Reform grifters charging candidates £250 to stand as MP

Reform UK are charging prospective parliamentary candidates £250 to stand in upcoming elections.

Talk about pricing working-class people out of politics.

Reform are charging people £250 to apply to be a Parliamentary candidate. https://t.co/qbVAE9WZjF pic.twitter.com/yf3IvotzCf

— Evolve Politics (@evolvepolitics) February 9, 2026

Previously, the party charged £125 to apply to stand in Gorton and Denton. This was despite the party having zero intention of actually selecting them.

Why if Reform are hoping to persuade a ‘big name candidate’ to run in the by election have they asked members to pay £125 to apply when they have no intention of selecting them or giving them a fair shot?

It’s shameless money making off the backs of working class members pic.twitter.com/lDXfuLgUaF

— Sophie Corcoran (@sophielouisecc) January 25, 2026

Other political parties in the UK don’t do this. What’s making this situation worse is that Reform UK has the largest paid membership in the country, and is balls-deep in donations from dodgy donors.

Reform: grifters be grifting

Farage is a grifter – he always has been. Whether it’s selling crappy football shirts to try and raise a few quid, or outpricing working people from politics – his nerve has no end.

It’s just one big grift. https://t.co/ExXUjg5wIe

— Alwyn Maynard (@AlwynMaynard) February 10, 2026

“But don’t worry were for the average person” you just have to have a pile of cash to play in the first place. https://t.co/iUDToEvmaV

— viper (@vipersssssssss) February 10, 2026

Making the rich (ahem, Farage) even richer, whilst raising council tax and shafting the rest of us.

making the rich richer while they do absolutely fuck all for you. https://t.co/Wvn0EShazg

— kieran 🩵🎧ྀི (@AddiSpotify) February 9, 2026

Not very working class of them… https://t.co/03FqyVubf4

— DaAlien (@DaAlienBoy) February 10, 2026

Reform wants ‘loyal’ candidates. Does that translate to ex-Tory defectors? Or racists?

Strange thing…
Been emailed by ‘Reform Ltd’ asking me to apply to be Parliamentary candidate!
They’re apparently after ’loyal’ people!
Given they are mostly Torys who’ve defected, I suppose ‘loyalty’ isn’t really essential.
Oh and it’s £250 for the privilege.
Grifters eh! pic.twitter.com/IPwjsp0yBV

— John Beare 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇪🇺 (@johnbearesnp) February 10, 2026

As the Canary’s Willem Moore previously reported:

To be fair, there is one good reason we can think of for the party doing this. Reform had to get rid of several MPs and councillors over the past several months as a result of them being racists, weirdoes, alleged criminals, etc. Perhaps they think they can reduce the number of freaks applying by introducing a charge?

Or maybe it’s just an attempt to keep poor people out of politics.

Imagine having to pay to apply for a job? It sounds like the world’s shittiest pyramid scheme.

Some of the funniest questions on the application form (yes, I had to go through the whole thing) included:

• Have you ever been convicted, cautioned, or investigated for a crime?
• Do you hold any dual passports, foreign passports or any overseas financial interests?
• Have you ever been approached by any foreign government, foreign institution or anyone with interests involving assets of hostile states?
• Have you ever been employed by, worked with, or accepted gifts/funding from foreign governments?

I’m guessing they’re all prerequisites? Only Russian assets with a history of domestic abuse are allowed?

My mate Dave is thinking about applying to be a Reform candidate. He’s always been a racist twat, but he’s got a good heart. Loves Farage! He’s looked at the application form and, apart from being put off by the price – £250 – isn’t sure he knows enough Russians. pic.twitter.com/dmrbg0xS23

— ThePeoplePuzzle (@ThePeoplePuzzle) February 9, 2026

Charging £250 to simply stand for a parliamentary seat, when in previous elections the powers that be have made it clear they want to parachute in big names, is nothing short of bullshit.

Farage claims to be a man of the people – but using money to block access to politics for working-class people is yet another example of why he cannot be trusted with power, or with cash.

Featured image via Reform UK