Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party is appealing to a growing group of voters ahead of a crucial special election this month: men without a job.
Across Britain, men are becoming unemployed at a faster pace than women, as hiring freezes and layoffs fall particularly hard in male-dominated sectors such as construction, manufacturing and IT. Joblessness among young men now stands at over 16% — rates equivalent to the depths of the coronavirus pandemic.
Few places are feeling it more than Gorton and Denton in northwest England, the scene of a by-election scheduled for Feb. 26 that could decide the fate of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Betting odds show right-wing Reform vying with the left-wing Green Party for a parliamentary seat that has among the highest number of young people claiming jobless-related benefits.
“The government’s handling of employment and unemployment issues is pushing people to Reform,” said Chris Annous, an associate at think tank More in Common. “Reform significantly overperform among those who are facing financial insecurity — it is one of the strongest predictors of voting for the party.”
Man, it’s almost like going all-in on an economic system that prioritises low inflation over low unemployment has serious social and political downsides down the line
Stoic_cave on
Daddy issues
kyr_yannakis on
Are these jobless men aware of Farage’s background or were they born after COVID?
zdzislav_kozibroda on
Something is rotten in the state of the UK.
But good luck to anyone (especially working class) who thinks that Farage is the cure.
Logical-Leopard-1965 on
If Farage gets in, they can always join his Sturmabteilung & bring their own twist to a UK version of ICE.
morbihann on
Ah yes, the guy that promises simple and fast solutions to fix everything and unleash the rivers of honey, no way it can fail.
Anhalir on
Huh. Weimar-esque Great Britain wasn’t on my bingo card.
TheDiceman3 on
Farage has nothing to offer the legions of the unemployed other than increasing poverty. How is it that they can’t see that?
G_UK on
Beware of people offering easy solutions to complex problems
AlloAll0 on
They know Farage is the main responsible for the UK economic owes, right?
Propaganda is a hell of a drug.
Rabti on
Turkey’s flocking to the abbattoir.
Let him be elected. He will be as much use as his former blond mate with the funny hair.
RubberDuckyRapidsBro on
I had a thought. If and when Deform come into power and Britain doesnt magically get repaired like how they wish they will only turn to more extreme measures.
Labs1982 on
So the man that sent us down this path brexit is the one save us. Look to anyone thinking of voting fpr this hot piece of shit he was the one that put us in this position with his lies and snake oil ways, reform are just the tories in a new colour scheme, they will absolutely 💯 percent throw us to the wolfs. Don’t fall for his lies he doesn’t care about you or your life and he will not make the uk great again.
Oalka on
This is how fascism always works. Promise magic cures to economic issues, particularly effective when the opposite side of the aisle is also captured by capitalists.
Relevant_Helicopter6 on
Not just “unemployed men”, it’s a special kind of men who meanwhile became unemployed as the world has no more use for them.
chanjitsu on
Can we ***please*** not copy the US politically for once ffs
Any-Original-6113 on
“Winter is coming.”
honest_luk on
Uk is doing great per Goverment, People feel probaly different, Proud but so blind.
Ripped_Guggi on
Ah yes, blaming immigrants again for their own failures
_sonisalsonamedBort on
Men of fighting age…
Cute-Breadfruit3368 on
As expected
OwlSlow1356 on
farage and working class :)) the guy did not work a single day in his life :)) he will privatise everything and sell all working class to the elite billionare class in a heartbeat!
sA1atji on
Who, without a doubt, will screw them over even harder.
MilosEggs on
Is that because they are desperate to remain unemployed?
Or is it because Farage has told them it’s some else’s fault – again.
Birthday-Tricky on
Farage did this to them!
Hroosky2 on
Global Mafia Elite’s UK frontman. Sits a couple of rows down from Putin and Trump.
ObscureObjective on
They’ saw how great the US is doing with Trump and said “let’s bring this over here” /s
Digital-Sushi on
Frank turner wrote a brilliant song in 2018 called 1933. One verse sums up what’s happening right now
If I was of the greatest generation I’d be pissed
Surveying the world that I built slipping back into this
I’d be screaming at my grandkids: “We already did this”
Be suspicious of simple answers
That shit’s for fascists and maybe teenagers
You can’t fix the world if all you have is a hammer
The first time it was a tragedy
The second time is a farce
Outside it’s 1933 so I’m hitting the bar
Wranorel on
To beat him? Don’t they know he is very much responsible for the state of economy in UK?
alebacce on
So tired of all of this in Europe….
So many fake patriots parties which deceive with their propaganda, really so tired since they push our continent backword
Final-Read-3589 on
Farage is a great example of how personality and having the right lines can make a career.
He will massively damage the economy, he will leave more unemployed, but it’s ok he’ll “stop the boats”
CertainCertainties on
Farage is the budget scam artist doing the street fraud where you have to pick which of the three cups he’s hidden the UK’s heart and soul under.
