By GB News (Politics) | Created at 2024-12-21 16:21:00 | Updated at 2024-12-22 03:30:49
11 hours ago
Nigel Farage has announced that 1,000 young people have joined Reform UK in less than 48 hours, following the party's launch of discounted membership for under-25s.
The party is offering £10 memberships to those aged 25 and under, as part of its strategy to attract younger voters.
The membership surge comes as Reform UK recently passed the 100,000-member mark, according to party sources.
The initiative mirrors strategies used in American politics, with Reform UK planning to utilise popular podcasts and new media to speak to younger generations of voters.
Farage has said Reform UK are on the rise with young people
PA
Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf
GB News
Reform UK's youth strategy comes as the Conservative Party grapples with an aging voter base, with the average Tory voter now aged 63.
This represents a dramatic shift from 2019, when the Conservative "crossover age" was just 39 under Boris Johnson's leadership.
YouGov polling taken shortly after the July General Election among 18-24 year old voters found young men were more likely to vote Reform UK over their female counterparts (12 per cent to six per cent) and Conservative (10 per cent to six per cent).
On the other hand, almost twice as many young women voted for the Greens than young men (23 per cent to 12 per cent).
The five Reform UK MPs
REFORM UK
Reform UK's future prospects could be bolstered by significant financial backing, with new treasurer Nick Candy suggesting he could raise up to £40m before the next general election.
Reports indicate that Elon Musk might contribute an additional $100m (£80m), though Farage has described this figure as "for the birds."
The party is setting its sights on the 2025 local elections, where 2,334 council wards will be up for grabs.
These elections include contests in all five current Reform MPs' constituencies, with particular focus on the east and southeast of England.
