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2026-02-18 01:37:40
[Reform Party, Leading in Polls, Announces Shadow Cabinet, Plans to Appoint Former Conservative Party Leader Jenrick as Chancellor] Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform Party, announced that if the party wins the next general election, he will formally appoint Robert Jenrick as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Currently, the Reform Party consistently leads in various polls. Farage announced his appointed shadow cabinet—a team formed by a non-governing party in preparation for taking power. Deputy leader Richard Tice has been assigned to oversee a package of business, trade, and energy-related matters, while policy director Zia Yusuf has been tasked with handling domestic affairs, including immigration, a key factor driving the Reform Party's rising approval ratings. Since April last year, Farage's Reform Party has consistently topped national polls. He has pledged to professionalize the party and prepare for governing, and Tuesday's appointment announcement marks a significant step in this process. It is worth noting that the Reform Party won only 5 out of 650 seats in the 2024 House of Commons election, which greatly limited Farage's ability to form a leadership team that could effectively speak in Parliament. The addition of former Conservative Party member Jenrick may help the Reform Party improve its governing image.
