Nigel Farage will unveil his armed forces spokesperson on Thursday (Image: Getty)
Nigel Farage has appointed a former military officer as Reform UK’s defence spokesman. Senior RAF Regimented officer Angus MacIntyre helped Ukraine thwart Russian killers during Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion.
He has a military career spanning 40 years, having stood down as a commissioned Wing Commander in the Royal Air Force in order to take up the role with the party. Mr Farage said: “Having someone of Angus’ stature and calibre speak for us on defence shows how seriously Reform UK takes protecting the interests of Britain’s military.
“Angus has more experience than the entire government defence team combined. He is representative of our drive to bring into politics people with high-level and real-world experience – as opposed to career politicians – to run government departments.”
Mr MacIntyre has completed tours in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Iraq, and Somalia.
He has worked to support Ukraine since 2022 after the Russians launched their illegal invasion.
Serving as part of the NATO HQ in Brussels, he supported the UK Military Representative to NATO and was was awarded a commendation for his work in Kiev.
His appointment comes as Mr Farage accused Labour of “betraying” the armed forces and veterans by funding illegal migrants. Reform UK’s leader took aim at the ruling party while unveiling plans to offer extra support to service personnel buying a home.
He said: “Labour is betraying our armed forces and veterans. Whether it be failing to properly fund defence or veteran homelessness, they have chosen to fund illegal migrants instead of those who serve our country. Under a Reform government, a far greater proportion of armed forces personnel will be able to purchase their own home outright, helping to end the blight of veteran homelessness.”
His party will expand the existing Forces Help to Buy scheme for those serving in the armed forces, raising the cap on loans to 100% of a person’s yearly salary up to £50,000. The policy will cost up to £80million a year once established, the party said.
Armed forces personnel are currently eligible for a programme that offers interest-free loans of up to 50% up to a maximum of £25,000. Personnel typically pay this back over the course of 10 years from their post-tax income.
If the loan is over £10,000, HM Revenue and Customs considers it to be a “beneficial loan” and a taxable benefit-in-kind, meaning that they pay additional tax on the forgone interest that they otherwise would have paid on a commercial loan.
They also pay a small insurance surcharge each month to provide cover for the loan in the case of death-in-service or severe disability.
Reform UK said: “We would also end the punitive tax treatment that results in servicemen and women paying additional tax as a result of their taking out the loan, and remove the insurance surcharge, funding this directly from the government.”
Luke Pollard, Labour’s minister for defence readiness and industry, said: “The British people can’t afford national security to be treated as an afterthought. The fact it’s taken Reform nearly 2,000 days to appoint someone to focus on defence is an utter dereliction of duty by Nigel Farage.
“If Reform got into government, their Defenceless Plan would wave a white flag to our enemies and weaken our standing on the world stage – just when Labour has rebuilt our reputation.
“Farage’s ambivalence when it comes to the defence of the realm should come as no surprise. He’s spent years parroting Kremlin talking points, and his former leader in Wales is currently in prison for taking pro-Russian bribes.
“National security should be the first duty of any government or any party seeking to hold high office.”
Nigel Farage Accuses Labour of ‘Betraying’ Armed Forces While Unveiling Top Figure
Nigel Farage has launched a fierce attack on Andy Burnham’s Labour Government, accusing ministers of betraying Britain’s armed forces and veterans while unveiling a senior former military officer as Reform UK’s new defence spokesman.
The Reform UK leader used the announcement of Angus MacIntyre to highlight what he described as years of neglect, inadequate defence funding and a failure to provide proper support for military personnel.
The appointment is an important development in Reform UK’s efforts to strengthen its credentials on national security and demonstrate that the party can attract experienced figures from outside Westminster.
MacIntyre, a former Royal Air Force Wing Commander with a military career spanning approximately 40 years, has served in several international operations and worked closely with NATO on support for Ukraine.
Farage believes his appointment demonstrates that Reform is serious about rebuilding Britain’s military capabilities. However, Labour has responded by questioning the party’s own defence policies and accusing Farage of treating national security as an afterthought.
The dispute has opened another political battle over the future of Britain’s armed forces, military spending and the treatment of veterans.
Farage Accuses Labour of Betraying British Veterans
Speaking ahead of the announcement on November 5, 2026, Farage accused Labour of failing those who have served the country.
He argued that military personnel and veterans have been left struggling with inadequate financial support, housing difficulties and insufficient investment in defence.
Farage particularly criticised the government’s spending priorities, claiming that more support should be directed towards serving personnel and former members of the armed forces.
He said Labour was betraying military families by failing to provide sufficient resources for defence while prioritising other areas of public expenditure.
His criticism also focused on veteran homelessness, which remains an important issue for organisations supporting former service personnel.
Farage promised that a Reform government would expand the existing Forces Help to Buy scheme, allowing more military personnel to purchase their own homes.
Under the party’s proposal, eligible personnel would be able to receive loans worth up to 100 per cent of their annual salary, subject to a maximum of £50,000.
Reform estimates that the expanded programme could cost approximately £80 million annually once fully established.
The party also wants to remove the additional tax burden associated with certain interest-free military loans and abolish the insurance surcharge currently paid by participants.
Who Is Angus MacIntyre?
The central figure in Farage’s announcement is Angus MacIntyre, whose military experience has become the main selling point of Reform’s latest defence initiative.
MacIntyre spent approximately four decades serving in the British Armed Forces before leaving his position as a commissioned RAF Wing Commander to join Reform UK.
His military career began in the British Army in 1986.
He subsequently served alongside the Royal Marines and Parachute Regiment before transferring to the RAF Regiment in 1999.
Throughout his career, he undertook operational tours in several countries, including:
- Afghanistan.
- Kuwait.
- Sierra Leone.
- Liberia.
