Reform UK’s former deputy leader has launched a new political party.
Ben Habib, who served as deputy to then-leader Richard Tice from October 2023 – July 2024, had already set out his intention to form a party positioned to the right of Reform UK.
Habib stood as a parliamentary candidate for Reform on two occasions, first in a 2024 by-election in the Wellingborough constituency and later at the 2024 general election in the successor seat of Wellingborough and Rushden. Habib finished third on 21.5 per cent of the vote in this latter attempt.
His new party comes after a reported fall-out with Nigel Farage. Habib was removed as Reform’s deputy leader after Farage returned to frontline politics in July last year to lead the party into the general election.
Habib officially quit Reform UK on 28 November 2024, citing concerns over the party’s structure as well as “fundamental differences” with Farage.
The new party will be known as Advance UK, Habib said in a post to X (formerly Twitter).
The former Brexit Party MEP wrote: “My team and I have been working furiously for the last few months to establish the foundations of a political party which is capable of saving our United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
“I am delighted to launch that party today: Advance UK.
“The party will stand for the entire country in all its parts and for all its people. We will fight for nation, freedom of speech, democracy and equality before the law. We will not flinch.
“We will not pander to false narratives designed to damage our country. We will be for the British people and by the British people. The party will itself be democratic.
“We will assemble the brightest and bravest in our college and executive. They will work tirelessly, without fear or favour, to formulate the policies and recruit the candidates required to fulfil our mission.
“If our country is to be saved it must be saved by its people. No one person is capable of doing so. Only by assembling the best and bravest can we succeed.”
Habib said his party’s first goal is to reach 30,000 members and that he would be “discounting our membership fee to £10 per annum until that goal is achieved.”
He added: “When it is, we will have the required support to become a fully fledged party. I will stand shoulder to shoulder with you. When we get to 30,000 members, I will donate £100,000 to the party to ensure we have the fire power to move forward.
“With your support and only with your support can we fulfil our mission. Please join our party at http://advanceuk.org.uk.”
The new party’s creation will prompt speculation that Rupert Lowe, the independent MP for Great Yarmouth, could join it after he too fell out with Farage in a high-profile row.
Habib, a former donor to the Conservative Party, has been a longtime supporter of Lowe. In March 2025, he referred to Lowe’s suspension as a Reform MP as “an injustice”.
Habib accused Farage and then-Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf of “trumping up complaints against” Lowe to oust a possible rival.
Josh Self is editor of Politics.co.uk, follow him on Bluesky here and X here.
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