Politics
Another Reform candidate stands accused of using AI
Reform Party UK Exposed have flagged that one of Nigel Farage’s council candidates was seemingly using AI:
Reform UK’s candidate @SophiePrestonHa’s Facebook posts being flagged as AI info is pretty much par for the course.
Lazy. pic.twitter.com/boQKwk7EyK
— Reform Party UK Exposed
Looking into it, Facebook no longer seems to be flagging the post as ‘AI’, but signs are there that it was at some point. And it’s far from the only example of Reform UK dabbling with AI.
I, Reformbot
The following is the post as highlighted by Reform Exposed (note the ‘AI info’ tag in the second to top line):
Facebook flags posts as ‘AI info’ whenever they detect AI (or the poster flags that they used it). Hall’s post no longer contains the label, but locals did react to the label when it was there:
Hall could have used AI to generate the text, or Facebook could have detected that AI was used in her ‘Essex Deserves Better’ leaflet. Reform and its candidates have certainly used AI to generate images before, as the Canary and Reform Exposed have covered:
Back in February 2022, @drdavidbull and I spent weeks in Erdington leading a newly rebranded Reform UK. My team and I knocked on thousands of doors in all weathers, speaking to anyone who would listen, putting everything we had into that campaign. In the end, we received just 293… pic.twitter.com/aWBAv6hxAE
— Richard Tice MP
We need to talk about @DonnaLouise1212. Ex UKIP, now Reform UK.
Yes, the one who uses AI photos of herself to farm engagement. pic.twitter.com/TM8WTejlKA — Reform Party UK Exposed
Reform politicians have also used AI to attack their opponents:
It's @DarrenGrimes using AI again. It's all he's got.
To answer his question, probably ask why a Green Party activist can't spell Zack. pic.twitter.com/w1O7z0hEEI — Reform Party UK Exposed
Seeing double
Reform Exposed have previously reported that Hall is one of several Reform candidates who were “doubling up”:
Reform UK are obviously struggling for candidates in Essex.
They’re doubling up all over the place.
Sophie Preston-Hall lives in Mersea, is standing for Colchester City Council in Prettygate, but also for Essex Council in Rochford.
Aimee Keteca is already a Reform UK councillor on Tendring District Council, and is standing for Essex Council in Brightlingsea BUT is also a candidate for Colchester City Council in Tiptree.
Wonder how they are going to do their role(s) justice.
Obviously it’s a worse deal for residents to have councillors whose attention is split across multiple roles. Doubling up does allow the party to give the impression that it’s running pretty much everywhere, though, even when it’s not:
Just as we fielded more candidates than any other party last year – a history making event.
Few appreciate just what @Nigel_Farage has built in the blink of an eye.
Huge…
— Zia Yusuf (@ZiaYusufUK) April 10, 2026
On this front, Reform have also sought to find so-called ‘paper’ candidates. As the Guardian reported:
Those who have been asked to stand include members of other parties and even a Guardian journalist, who was asked in a call last week: “Will you come in to become a paper candidate today and help us to win the election?” The caller added: “Just have your name on the ballot and maybe you will actually win the election.”
Prospective paper candidates are told they would not need to do anything apart from provide their name and address. They are then asked if they are bankrupt and if they have any criminal convictions, before being offered a candidate application pack.
It’s not unheard of for political parties to field paper candidates to make up the numbers. The difference with Reform is that they’re not just asking their own members; they’re asking people who’ve signed up to their mailing list.
Is this who we want running our councils?
Absolute randoms?
And all because Farage’s party want to juice their numbers?
Oh, and Hall isn’t the only candidate attracting controversy in Essex:
Meet Jaymey McIvor. He is standing to represent local residents on Essex County Council. — Parody Nigel Farage (@Parody_PM) April 22, 2026
Oh, and he got kicked out of the Tory party for sending dick pics. https://t.co/8rPs8MIWCl
A Reform Counsellor…
Hall is also on the record for misspelling ‘councillor’:
Reform UK’s Sophie Preston-Hall is standing to be a Counsellor. pic.twitter.com/iKZTM0KZZO
— Reform Party UK Exposed
As an experienced wroter, I’ve got to say I find the above to be completely unacceptable.
Jokes aside, the problem isn’t whether these Reform candidates can spell ‘councillor’; it’s whether they care or know what a councillor is, and whether they have any intention of putting the effort in.
Featured image via The Canary
By Willem Moore
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