A History of Scandals: Tories And Reform Are Eggs From The Same Basket

The political sphere has long been a fertile ground for scandal, and the UK is no exception. From affairs to allegations of indecent behaviour, to ourtight bigotry, British politicians across the spectrum have faced public scrutiny for their actions. The following delves into the history of unacceptable behaviour by Conservative and Reform UK politicians, focusing on the recent controversy surrounding Reform UK councillor Jaymey McIvor and tracing a pattern of such behaviour within these political circles.

The McIvor Controversy

Jaymey McIvor, a councillor for Reform UK, has been at the centre of controversy following allegations that he was expelled from the Conservative Party for sending an unsolicited picture of his genitals. The incident reportedly occurred last year, and sources claim McIvor was removed from the party after an internal investigation. Despite these allegations, McIvor denies any wrongdoing, stating to the BBC: “I did not send a picture of my genitals.”

Initially set to stand as a Conservative parliamentary candidate, McIvor’s political trajectory took a sharp turn following the accusations. Reform UK welcomed him as its first Essex councillor, and he has since become a prominent figure within the party, even speaking at a rally hosted by Nigel Farage in the east of England.

The controversy resurfaced during a council meeting this week when Labour councillor Aidan McGurran accused McIvor of misrepresentation and indecent conduct. McGurran declared: “The reason is you sent an unsolicited picture of your private parts, which is a criminal offence. Tell people that and see what they think of it then.” McIvor remained silent during the meeting and later commented that the focus should be on local governance rather than personal matters.

While McIvor continues to deny the allegations, the fallout has sparked debates on transparency, accountability, and the culture of political misconduct.

Historical Context: Tory Scandals

The allegations against McIvor are not an isolated incident within Conservative politics. Over the years, numerous Tory politicians have faced accusations of inappropriate or lewd behaviour, leading to resignations, expulsions, and public outrage.

1. John Major and Edwina Currie Former Prime Minister John Major’s image as a proponent of traditional family values was shattered when it emerged that he had a four-year extramarital affair with Conservative MP Edwina Currie during the 1980s. The revelation came as a blow to his credibility, particularly as he had spearheaded the “Back-to-Basics” campaign in the 1990s, which focused on morality and family values.
2. David Mellor’s Scandal David Mellor, a senior Conservative politician, was embroiled in a scandal in 1992 when details of his affair with actress Antonia de Sancha became public. The tabloids had a field day, with sensationalist headlines and lurid details about his personal life. Mellor eventually resigned under the weight of public and media pressure.
3. Tim Yeo’s Secret Love Child In the same period, Tim Yeo, a Conservative MP, was revealed to have fathered a child outside his marriage with a Conservative councillor. The scandal directly contradicted his public stance on family values, leading to significant criticism.
4. Piers Merchant’s Affair with a Teenage Barmaid In 1997, Conservative MP Piers Merchant resigned after reports surfaced about his affair with a 17-year-old barmaid. The scandal included photographic evidence, further humiliating the party.
5. Neil Hamilton and the Cash-for-Questions Scandal While primarily known for accepting bribes in exchange for parliamentary questions, Neil Hamilton also faced allegations of lewd behaviour when claims emerged about his and his wife Christine’s attendance at sex parties. Though they denied the accusations, the incident tarnished their reputations.
6. Damian Green’s Dismissal In 2017, Damian Green, then Deputy Prime Minister, resigned after pornography was discovered on his parliamentary computer during an investigation. While Green denied downloading the material, the scandal highlighted inappropriate behaviour at the highest levels of government.
7. Charlie Elphicke’s Sexual Assault Convictions Former Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke was convicted in 2020 of sexually assaulting two women. The court heard details of his predatory behaviour, which included groping and chasing a young woman around his home. Elphicke received a prison sentence, drawing widespread condemnation.
8. Mark Field and the Climate Protester In 2019, Mark Field, a Conservative MP, whose family broke up following an affair with Liz Truss, faced backlash after forcibly grabbing a female climate change protester at a black-tie event.
9. Andrew Griffiths’ Explicit Texts Andrew Griffiths, a Conservative MP, resigned in 2018 after sending thousands of explicit messages to two female constituents. The texts, which included graphic sexual content, were widely reported in the media, forcing him to step down.