- Iraq.
- Somalia.
He also spent time working at NATO headquarters in Brussels and contributed to Britain’s support for Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
His work involved helping coordinate military assistance and supporting cooperation between Britain and its international partners.
MacIntyre also spent a year working at the Pentagon in the United States, contributing to strategic planning.
His experience in military operations, international security and defence policy gives him a background that differs considerably from that of many career politicians.
Farage praised his appointment, arguing that bringing people with practical experience into politics was essential if Reform wanted to prepare itself for government.
Reform Promises a Different Approach to Defence
MacIntyre has been equally critical of previous governments, arguing that both Labour and the Conservatives have contributed to the difficulties facing Britain’s armed forces.
He pointed to military reductions during the governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, followed by further concerns about military capability during the Conservative years.
He argued that the armed forces had been placed under sustained pressure and that Britain needed a long-term strategy to rebuild its military strength.
Reform has promised to increase defence spending and improve the effectiveness of military procurement.
The party has also discussed increasing defence expenditure to 3.5 per cent of GDP by 2035.
Farage has argued that Britain must reconsider its spending priorities and ensure that national security receives greater attention.
He believes that improving procurement procedures is just as important as increasing the overall defence budget.
This is a significant point because higher spending does not automatically translate into stronger military capabilities.
Britain also needs effective recruitment, properly maintained equipment, adequate training facilities and a reliable supply of ammunition and other essential resources.
Labour Hits Back at Farage
Labour was quick to respond to Reform’s announcement.
Defence minister Luke Pollard criticised Farage for taking so long to appoint a dedicated defence spokesman.
He argued that a political party seeking to govern Britain should have demonstrated a clear commitment to national security much earlier.
Pollard also questioned Reform’s wider policy programme, pointing out that its initial 100-day plan made no specific reference to defence or national security.
He described the party’s approach as a serious weakness at a time when international threats are becoming increasingly complicated.
Labour has also defended its own defence investment programme, arguing that the government is working to rebuild military capabilities and strengthen Britain’s international reputation.
The disagreement demonstrates that both parties are attempting to present themselves as more credible defenders of Britain’s national security.
For Labour, the challenge is to demonstrate that its spending commitments will translate into tangible improvements for military personnel.
For Reform, the challenge is to prove that its promises are financially realistic and supported by detailed policies.
The Controversy Over Northern Ireland Veterans
Another important issue raised during the announcement concerns former military personnel facing legal proceedings over historical operations.
MacIntyre has strongly criticised what he describes as the repeated prosecution of veterans who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.
He has promised that a Reform government would introduce legislation to end ongoing and future prosecutions relating to sanctioned military operations, subject to specific exceptions.
He has also proposed introducing a 10-year limitation period for bringing legal proceedings following an incident.
His argument is that former service personnel should not spend decades facing uncertainty over actions undertaken during dangerous military operations.
However, the issue is legally and politically complicated.
Any new legislation would need to consider the rights of victims, the obligations of the UK under international law and the importance of investigating credible allegations of serious wrongdoing.
Supporters of stronger veteran protections argue that former soldiers deserve legal certainty and fair treatment.
Critics warn that blanket restrictions on prosecutions could undermine accountability and prevent victims from obtaining justice.
The debate therefore requires careful consideration rather than simple political promises.
Ukraine and NATO Remain Central to Britain’s Defence Future
MacIntyre’s experience working with NATO and supporting Ukraine is particularly relevant given the current international security environment.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has forced European governments to reconsider their military capabilities and defence commitments.
Britain has played an important role in supporting Kyiv through military assistance, training and international cooperation.
The future of this support remains an important question for all major political parties.
NATO cooperation is equally significant.
Britain relies on its relationships with European allies and the United States to maintain collective security.
Any future government will need to ensure that British defence spending is supported by effective international partnerships.
MacIntyre’s experience at NATO headquarters could therefore become an important part of Reform’s attempt to develop a more detailed foreign and defence policy.
However, the party will also need to explain how its proposals would work alongside existing commitments to NATO and Ukraine.
Can Reform Convince Voters It Is Ready to Govern?
The appointment of a senior former military officer represents an effort by Reform to strengthen its policy credentials.
Farage has repeatedly argued that Britain needs experienced professionals rather than politicians who have spent their entire careers inside Westminster.
MacIntyre’s military background provides Reform with an opportunity to demonstrate that it can attract individuals with practical experience.
Nevertheless, appointing an experienced spokesman is only the beginning.
The party must now produce detailed policies covering military recruitment, defence procurement, personnel welfare, military housing and Britain’s international commitments.
It must also explain how its proposed spending increases would be financed.
Labour, meanwhile, faces questions about whether its own defence commitments are sufficient to meet Britain’s security requirements.
Both parties will be judged not simply on their speeches but on the practical results of their policies.
Conclusion: Britain’s Armed Forces Become a Major Political Battleground
Nigel Farage’s decision to appoint Angus MacIntyre as Reform UK’s armed forces spokesman marks a significant development in the party’s attempt to establish itself as a credible alternative government.
His accusations that Labour has betrayed military personnel and veterans have intensified the political debate over defence spending, housing support and the treatment of former service members.
MacIntyre brings extensive military experience, including operational service in several countries and involvement in NATO’s support for Ukraine.
However, Reform must now demonstrate that its promises can be translated into realistic policies that strengthen Britain’s armed forces.
For Andy Burnham’s government, the challenge is to show that its defence investment plans are delivering meaningful improvements rather than simply producing political announcements.
The wider debate should ultimately focus on the needs of serving personnel, veterans and the country’s long-term security.
Britain’s armed forces require adequate funding, effective leadership, modern equipment and proper support for those who have served.
Regardless of which party ultimately governs, these responsibilities cannot be treated as secondary political issues.