to his new Commons colleagues after being warned about the chaos seen under the last Conservative Government.
He said: “Very simple – if people mess about, behave badly and are disloyal, they won’t be here very long. We’re not going to put up with it.”
Nigel Farage and Richard Tice have been allies for more than a decade
|
GETTY
The Clacton MP insisted that “disagreements” will happen in private, adding: “I won’t tolerate it publicly.”
However, Reform’s rivals were quick to criticise Mr Farage for his Shadow Cabinet announcement.
Conservative Party Chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: “Nigel Farage has unveiled a front bench dominated by ex-Conservatives – a line-up that looks more like a tribute act to the old Conservative Party than a credible alternative.”
Labour Party Chairwoman Anna Turley added: “Farage’s top team of failed Tories spent over 3,000 days inflicting untold damage on our country in government, trashing our economy, hammering families’ mortgages, and leaving our borders open.”
Mr Farage is expected to unveil more members of Reform UK’s Shadow Cabinet in the near future.