Reform UK has become a major platform for socially conservative Christian values in British politics
The party is led by James Orr and Danny Kruger, who aim to center faith in political debate
Reform is promoting traditional family values while opposing secular liberalism and multiculturalism
The party has announced policies including preventing disused churches from becoming mosques and supporting families through tax allowances
📖 Full Retelling
In February 2026, Reform UK has emerged as a significant political vehicle for socially conservative Christian values in Britain, with Nigel Farage appointing theologian James Orr and defected Tory MP Danny Kruger to lead policy development, responding to what they perceive as the erosion of traditional values in an increasingly secular society. Unlike previous British leaders who typically wore their faith lightly, Reform's new leadership represents a stark departure from the understated religious approach characteristic of UK politics. Traditionally, British voters have shown little enthusiasm for the overt religiosity seen in American politics, with less than half of England and Wales identifying as Christian in the last census and those with no religion rising to 37%. Reform's new direction marks a significant shift, positioning itself as the party willing to 'do God' in a way mainstream British parties have avoided. The party's embrace of forceful social conservatism includes framing Christian values as under siege from immigration, multiculturalism, and Islam, with Orr dismissing the Church of England as 'the Labour Party at prayer' and promoting a natalist social conservatism reminiscent of Hungary's Viktor Orbán.
🏷️ Themes
Religion in politics, Cultural conservatism, Social policy
Right-wing populist political party in the United Kingdom
Reform UK, often known simply as Reform, is a right-wing populist political party in the United Kingdom. It has eight members of Parliament in the House of Commons, two members of the London Assembly, one member of the Senedd, one member of the Scottish Parliament, one police and crime commissioner,...
Conservative Christianity, also known as conservative theology, theological conservatism, traditional Christianity, or biblical orthodoxy is a grouping of overlapping and denominationally diverse theological movements within Christianity that seeks to retain the orthodox and long-standing traditions...
Nigel Paul Farage (born 3 April 1964) is a British politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Clacton and Leader of Reform UK since 2024, having previously been its leader from 2019 to 2021. He was the leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) from 2006 to 2009 and 2010 to 2016. Fara...
Daniel Rayne Kruger (born 23 October 1974) is a British politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for East Wiltshire, previously Devizes, since 2019. Kruger was elected as a member of the Conservative Party but defected to Reform UK in September 2025.
The son of writer and property deve...
British politics gets religion on x (opens in a new window) British politics gets religion on facebook (opens in a new window) British politics gets religion on linkedin (opens in a new window) British politics gets religion on whatsapp (opens in a new window) Save British politics gets religion on x (opens in a new window) British politics gets religion on facebook (opens in a new window) British politics gets religion on linkedin (opens in a new window) British politics gets religion on whatsapp (opens in a new window) Save Robert Shrimsley Published February 26 2026 Jump to comments section Print this page Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. Unlike their US counterparts, British leaders are taught to wear their faith lightly. Tony Blair, a deeply committed Christian, was reminded by a leading aide that “we don’t do God”. David Cameron likened his belief to a rural radio station’s signal — “it comes and goes”. England may have an established church but its tone is typically understated. This approach makes sense. British voters evince little enthusiasm for the Bible-bashers of America’s religious right. At the last census less than half the population of England and Wales described themselves as Christian while those with no religion rose from a quarter to 37 per cent. In Scotland that figure is 51 per cent. Tellingly, most opponents of the assisted dying bill argue in terms of public safety, not sanctity of life. But now Britain has a leading political party seemingly ready to “do God”. For the two men Nigel Farage has chosen to lead policy development in Reform UK, James Orr, a Cambridge theologian, and Danny Kruger, the recently defected Tory MP, are outspoken committed Christians who want to put faith back at the centre of political debate. Well-funded movements like NatCons and Arc (the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship) have for some years now been promoting Christian...