Reform UK, UKIP and Brexit Party: A New Party, Familiar Scandals

Reform UK, a relatively new political entity, has sought to position itself as a challenger to the established parties. However, it has not been immune to controversy. The party’s embrace of McIvor despite the allegations against him has raised questions about its vetting processes and commitment to ethical standards.

1. John Tennant and Misconduct Allegations John Tennant, a prominent Reform UK figure and former Brexit Party MEP, faced scrutiny over allegations of bullying and misuse of expenses during his tenure as a councillor in County Durham. Tennant’s conduct raised concerns about accountability within Reform UK.
2. Claire Fox’s Controversial Comments Baroness Claire Fox, a Reform UK ally, has sparked outrage for her controversial comments on issues like child abuse and terrorism. Critics argue that her rhetoric undermines the party’s claims of moral superiority.
3. Nigel Farage’s Ties to Extremists Nigel Farage’s associations with far-right figures and his divisive remarks have tarnished Reform UK’s image. Farage’s leadership style has been criticised for prioritising publicity over principle.
4. Defections and Ethical Questions Multiple councillors who defected to Reform UK have been accused of unethical behaviour, including abandoning their constituents without triggering by-elections. This pattern has drawn accusations of opportunism and a lack of transparency.
5. Racism and Homophobia Allegations (June 2024): An undercover investigation by Channel 4 News revealed Reform UK campaigners making racist and homophobic remarks. One volunteer was recorded using a racial slur against Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. These revelations led to public outcry and internal turmoil within the party. BBC
6. Candidate Dismissals (June 2024): Following the scandal, Reform UK withdrew support for three election candidates—Edward Oakenfull (Derbyshire Dales), Robert Lomas (Barnsley North), and Leslie Lilley (Southend East and Rochford)—due to offensive comments. These actions were part of the party’s efforts to address the backlash from the racism and homophobia allegations. BBC
7. Defection Amid Bigotry Claims (June 2024): A Reform UK candidate defected to the Conservative Party, alleging that the majority of Reform UK candidates were “racist, misogynistic, and bigoted.” This defection further intensified scrutiny of the party’s internal culture and candidate vetting processes. POLITICO
8. Leadership Criticism (January 2025): Elon Musk, who had previously shown support for Reform UK, publicly criticized Nigel Farage’s leadership, stating that Farage “doesn’t have what it takes” and suggesting the need for new leadership within the party. This criticism highlighted internal divisions and challenges facing the party’s future direction. POLITICO
9. Councillor Misconduct Allegation (January 2025): Jaymey McIvor, Reform UK’s first councillor in Essex, faced allegations of sending unsolicited explicit images. McIvor had previously been suspended from the Conservative Party over similar claims before joining Reform UK. This incident raised questions about the party’s candidate selection and disciplinary procedures. The Guardian

These incidents have collectively impacted Reform UK’s public image and raised concerns about its internal governance and candidate selection processes.

The Reform Party (previously the Brexit Party) and its roots in UKIP (UK Independence Party) have been involved in numerous controversies and scandals over the years. Below is a summary of notable incidents involving these entities:

UKIP Scandals

1. Racist Remarks by Members:
   UKIP members frequently made headlines for racist and xenophobic comments, damaging the party’s reputation. Notable incidents include:
   • In 2014, Godfrey Bloom referred to developing nations as “Bongo Bongo Land” and joked about hitting women in a speech.
   • UKIP candidate Kerry Smith was forced to resign in 2014 after using slurs about Chinese and gay people.
2. Nigel Farage’s Expenses:
   • In 2014, questions arose over Farage’s use of EU allowances. Reports suggested that he had claimed significant funds for office expenses without clear accountability.
3. Internal Infighting:
   • UKIP faced constant leadership changes and internal disputes, especially after Nigel Farage stepped down in 2016. Leaders like Paul Nuttall and Gerard Batten were criticized for controversial decisions, including Batten’s ties to anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson.

