Nigel Farage has personally endorsed Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) candidates Sammy Wilson and Ian Paisley in the upcoming general election.
The new leader of Reform UK will have undoubtedly caused concerns within Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) considering they signed an electoral partnership with the Reform Party in March.
The ‘memorandum of understanding’ between the two parties said that “Reform UK and TUV shall cooperate in providing and mutually supporting candidates in Northern Ireland”.
“Going forward, Reform UK and TUV will collaborate in joint political adventures with a view to advancing our shared vision of strengthening the links and political integration of all parts of the United Kingdom”.
It was signed by TUV leader Jim Allister, and then Reform UK leader Richard Tice – who has since become the Chairman of the party to make way for Farage.
The DUP’s Sammy Wilson said the TUV should “drop the Reform UK branding”.
“Some people know how to build relationships and deliver results, others just complain about problems. It is time for the TUV to stop misleading voters and drop the Reform UK branding.
“Nigel understands that on the big issues, it is the DUP, not the TUV, who can be relied on.”
Jim Allister is directly competing with Ian Paisley in North Antrim, which makes the endorsement from the Reform leader even more confusing.
Nigel Farage said, “New leadership brings change. I wish the TUV well, but I’m gonna stand up to support Sammy Wilson and Ian Paisley as people I fought with all through the Brexit years.”
The Electoral Commission has denied the TUV’s request to appear on the ballot paper as “TUV-Reform UK”.