No matter what you pick, you got it wrong. He pocketed them a long way back. Beyond sad. Tragic.
unofficiall67 on
to the same man who gave them brexit 😭
Busy_Mortgage4556 on
Sign up for 5 free articles. Nope.
Musicman1972 on
Oh well of course. You see Farage absolutely looks like someone who wants to strengthen workers rights, increase investment in struggling communities, move the economic burden to the rich from the poor, a man who understands the plight of those underpaid, unemployed and struggling.
Oh no sorry this is a man in the “I’m not avoiding tax I’m mitigating it” bracket, who has reduced employment possibilities in manufacturing, agricultural and fishing communities by facilitating BREXIT, and literally ran away from the result when it actually came in his favour, who has zero record of concrete achievement in his entire political career, who wants to scrap the NHS and make it a tiered ‘you get what you can afford’ system … Etc
Jobless men don’t spend their free time actually thinking about stuff do they?
The “it’s not your fault it’s the foreigner” rhetoric will immediately change to “we’re not helping you I don’t give a fck if you’re poor. Work harder and stop whinging” if he’s ever in power.
At least then they might realise.
dmd_double_face on
Aaaaaah here we go again. This time a little closer to home 🙁
stenlis on
They represent some 2% of the population. I am not even mad at them, their life sucks, they may not be the brightest, I can kind of see how they’d be an easy mark for the likes of Farrage.
But Reform is polling at 30%! It’s clearly not the unemployed men that are the problem!
Lo2NL on
How stupid does one have to be, to be angry at the lack of jobs and then proceed to vote for the one guy that is mainly responsible for the economic hardship of your country?? Britons want to make this stupid mistake twice?
ionetic on
He’s likely the reason they’re jobless due to Brexit.
Andybabez20 on
I’ve noticed Reform’s poll numbers have been declining ever since Farage went about poaching dozens of Tory MPs that were part of the last government.
The gap between them and Labour was only 4 points a couple of days ago. People have long memories and it kind of kills the idea of you being the outsiders when you bring in the last government’s sloppy seconds.
Beyllionaire on
They’re all on Reddit
MechanicalCenturion on
When there was no immigrants in UK, the Irish were blamed. Then the Poles, italians, Romanians and so on.
Nice sport you got there mates
Awkward-Painter-2024 on
The UK trying their best to elect their version of Trump… 🫠
Automatic_Bat_4824 on
Nothing but smoke comes out of this man’s mouth. And all the while playing with mirrors that create nothing but illusions as he sells himself to anyone with a dime.
As for the growing “ranks” of jobless men — sensationalism sells stories.
The UK’s male unemployment rate is lower than that of both the EU and the US.
The “flocks” speaks to sentiment of those who cannot be bothered to educate themselves as to why Britain is not sitting on top of the world — the previous Conservative led government was in power for 14 years and their policies led to the road we now travel. Also, guess where every disaffected Conservative MP has turned to? Our man, Nigel Farage and all that he stands for.
45 Comments
*Irina Anghel for Bloomberg News*
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party is appealing to a growing group of voters ahead of a crucial special election this month: men without a job.
Across Britain, men are becoming unemployed at a faster pace than women, as hiring freezes and layoffs fall particularly hard in male-dominated sectors such as construction, manufacturing and IT. Joblessness among young men now stands at over 16% — rates equivalent to the depths of the coronavirus pandemic.
Few places are feeling it more than Gorton and Denton in northwest England, the scene of a by-election scheduled for Feb. 26 that could decide the fate of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Betting odds show right-wing Reform vying with the left-wing Green Party for a parliamentary seat that has among the highest number of young people claiming jobless-related benefits.
“The government’s handling of employment and unemployment issues is pushing people to Reform,” said Chris Annous, an associate at think tank More in Common. “Reform significantly overperform among those who are facing financial insecurity — it is one of the strongest predictors of voting for the party.”
[Read the full story here.](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-02/britain-s-growing-ranks-of-jobless-men-are-flocking-to-farage?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc3MDAyMTQ3MSwiZXhwIjoxNzcwNjI2MjcxLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUOUtOTzdUOU5KTFQwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJEMzU0MUJFQjhBQUY0QkUwQkFBOUQzNkI3QjlCRjI4OCJ9.FLgIoYRmkTK8xWO0GlryY4pQMvNmllxvum-wGT7Wq0Q)
Man, it’s almost like going all-in on an economic system that prioritises low inflation over low unemployment has serious social and political downsides down the line
Daddy issues
Are these jobless men aware of Farage’s background or were they born after COVID?
Something is rotten in the state of the UK.
But good luck to anyone (especially working class) who thinks that Farage is the cure.
If Farage gets in, they can always join his Sturmabteilung & bring their own twist to a UK version of ICE.
Ah yes, the guy that promises simple and fast solutions to fix everything and unleash the rivers of honey, no way it can fail.
Huh. Weimar-esque Great Britain wasn’t on my bingo card.
Farage has nothing to offer the legions of the unemployed other than increasing poverty. How is it that they can’t see that?
