Reform UK Cold-Calls Public for Last-Minute Election Candidates

Reform UK is phoning members of the public to stand as "paper" candidates in upcoming local elections. A party "paper" candidate is one who stands in name only, with no expectation of winning. The party is making these surprise calls to meet a Thursday deadline for candidate submissions. Those contacted appear to be people who have simply signed up for Reform's email updates. A Guardian journalist was among those who received a call. Party leader Nigel Farage has denied that this tactic amounts to "begging" people to stand.