Dominic Cummings has sensationally come out to back Reform UK, in the latest boost for Nigel Farage’s insurgent party.
Asked by one X user this morning who he is backing at the next general election, Mr Cummings bluntly replied: “Dunno yet but obviously everyone should vote Reform this spring.”
He added: “No downsides, just upsides.”
It’s the latest defection to Reform UK, following a number of former MPs, donors and advisors over the past few months.
Reacting, Nigel Farage delighted in Mr Cummings’ change of heart, telling the Express: “The architect of the 2019 Conservative landslide now recognises that the Tory brand is dead and Reform is the only alternative to a terrible Labour Government.”
Dominic Cummings came out with the endorsement this afternoon (Image: Getty)
Reacting to the news, Reform’s deputy leader Richard Tice told the Express: “Mr Cummings is among so many now recognising that Reform UK is the only party who can save Britain.”
Dominic Cummings served at the heart of Downing Street under Boris Johnson, before departing after a spectacular falling out with the PM in 2021.
He then embarked on a campaign to remove him from power, leaking stories about Partygate to the media.
His endorsement of Reform UK, at least at this year’s local elections, is a big change of heart towards Nigel Farage by the former Vote Leave chief.
During the Brexit referendum, Mr Cummings was intent on refusing to work with the then-UKIP leader, claiming his political brand was a turn off for many potential Brexit voters.
While Mr Cummings has floated starting a new party of his own, a week ago he called on Donald Trump to help bring about a merger of the Tories and Reform UK.
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Nigel Farage welcomed Mr Cummings’ endorsement (Image: Getty)
In a post to his Substack blog, Mr Cummings said Britain needs a group to “break the coalition supporting Starmer” and deliver “regime change”.
“What to do? Summary: shove out Kemi ASAP, take over Tories, get Trump/Elon to facilitate a merger with Reform, tip in a Third Force of elite talent and mass energy so voters see an essentially new political force whose essence is a decisive break with 1992-2024… break the coalition supporting Starmer, take over No 10, do regime change.”
Nigel Farage’s party is hoping for big gains on May 1 this year, despite the fact many council elections in Reform target areas have been cancelled due to a local government reorganisation.
Reform UK currently has 72 councillors, with another Tory defection taking place in Cornwall this week.
Speaking to the Express at a press conference earlier this month, Mr Farage said his working target for the local elections is 175 gains, though this would have been higher had elections in places like Essex and Norfolk not been scrapped.
The party will formally launch its local campaign at a huge rally in Birmingham next month, with hundreds set to turn up.
Mr Farage has raged at Angela Rayner following her confirmation that millions will no longer get a vote this may.
He said he was “blooming angry” at the “completely outrageous” decision at an emergency press conference.
However, he teased that voters still getting to elect councillors in May are in for a “big surprise” when Reform sets out its local elections manifesto in the coming weeks.
Mr Farage revealed to the Daily Express that Reform has been quietly submitting thousands of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests that will reveal scandalous levels of waste by current councils.
He later suggested one revelation would be the levels of social housing currently being given to people not born in Britain.
Dominic Cummings Calls on Voters to Back Reform UK in Bombshell Political Intervention
Dominic Cummings has once again thrust himself into Britain’s political debate, with a reported call for voters to back Reform UK raising fresh questions about the future of the Conservative Party, Nigel Farage’s growing influence and the possibility of a major realignment on the British right.
Cummings, the former chief adviser to Boris Johnson and one of the most controversial figures associated with the Brexit campaign, has long been an outspoken critic of Westminster’s political establishment. His views carry particular significance because he played a central role in the campaign that helped deliver Britain’s departure from the European Union and later became an influential figure inside Downing Street.
An endorsement of Reform UK from someone with his political background would be notable. Cummings understands the machinery of government, the importance of electoral strategy and the weaknesses that can undermine a governing party. His intervention could therefore encourage supporters of political change to consider whether Farage’s movement represents a viable alternative to the traditional parties.
However, political endorsements do not automatically translate into votes. Whether Cummings can influence public opinion will depend on the arguments he makes, the credibility voters attach to his judgement and Reform’s ability to demonstrate that it can turn its ambitions into practical policies.
The potential significance of the intervention lies in the broader question it raises: could Reform UK become the principal destination for voters who have lost confidence in the Conservatives and Labour?
Why Dominic Cummings’ Opinion Matters
Cummings is not a conventional political defector. He has never been a typical Conservative politician, and his influence has largely come from political strategy, campaigning and his ability to challenge established assumptions.
His role in the Vote Leave campaign made him one of the most recognisable figures behind Brexit. He later became a central adviser to Johnson during the early period of his premiership, helping shape the government’s political approach before their relationship broke down.
Since leaving Downing Street, Cummings has repeatedly criticised the way British government operates. He has argued that the country needs fundamental changes to its institutions, decision-making processes and approach to public administration.
That background helps explain why his views on Reform UK could attract attention. He understands the weaknesses that can undermine political movements, including poor organisation, internal rivalries and the difficulty of converting popular messages into effective government.
