Leaked training videos from Reform UK instruct activists to avoid 'drinking and tweeting' and warn that the party's own members are its 'biggest threat', according to Byline Times. The videos, part of the 'Reform UK Centre Of Excellence' digital training catalogue, also advise canvassers to deliver leaflets through doors marked 'no junk mail' while avoiding party branding to remain 'unidentifiable'. The guidance comes as Nigel Farage faces a record-breaking 33 candidates in the Clacton by-election, with voters heading to the polls tomorrow.
Training videos expose internal concerns
The videos, created in July and August 2025, were still accessible to Reform activists at the time of writing, with the link publicly available. One presentation states: 'The fact is, the biggest threat to Reform is people in it and itself. It's not the Tories, it's not Labour, the establishment is going to throw everything at us. The biggest chance of things going wrong is stuff like infighting, stuff like people just saying and doing stupid stuff. That's our biggest risk.'
Local campaigners are also told to treat 'every social media post like a press release', asking: 'If this was sat on the desk of an anti Reform journalist, what are they going to do with it?' Members are advised: 'Don't drink and tweet. If there is any doubt, just don't post it.' Potential candidates are encouraged to avoid being 'politically active on social media trying to give an opinion on everything that is happening nationwide'.
Candidate vetting and campaign strategy
A slide on selecting candidates says: 'They have to be vetted, but this is just their online profile. If people can't be bothered to campaign, please avoid selecting them, this is the most important piece of guidance.' This follows a number of Reform councillors who have faced criticism or stepped down after their social media posts were uncovered.
Another video advises activists not to announce council resignations immediately or 'call the by-election early'. It explains: 'What you want to do as a party like Reform, we want as much time to campaign as possible. Because if we get a free 35 days to go out and knock twice as many doors as we are planning, deliver twice as much literature, then we've got more chance of winning.'
Clacton by-election context
Farage announced his resignation as MP for Clacton last month to force the by-election, claiming it will 'stick two fingers up to the entire establishment'. He is expected to win, with his main challenger being novelty candidate Count Binface, who promised 'to spend more time in Clacton-on-Sea than Washington DC, I pledge to build at least one affordable house, I will campaign to nationalise Adele, and oil and gas companies must pay for solar panels for everyone'.
Farage told Metro: 'I did not want to resign as your MP and have this by-election. But the political establishment forced it upon me. My promises to Clacton are simple: I will always be accountable to you; I will always take on Westminster for you; I will always fight to fix broken Britain for you.' Metro has contacted Reform UK for comment. The by-election result is set to be announced on Friday.
