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The Farage Factor: Reform UK and the remaking of British politics
Nigel Farage is the great disruptor of British politics. Since co-founding UKIP in 1993, he has challenged the status quo in areas including the UK's membership of the European Union, mass immigration and net zero. He is the only person in the modern era to steer two different political parties to victory in successive national elections, topping the poll in the European elections in 2014 with UKIP and in 2019 with the Brexit Party. Now he is attempting to crown that achievement as the leader of Reform UK by sweeping to power at the next general election.
Farage is considered an outsider with a devil-may-care attitude; a populist equally at home on GB News and I'm A Celebrity… as he is discussing the European Convention on Human Rights. So why is this anti-establishment figure being spoken of as a future occupant of 10 Downing Street? Can he turn a political start-up into an election-winning machine that appeals to both the left and the right? And could he bring unity to Britain?
In this meticulously researched and highly entertaining book, Michael Ashcroft charts Farage's extraordinary life before examining Reform UK's advance, its internal struggles, its impact on British politics and its prospects for electoral success.
With unparalleled access to those who know him best, The Farage Reform UK and the remaking of British politics will help voters judge just how credible Farage's aim of forming the next government is.
Farage is considered an outsider with a devil-may-care attitude; a populist equally at home on GB News and I'm A Celebrity… as he is discussing the European Convention on Human Rights. So why is this anti-establishment figure being spoken of as a future occupant of 10 Downing Street? Can he turn a political start-up into an election-winning machine that appeals to both the left and the right? And could he bring unity to Britain?
In this meticulously researched and highly entertaining book, Michael Ashcroft charts Farage's extraordinary life before examining Reform UK's advance, its internal struggles, its impact on British politics and its prospects for electoral success.
With unparalleled access to those who know him best, The Farage Reform UK and the remaking of British politics will help voters judge just how credible Farage's aim of forming the next government is.
423 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2026
About the author
Michael Ashcroft
51 books13 followersMichael Anthony P. Ashcroft, Baron Ashcroft, KCMG, PC is an English–Belizean businessman and politician. He is a former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party. Ashcroft founded Michael A. Ashcroft Associates in 1972 and is the 95th richest person in the UK, as ranked by the Sunday Times Rich List 2017, with an estimated fortune of £1.35 billion.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 20, 2026
[20 Jul 2026] [Hardback] In common with all biographies of politicians the ability to engage with it, is for some, inextricably linked with their own politics. As someone who has read biographies of politicians from the right and the left - I approached this in the same manner. This is a good biography written in a relatively balanced way. It is an account of the life and career of Nigel Farage. Whether you love him or hate him - it cannot be argued that he has had a major impact on British political life. It starts with his childhood, his early years, his city career, his personal life - two marriages, four children and his ups and downs, etc - his successes and failures. All well written, seemingly based on fact and reports from those who know him. The chapters are long and cover all the events associated with him, remember 'I'm a celebrity get me out of here!'. It jogs your memory and is set out on a non-judgemental manner. Through it his personality emerges - clearly passionate, driven, principled, but also easily riled and very much a gambler. There are rarer insights into his lesser know traits - he can be thoughtful and very sensitive and hurt by hostility. A man with a clear idea about the future of the UK. He is consistent and principled (whether you agree or not) and as a result spent years of his life working hard to achieve his aim and became the target of extreme hostility and abuse.
It is an entertaining easy read and very informative. It won't change political minds, but will give you an insight into the mind and philosophy of a man that, like it or not, many millions agree with and support and who continues to have a significant role in the UK's political life.
It is an entertaining easy read and very informative. It won't change political minds, but will give you an insight into the mind and philosophy of a man that, like it or not, many millions agree with and support and who continues to have a significant role in the UK's political life.
August 21, 2026
7/10
For any work of political non-fiction like this one, it is important to put the book into perspective. Lord Ashcroft is apparently one of the wealthiest men in the UK, and as such, there's no point approaching this book expecting a Farage bashing. If anything, Ashcroft sympathises with Farage in a way that I think a lot of people definitely wouldn't (and couldn't).
Aside from that, I would say that this is a fairly objective book in terms of exploring Farage's motivations, and gives a brief insight into his personal life; it obviously focuses more on Reform and how they have cultivated such a big following. It's a very quick read, easy to understand, and informative. For the most part, I would say it allows you to develop opinions for yourself - though as I said, Ashcroft definitely is a lot gentler on Farage's character than many people would probably bother to be.
Considering how current these events are, The Farage Factor is certainly something I'd recommend giving a read to anyone curious how Reform operate, and how they have made it this far. It also might clue anyone in as to how Britain would look under a Reform government, if that ever happens. In my opinion, fairly unlikely, but a lot has changed.
For any work of political non-fiction like this one, it is important to put the book into perspective. Lord Ashcroft is apparently one of the wealthiest men in the UK, and as such, there's no point approaching this book expecting a Farage bashing. If anything, Ashcroft sympathises with Farage in a way that I think a lot of people definitely wouldn't (and couldn't).
Aside from that, I would say that this is a fairly objective book in terms of exploring Farage's motivations, and gives a brief insight into his personal life; it obviously focuses more on Reform and how they have cultivated such a big following. It's a very quick read, easy to understand, and informative. For the most part, I would say it allows you to develop opinions for yourself - though as I said, Ashcroft definitely is a lot gentler on Farage's character than many people would probably bother to be.
Considering how current these events are, The Farage Factor is certainly something I'd recommend giving a read to anyone curious how Reform operate, and how they have made it this far. It also might clue anyone in as to how Britain would look under a Reform government, if that ever happens. In my opinion, fairly unlikely, but a lot has changed.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews