Keir Starmer’s announcement that he would boost UK defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, and fund it by cutting overseas aid is – you might have thought – exactly the sort of policy Reform and its voters would like to see a government enacting.
But in the chamber on Tuesday, Nigel Farage was notable only by his absence. While the prime minister and every other party leader came to the Commons for what might be the most significant defence policy announcement since the end of the cold war, Reform MPs barely showed at all.
One Reform MP who had bothered to show his face left as the chair of the defence committee was speaking, having made no effort to contribute himself.
The party’s absence from this debate was a missed opportunity for Farage and co to show their support for the UK’s efforts to oppose Russia’s war on Ukraine – which might have been timely.
On Monday, it was reported that former Brexit Party MEP, and former Reform leader in Wales, Nathan Gill had appeared in court in connection with eight counts of alleged bribery.
The court was told that Gill had allegedly received payments for comments in the European Parliament and to media that would “benefit Russia regarding events in Ukraine”.
A spokesman for Reform said that Gill was not a current member of the party, while Gill himself was granted bail until an appearance at the Old Bailey next month.
Tuesday’s parliamentary debate might have given Nigel Farage and his party a chance to remind MPs and the public where they stand on Russia, Ukraine, and British defence – but, alas, it’s one that they missed.
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