Reform's Rupert Lowe suspended

MayBee70

Did they attend the first reading?

The first reading is the formal presentation of the bill and doesn’t involve any debate.

The Second Reading debate will focus on the principles and purposes of the Bill. Amendments to the text of the Bill are not permitted at this stage. However, opposition parties can table a reasoned amendment setting out their reasons for opposing the Bill at Second Reading.

The 317-page Bill is the largest presented to Parliament so far this Session – will be considered by MPs just 13 calendar days after its introduction to the House of Commons, giving relatively little time for MPs to thoroughly scrutinise its contents.

This is the kind of thing I was referring to upthread, that Reform hasn't appointed spokespersons for specific areas of government e.g. a spokesperson for Home Affairs which, considering their repeated on emphasis on "saving our country", one would have expected them to do at the very least.

Iam64

I have more problems wuth Reform than it’s backing if ‘country sports’ Churchview. Having said that, if I was a supporter who witnessed the horrifying hounding to death of the stag,- my support would have ended.

The country sports issue isn't my only problem with Reform but it is definitely a key one for me.

I agree Casdon. What I unwittingly encountered was blatant animal cruelty, carried out by people out for a nice day out complete with smart tweed outfits, hunting horns and the sole intention of using their dogs and horses to chase magnificent wild creatures to their death.

Did they attend the first reading?

Tomorrow afternoon in the HoC could be interesting. Second reading of the Crime and Policing Bill which includes a section on implementing the recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse,. As Reform (including Lowe) have made a lot of noise about grooming, one would expect them (and Lowe as an independent) to be present for the debate on this.

Churchview

My problem with Reform is their backing of 'country sports'.

Last week, whilst out walking with friends, I witnessed the horrifying spectacle of the hunt hounding a red stag to its death within feet of a public footpath on Exmoor.

Later this year when see Farage's smiling face as raises a boxing day pint to the hunt I will sadly know first hand exactly what he is condoning.

There’s no need whatsoever for blood sports in our country.

I have no issue with either horses or hounds doing some form of “paper chase” whatsoever.

We are more civilised than this surely.

Shoot only to eat, or

Silverbrooks

Especially after bending over backwards.

😂😂😂😂😂

Chocolatelovinggran

Frankly, if we are relying on which - party- shall - I - belong -to -today Lee Anderson to " save our country " , his baring of any part of his anatomy will be the least of our problems . I do, however, acknowledge that it is rather a disturbing image.

Excellent entertaining posts about the Willy waving in Reform. Thanks everyone -mi needed a bit of light relief.

I have more problems wuth Reform than it’s backing if ‘country sports’ Churchview. Having said that, if I was a supporter who witnessed the horrifying hounding to death of the stag,- my support would have ended.

My problem with Reform is their backing of 'country sports'.

Last week, whilst out walking with friends, I witnessed the horrifying spectacle of the hunt hounding a red stag to its death within feet of a public footpath on Exmoor.

Later this year when see Farage's smiling face as raises a boxing day pint to the hunt I will sadly know first hand exactly what he is condoning.

Frankly, if we are relying on which - party- shall - I - belong -to -today Lee Anderson to " save our country " , his baring of any part of his anatomy will be the least of our problems . I do, however, acknowledge that it is rather a disturbing image.

Especially after bending over backwards.

Oh gosh, please don't bare anything, Lee! 😯

Just noticed that Lee Anderson says he "bares no malice".
Pedant alert......

Wyllow3

It doesn't sound like they are making it up to me:

Lee Anderson yesterday morning on X

"At Reform UK we have a monumental task on our hands in order to save our country.

There is a huge amount of pressure on Nigel and our team to deliver for the British public. I did not come into politics for personal gain, like my colleagues I stepped forward because I wanted to help save my country.

Joining Reform UK is the best thing I have ever done in politics and this is our last chance to turn things around in our country. But politics is a team game and we must work as a team. I was the first ever Reform UK MP and my first loyalty will always be to my country. I have a great deal of respect for Rupert Lowe and as his Chief Whip I have bent over backwards to be fair with him since he entered Parliament.

