We're the party of workers and strivers, not shirkers and skivers

The only people Richard Tice wants out of a job are the Tories! The Reform deputy leader reveals his goal to take the party mainstream at the next election by attracting fed-up Conservative AND Labour voters to his cause

- By Adam Toms

BEFORE his meteoric rise as a bold Eurosceptic who fought for Brexit, Richard Tice largely flew under the radar as a Tory donor. In fact, it’s fair to say he could have walked most streets in Britain with little fanfare until a few short years ago.

So it’s quite the contrast today to see the Surrey-born high-flyer walking tall and clad in a navy suit and pink tie around the streets of his Skegness constituency in east Lincolnshire. Despite it being one of Britain’s most deprived towns, multi-millionaire Tice — also Reform UK’s deputy leader — seems to find camaraderie with everyone he meets. “People recognise me,” says the privately educated MP proudly. “They see me around. I’m putting Boston and Skegness back on the map.”

He breaks into a huge smile: “We are the party of the workers and the strivers, not the shirkers and the skivers.”

So what’s behind this remarkable public transformation?

Tice is on the charm offensive and, even though he’s not yet as high-profile as party leader Nigel Farage or chief whip, firebrand former Tory Lee Anderson, the steady flow of locals stopping to enthusiastically shake their MP's hand suggests his presence is welcome.

And his confidence is infectious.

Tice firmly believes Reform UK will overturn Sir Keir Starmer’s huge majority at the next general election, winning “all over the country, in huge numbers”.

Asked if the party is trying to broaden the scope of its support, Tice says: “Well, of course, to win an election, absolutely. But we stick to our principles and our conviction. And I think that's why we're doing well.”

These ideals are being regularly espoused by Farage in the party’s messaging: “Family, community, country.” Both men believe they are picking up disgruntled former Tory and Labour voters.