Crisis-hit Nigel Farage has turned to Miles Goslett, a researcher known for his work with Lord Michael Ashcroft, to rescue his struggling Reform UK operation, reports BritPanorama.
Just 24 hours after a BMG poll suggested that a Labour party led by Andy Burnham has overtaken Reform UK by a single point, Mr Farage announced Mr Goslett as his new chief of communications.
This development follows a series of setbacks for Farage’s party, including donation scandals and a defeat to Burnham in the Makerfield by-election.
Mr Goslett, previously employed by Lord Ashcroft, has assisted in producing several critical books targeting prominent Labour figures, including Angela Rayner and current Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Recently, he had been involved in writing a book about Farage titled The Farage Factor.
A source from Reform indicated that Mr Goslett will focus on long-term strategies rather than daily press inquiries, contributing to opposition research and content production. They described him as “a massive addition.”
Meanwhile, Mr Farage, who withdrew from a scheduled interview with the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, is reportedly exploring the potential of social media channels and a podcast to disseminate his messages without facing challenging questions.
Goslett’s appointment comes as Mr Farage has ceased his weekly press conferences amidst scrutiny over a £5 million donation from Thailand-based crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne and questions regarding his undeclared properties.
The party has seen a decline in support, dropping from 35 percent in polls last year to approximately 24 percent currently. Although Reform secured 1,452 English council seats and finished second in Wales and Scotland during recent elections, they reportedly lost out on an additional 500 seats due to controversial rhetoric on immigration.
In the Makerfield by-election, Reform suffered a heavy defeat, raising concerns over candidate selection, particularly following revelations regarding the controversial online history of their candidate Robert Kenyon. Zia Yusuf, Reform’s home affairs spokesperson, has highlighted ongoing tensions with Tory defector Robert Jenrick, claiming he has been blocked from contesting in by-elections.
