Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has adjusted key tax cut pledges as he seeks to present his party as a credible economic force ahead of the upcoming general election, according to a report released today. While maintaining a commitment to raising the personal allowance,Farage has scaled back promises of broader tax reductions,signaling a shift towards fiscal obligation in an attempt to appeal to a wider electorate.
The move comes as Reform UK aims to capitalize on growing dissatisfaction with the mainstream parties’ economic policies, but faces scrutiny over the affordability of its proposals. The party, currently polling in third place, hopes a more measured approach to taxation will reassure voters concerned about government spending and national debt, potentially broadening its appeal beyond its core base and influencing the outcome of the July 4th election.
Farage initially proposed a meaningful reduction in fuel duty and a cut to VAT, but has now emphasized a focus on simplifying the tax system and reducing the overall tax burden through efficiency savings. He reiterated a pledge to raise the personal allowance – the amount of income peopel can earn before paying tax – to £20,000, a move he claims would benefit 30 million workers.
“We are not going to be able to deliver everything we’d like to deliver in year one,” Farage told reporters. “What we want to do is get the country back on its feet, and that means being responsible with taxpayers’ money.”
The revised stance represents a departure from some of the more aspiring promises made earlier in the campaign. Reform UK’s economic proposals have faced criticism from economists who questioned their feasibility and potential impact on public finances. The party maintains that its plans are fully costed and achievable through a combination of spending cuts and economic growth.
The shift in emphasis reflects a broader strategy to position Reform UK as a serious contender in the election,moving beyond its image as a protest party. By focusing on economic credibility, Farage hopes to attract voters disillusioned with both the Conservative and Labor parties, potentially disrupting the conventional two-party system.