Cummings has previously discussed Farage’s prospects in favourable terms, while emphasising the importance of building a capable team around the Reform leader. His assessment suggests that winning public attention is only one part of the challenge.
For Reform, the support of an experienced political strategist could help strengthen its argument that Britain needs an alternative to the established parties. But Cummings’ reputation is also controversial, meaning his involvement could attract criticism as well as support.
A Growing Realignment on the Right
The relationship between Reform UK and the Conservatives has become one of the most important developments in British politics.
For years, the Conservatives dominated the centre-right of British politics, attracting voters concerned about taxation, immigration, national sovereignty and economic management. Reform has challenged that position by arguing that the Conservatives failed to deliver sufficiently on several of those priorities.
Farage’s strategy has been to present Reform as the party willing to pursue more decisive changes. This approach has attracted voters who previously supported the Conservatives, as well as people who have become disillusioned with Labour.
Cummings’ reported intervention could reinforce the perception that Reform is becoming a more significant destination for those seeking political change.
However, the shift also creates a strategic dilemma for the Conservatives. If they move closer to Reform’s positions, they risk appearing to follow Farage rather than offering a distinct programme. If they reject his proposals, they may struggle to win back voters who believe the party has abandoned its traditional commitments.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch faces the difficult task of rebuilding her party’s credibility while preventing further losses to Reform. She must convince voters that the Conservatives can offer both effective leadership and a realistic alternative to the government.
The competition is not simply about individual policies. It is also about which party voters believe understands their concerns and can be trusted to deliver change.
Can Reform UK Become a Party of Government?
Reform’s growing political influence has brought a more difficult question into focus: does the party have the people, policies and organisational capacity required to govern Britain?
An effective election campaign needs a compelling message, but running a government requires much more. Ministers must manage complex departments, oversee public spending, respond to international crises and make decisions that affect millions of people.
Cummings’ experience inside government means he is familiar with the difference between winning political arguments and implementing policy.
For Reform, the challenge is to demonstrate that it can recruit capable candidates and develop a team that extends beyond its most prominent figures. Voters who are frustrated with Labour and the Conservatives may be attracted to the promise of change, but they will also want reassurance that a new government would be competent.
Immigration, public services, taxation and economic growth are likely to remain central to that debate. Reform will need to explain how its proposals would work, how they would be financed and what practical outcomes voters could expect.
It must also demonstrate that it can manage disagreements within its own ranks. Rapid political growth can create tensions between established figures, new recruits and local representatives, particularly when they disagree over priorities.
A party seeking to replace the government must convince the public that it can maintain discipline while adapting to the demands of national leadership.
Labour Cannot Ignore the Warning
Although the debate surrounding Cummings and Reform is primarily associated with the political right, its implications extend to Labour.
When voters become dissatisfied with the government, their support does not necessarily return to the Conservatives. Reform’s appeal has demonstrated that a section of the electorate is prepared to consider alternatives outside the traditional two-party contest.
Labour therefore faces a challenge that cannot be resolved simply by criticising Farage or warning about the consequences of a Reform government.
The party must address concerns about living standards, public services, housing, immigration and confidence in political leadership. If voters believe their everyday problems remain unresolved, they may continue to look for alternatives regardless of the government’s electoral mandate.
At the same time, Reform must be careful not to assume that all dissatisfaction with Labour translates into support for its own programme. Some voters may prefer other opposition parties, while others may remain undecided.
The next stage of British politics will depend on whether the established parties can regain public confidence and whether Reform can turn its growing profile into durable electoral support.
The Road to the Next General Election
The significance of Cummings’ reported call to support Reform UK ultimately depends on whether it forms part of a wider movement towards Farage or remains an isolated political intervention.
Endorsements from influential figures can generate headlines, attract attention and encourage supporters to reconsider their political choices. But elections are decided by voters, and a prominent name cannot substitute for a convincing programme or an effective campaign.
Reform will need to maintain its support, strengthen its organisation and demonstrate that its candidates are prepared for the responsibilities of public office.
Farage must also show that he can appeal to voters beyond those who already share his views on immigration, Brexit and the political establishment. Building a winning coalition will require addressing the concerns of people whose priorities include the NHS, education, pensions, employment and economic stability.
For Cummings, the question is whether Reform represents the vehicle most capable of delivering the political changes he believes Britain needs. For Farage, the opportunity is to gain further credibility among voters who want a decisive break with established politics.
For Labour and the Conservatives, the warning is that the political landscape can change quickly when public confidence begins to erode.
Ultimately, the biggest question is whether Reform UK can transform political momentum into a credible route to power. Cummings’ views may add weight to that debate, but the party’s future will depend on its own decisions, its candidates and the confidence it can earn from the electorate.
If Reform can demonstrate that it is capable of governing as well as campaigning, it could strengthen its position as a serious contender for national power. If it fails to meet those expectations, the enthusiasm surrounding its rise may prove more difficult to sustain.
The next general election will provide the clearest test of whether Farage’s movement can reshape British politics for the long term.