Brexit Party and Reform UK Scandals

1. Transition from UKIP to Brexit Party:
   • Nigel Farage launched the Brexit Party in 2019, distancing himself from UKIP’s more extreme elements. Despite this, the new party faced accusations of harboring candidates with controversial pasts.
2. Donations and Funding Transparency:
   • The Brexit Party faced scrutiny over its financial structure, with claims that it was heavily reliant on small anonymous donations, raising concerns about foreign influence.
3. Offensive Comments by Candidates:
   • Several Brexit Party candidates were dropped for making offensive or inflammatory remarks online.
4. 2024 Racism and Homophobia Scandal:
   • Reform UK (rebranded from the Brexit Party) faced a major scandal in 2024 when Channel 4 revealed racist and homophobic remarks made by campaigners. The revelations led to the dismissal of several candidates.
5. Candidate Selection Issues:
   • In 2025, Reform UK’s first councillor, Jaymey McIvor, faced allegations of misconduct, including sending unsolicited explicit images.
6. Farage’s Controversial Comments:
   • Farage himself has often been at the center of controversy, including comments on immigration and his dismissive remarks about climate change.

Brexit and Leadership Criticism

1. Impact of Brexit:
   • Farage and the Brexit Party were instrumental in the UK leaving the EU. However, the economic challenges and political divisions caused by Brexit have drawn criticism, with some blaming the party for oversimplifying the issue and others of intentionally misleading and lying.
2. Elon Musk Criticism (2025):
   • Elon Musk, once a supporter of Nigel Farage, criticised his leadership, calling for a change in direction for Reform UK.
3. Defection of Candidates:
   • Reform UK candidates have defected, accusing the party of being racist, misogynistic, and bigoted.

The Broader Culture of Misconduct

The McIvor case is symptomatic of a broader culture within UK politics, where allegations of lewd behaviour and misconduct are all too common. Critics argue that this reflects a deeper issue of power dynamics and a lack of accountability.

1. Harassment in Westminster Reports of sexual harassment in Westminster have surfaced repeatedly, leading to calls for a cultural shift. In 2018, the #MeToo movement exposed numerous cases of inappropriate behaviour among MPs and staffers, prompting the establishment of an independent complaints and grievance scheme.
2. Social Media and the Court of Public Opinion The rise of social media has made it easier for allegations to surface, but it has also led to a trial-by-media dynamic. Politicians like McIvor often face public judgement before investigations conclude, complicating the pursuit of justice.
3. The Role of Whistleblowers Many scandals come to light thanks to whistleblowers, who risk their careers to expose wrongdoing. However, these individuals often face retaliation, highlighting the need for stronger protections.

The Impact on Public Trust

The prevalence of scandals involving poor and unacceptable behaviour has eroded public trust in politicians. Surveys consistently show that the public perceives MPs as self-serving and out of touch. The McIvor case, with its combination of personal allegations and partisan finger-pointing, exemplifies the kind of behaviour that alienates voters.

Moving Forward: Restoring Integrity

To rebuild trust, political parties must take decisive action to address misconduct. This includes:

• Stricter Vetting: Ensuring that candidates are thoroughly vetted before selection to prevent individuals with a history of inappropriate behaviour from standing for office.
• Clearer Codes of Conduct: Establishing and enforcing robust ethical guidelines for politicians at all levels.
• Transparency: Encouraging openness about investigations and disciplinary actions to demonstrate accountability.
• Cultural Change: Promoting a culture of respect and professionalism within political institutions to deter misconduct.

The history of poor behaviour among Tory and Reform (UKIP and Brexit Party) politicians is a sobering reminder of the challenges facing British politics. The Jaymey McIvor controversy is the latest chapter in a long saga of scandals by right wing politicians that have damaged the credibility of public officeholders. Addressing these issues requires not only structural reforms but also a commitment to ethical leadership. Only then can the political class begin to restore the public’s faith in democracy.