Reform Accused Of ‘Panicking’ After U-Turning Over Bombing Iran

Reform UK has been accused of backpedalling “in panic” over its previous enthusiasm for the UK to back the US and Israel bombing Iran.

Senior figures in the party vocally supported the military action after it was launched just over a week ago.

Nadhim Zahawi, the former Tory chancellor who defected to Reform earlier this year, even said: “We should join the bombing if needed.”

Last week, party leader Nigel Farage said: “We should do all we can to support the operation. I make that perfectly, perfectly clear.”

He added: ”“The gloves need to come off, we need to accept that we are part of this with the Americans and the Israelis. We have to take the gloves off. We have to get rid of this regime.”

Deputy leader Richard Tice also urged Britain to be “responsible” and support our allies on X last week.

Responding to a social media critic, he wrote: “What is your plan? Wait til the Iranian regime commits another terrorist outrage in the UK, directly or via proxy, then wring your hands? Or just rely on US to protect us?

But in a major U-turn, Farage told a press conference on Tuesday: “If we can’t even defend Cyprus, let’s not get ourselves involved in another foreign war.”

His change of heart comes after a spike in global oil prices led to warnings of higher mortgage rates, petrol prices and inflation.

A Labour source said: “Nigel Farage and Reform spent the past week saying they would bomb Iran.

“Now they’re backtracking as petrol prices rise, leaving their foreign policy in chaos. That’s not serious leadership, that’s panic.”

British voters are becoming increasingly opposed to the conflict, with 59% of voters now saying it’s a bad idea compared to 49% last week.

Pollsters at YouGov say support remains steady at 25%.