How Christian is Reform UK?

Here in the UK, unlike the USA, little consideration is given to Christian voting trends. This may change as it is becoming increasingly evident that Christians form a significant section of politically aware people.

Christian political engagement

Studies show that Christians are distinctly more likely to be politically engaged than the general population. This is particularly true amongst evangelicals: the Evangelical Alliance found that prior to the 2024 election, 94 per cent of evangelicals expressed an intention of voting. A study by the think tank Theos found that the more often a Christian attends church, the more likely they are to vote.

It would be misleading to suggest that any major political party in the UK is in any obvious sense Christian in aspirations, policies or personalities. Most parties retain at least some vestige of Christian influence – and there are Christians at various levels in all parties. Yet, Reform UK representatives have made claims that they espouse Christian values. With more than 200,000 members, Reform is the second largest political party in the UK after Labour, and is ahead in most opinion polls with talk of them forming the next government. It is worthwhile asking just how ‘Christian’ is Reform UK.

Reform UK have made claims that they espouse Christian values.

Culturally Christian?

Nigel Farage has been consistent in claiming a cultural Christianity. Whilst leader of UKIP Farage wrote that the UK is “fundamentally a Christian nation” and added that Christianity “should be recognised by Government at all levels”. Last year he declared, in a speech in Blackpool, that ‘Judaeo-Christian values’ are at the root of ‘everything’ in Britain. Earlier this year, at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship, Farage said: “We’ve kind of forgotten that what underpins everything is our Judaeo-Christian culture and that’s where we need to start. And if we recognise that, and if we value that, then I think everything comes from that.”

Despite the emphasis in speeches on cultural Christianity, however, there is no mention of Christianity or Christian values in Reform’s ‘Contract With You’. The Contract does say that: “Multiculturalism has imported separate communities that reject our way of life.” Whilst acknowledging that society needs a stable foundation in order to flourish, it fails explicitly to recognise that this is provided by biblical teaching.

Despite the emphasis in speeches on cultural Christianity, however, there is no mention of Christianity or Christian values in Reform’s ‘Contract With You’.

Policy areas

There are a number of issues covered in Reform’s Contract with You that would be of particular interest to Christians (although we are not a homogenous bunch and will have varying views on these areas).  

Constitutional reform The Contract proposes the introduction of voting by proportional representation for the House of Commons. The House of Lords would become more ‘democratic’, although how this would be enacted is not stated. The postal voting system would also be reformed to prevent electoral fraud. Reform UK would leave the European Convention on Human Rights and replace the Equalities Act 2010. There would be a British Bill of Rights: it is  claimed this would prevent the entire country being locked down “on shoddy evidence and lies”.

Immigration Reform’s desire to cut net immigration is well known. To do this, they outline a number of measures. There would be a freeze on non-essential immigration, and illegal immigrants would be placed in detention. Foreign criminals would be deported. Student dependants would be barred. Health tourism would be stopped. A five-year residency qualification before being allowed to claim benefits would be introduced. With certain exceptions, the National Insurance rate will be raised to 20 per cent for foreign workers.

Free Speech Many Christians are increasingly wary about expressing faith in public. Reform proposes a free speech bill, which it claims will stop cancel culture, debanking, and sharia law. The definition of ‘hate crime’ would be changed so that it is not perception-based. Universities that undermine free speech will find their funding cut. The Online Safety Bill will be reviewed to prevent social media giants pushing “baseless transgender ideology and divisive critical race theory”.

Family life Reform pledges to introduce a UK 25 per cent transferable marriage tax allowance. Taken together with their anticipated £20k income tax threshold, “This means there would be no tax on the first £25,000 of income for either spouse. This will help make work pay and incentivise people trapped on benefits back into the workplace.” Reform also proposes to front-load child benefit so that parents can stay at home with young children.  

Education With small Christian schools struggling financially, Reform promises to keep independent schools VAT free and proposes introducing tax relief of 20 per cent on all independent education. They also propose a “patriotic” curriculum in primary and secondary schools, seeking to “ensure balance” when history and social science is taught. Reform proposes a ban on transgender ideology in schools, which must maintain single-sex facilities.

Evaluation

As former MEP and writer Daniel Hannan points out, “not even his strongest supporters claim that Farage is interested in policy details”. Reform is essentially an anti-establishment populist party which is strong on rhetoric but short on specifics. There is no indication of the ideology underpinning the proposed Bill of Rights.

Reform’s overall political position would be best described as national populist. When the electors’ motives are to punish an establishment which sees mainstream parties as having ignored their wishes and implemented policies to which they are fundamentally opposed, questions as to policy detail and overall competence become almost irrelevant. For the conscientious Christian, however, they must be answered.

In the four years until the next general election, we have time to evaluate how capable Reform will be of implementing their promises. After the recent local elections, Reform claimed that their councils will be able to trim fat from budgets. Throughout the country, councils are straining under the demands of providing children’s services and adult social care. Some are even driven to the point of bankruptcy. A few DEI positions will probably quickly go, but it is doubtful that after 15 years of deep cuts to council budgets any significant savings can be made.

Reform is more opposed to ‘woke’ ideologies than any of the mainstream parties.

Reform is more opposed to ‘woke’ ideologies than any of the mainstream parties. Yet the omission of any official reference to ‘Christian values’ raises questions as to where their values are coming from. Without clear ideological underpinning, Reform is culturally conservative and, overall, economically centre/left. Though it intends to lower the tax burden, particularly for individuals, it supports the re-nationalisation of British Steel. Public utilities and critical infrastructure would come under 50 per cent public ownership, the other 50 per cent being owned by UK pension funds.

The future

Reform did incredibly well in the recent local council elections in England and Wales. However, talk of Reform sweeping the next General Election is premature. We should remember that in 2014, when Farage was leader of UKIP, and 2019, when he led the Brexit Party, he won elections to the European Parliament. On both occasions, there was talk of ‘breaking the mould’ of British politics. In neither instance did the following General Election bear this out.

With four years to go until the next General Election, and with Reform now taking charge of various local councils, Christians have plenty of time to evaluate Nigel Farage’s party and assess how they would perform in government.

And, of course, there is plenty of time for Christians to pray – for this government, for how they should vote next time around, and even if God would want them more active in politics, be it Reform or another party.