But his unwillingness to cooperate in an investigation into his behaviour has meant the Parliamentary party cannot function effectively whilst Rupert is a Reform UK MP.

There is far too much at stake and by not taking decisive action we would risk losing everything we have built up.

I bare no malice towards Rupert and to remove the whip was a deeply painful thing to do, but delivering for our country must come first and no man is bigger than our party.

Lee Anderson

Chief Whip"

Daily Mail yesterday "Rupert Lowe blasts Lee Anderson as a 'pathetic, vindictive' LIAR after chief whip said 'no man is bigger than our party' as Reform UK's civil war explodes"

7 hours ago "Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has defended the decision to suspend one of his MPs, as he warned against "constant infighting" within political parties.

Writing in the Telegraph, Farage acknowledged the row had "dented" the "sense of unity" in Reform but said it would have been "inconceivable" not to take action."

Reports 5 hours ago report on the internal row
www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/09/from-trump-whisperer-to-trouble-angry-reform-uk-mps-turn-on-farage

No it certainly doesn’t Wyllow3. They
need to get their act together if they want their party to continue. As for me I am completely off them, will not be voting next time round as I have no confidence in any of the politicians at the moment.

Thankyou Silverbrooks for re-dressing the balance.

They could manage to run a bath.

I do admire him donating all his salary to charity though.

Really? It will cost him £3,140 a month after the higher rate tax relief he will be able to offest against his other substantial incomes. He brags about donating one month's salary to Great Yarmouth Football Club while accepting four free season tickets from them worth £1,000. Give with one hand, take with another.

In the last two months alone, he has earned £12,750 from Musk for ranting for five hours a month on X. Why not donate that which would be more than twice as much?

How much is it a total personality clash/bids for power or disagreements over policy?

Probably right eazybee. Tice obviously stepped back for superstar Farage. The man of the people who is more recognised to front the brand.

However I think it’s tarnished now.

I don't think he would have any say in the matter!
(Don't know why I am sympathetic because I don't support Reform, just felt sorry for him when he was pushed out of the leadership but stayed loyal when Farage saw a chance of winning.)Andrew Pierce asked him did Farage discuss it with him before replacing him, and Tice tried to evade an answer, but Pierce just asked the same question gently several times interspersed with other questions, rather a better technique, until eventually he said they had 'discussed' it.
A sorry bunch, though.

I did too eazybee. I think she got frustrated because he wouldn’t give a simple ‘yes or no’ to a straight question. “If Rupert Lowe is acquitted of these charges would you allow him to be reinstated into the Party?”

Waffle, waffle …. 🤷‍♀️

I watched Richard Tice on GB news this morning with Camilla Tominey, difficult to know what he thought as, she barely allowed him to finish a single sentence, reminding him curtly: 'this is MY show.'

I am rather suspicious of this entire charade

Not being a reform voter, I have read RL’s side of things, and it brings up more questions than answers.

I do admire him donating all his salary to charity though.

Ten minutes of duck and waffle from Tice on Sky with TP if you can stand it:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj97rHL2l7E

Casdon

I’ve noticed that Richard Tice has been remarkably quiet about this issue, I wonder where his sympathies lie?

Have a look at last Wed's Questiontime on BBC1 he was questioned about it..

Silverbrooks

I can’t help thinking this is all a lot of small willy-waving from an equally small group of deeply unpleasant man who think they are more significant than they are. The “save the country” hubris from Anderson is straight out of Drawbridge Yusuf’s book of sycophancy. And what is this “no man is bigger than our party” nonsense? Has Anderson even read the Reform constitution which makes it virtually impossible to get rid of Farage? The individual posturing in the Telegraph is pathetic but the comments are interesting. They show how unpopular Reform is. Farage’s worshipping of Agent Orange has done him no favours - and that they are all (bar McMurdock possibly) in the pay of Musk won’t either.

“Willy waving”

Love it and agree