Beware of people offering easy solutions to complex problems
They know Farage is the main responsible for the UK economic owes, right?
Propaganda is a hell of a drug.
Turkey’s flocking to the abbattoir.
Let him be elected. He will be as much use as his former blond mate with the funny hair.
I had a thought. If and when Deform come into power and Britain doesnt magically get repaired like how they wish they will only turn to more extreme measures.
So the man that sent us down this path brexit is the one save us. Look to anyone thinking of voting fpr this hot piece of shit he was the one that put us in this position with his lies and snake oil ways, reform are just the tories in a new colour scheme, they will absolutely 💯 percent throw us to the wolfs. Don’t fall for his lies he doesn’t care about you or your life and he will not make the uk great again.
This is how fascism always works. Promise magic cures to economic issues, particularly effective when the opposite side of the aisle is also captured by capitalists.
Not just “unemployed men”, it’s a special kind of men who meanwhile became unemployed as the world has no more use for them.
Can we ***please*** not copy the US politically for once ffs
“Winter is coming.”
Uk is doing great per Goverment, People feel probaly different, Proud but so blind.
Ah yes, blaming immigrants again for their own failures
Men of fighting age…
As expected
farage and working class :)) the guy did not work a single day in his life :)) he will privatise everything and sell all working class to the elite billionare class in a heartbeat!
Who, without a doubt, will screw them over even harder.
Is that because they are desperate to remain unemployed?
Or is it because Farage has told them it’s some else’s fault – again.
Farage did this to them!
Global Mafia Elite’s UK frontman. Sits a couple of rows down from Putin and Trump.
They’ saw how great the US is doing with Trump and said “let’s bring this over here” /s
Frank turner wrote a brilliant song in 2018 called 1933. One verse sums up what’s happening right now
If I was of the greatest generation I’d be pissed
Surveying the world that I built slipping back into this
I’d be screaming at my grandkids: “We already did this”
Be suspicious of simple answers
That shit’s for fascists and maybe teenagers
You can’t fix the world if all you have is a hammer
The first time it was a tragedy
The second time is a farce
Outside it’s 1933 so I’m hitting the bar
To beat him? Don’t they know he is very much responsible for the state of economy in UK?
So tired of all of this in Europe….
So many fake patriots parties which deceive with their propaganda, really so tired since they push our continent backword
Farage is a great example of how personality and having the right lines can make a career.
He will massively damage the economy, he will leave more unemployed, but it’s ok he’ll “stop the boats”
Farage is the budget scam artist doing the street fraud where you have to pick which of the three cups he’s hidden the UK’s heart and soul under.
No matter what you pick, you got it wrong. He pocketed them a long way back. Beyond sad. Tragic.
to the same man who gave them brexit 😭
Sign up for 5 free articles. Nope.
Oh well of course. You see Farage absolutely looks like someone who wants to strengthen workers rights, increase investment in struggling communities, move the economic burden to the rich from the poor, a man who understands the plight of those underpaid, unemployed and struggling.
Oh no sorry this is a man in the “I’m not avoiding tax I’m mitigating it” bracket, who has reduced employment possibilities in manufacturing, agricultural and fishing communities by facilitating BREXIT, and literally ran away from the result when it actually came in his favour, who has zero record of concrete achievement in his entire political career, who wants to scrap the NHS and make it a tiered ‘you get what you can afford’ system … Etc
Jobless men don’t spend their free time actually thinking about stuff do they?
The “it’s not your fault it’s the foreigner” rhetoric will immediately change to “we’re not helping you I don’t give a fck if you’re poor. Work harder and stop whinging” if he’s ever in power.
At least then they might realise.
Aaaaaah here we go again. This time a little closer to home 🙁
They represent some 2% of the population. I am not even mad at them, their life sucks, they may not be the brightest, I can kind of see how they’d be an easy mark for the likes of Farrage.
But Reform is polling at 30%! It’s clearly not the unemployed men that are the problem!
How stupid does one have to be, to be angry at the lack of jobs and then proceed to vote for the one guy that is mainly responsible for the economic hardship of your country?? Britons want to make this stupid mistake twice?
He’s likely the reason they’re jobless due to Brexit.
I’ve noticed Reform’s poll numbers have been declining ever since Farage went about poaching dozens of Tory MPs that were part of the last government.
The gap between them and Labour was only 4 points a couple of days ago. People have long memories and it kind of kills the idea of you being the outsiders when you bring in the last government’s sloppy seconds.
They’re all on Reddit
When there was no immigrants in UK, the Irish were blamed. Then the Poles, italians, Romanians and so on.
Nice sport you got there mates
The UK trying their best to elect their version of Trump… 🫠
Nothing but smoke comes out of this man’s mouth. And all the while playing with mirrors that create nothing but illusions as he sells himself to anyone with a dime.
As for the growing “ranks” of jobless men — sensationalism sells stories.
The UK’s male unemployment rate is lower than that of both the EU and the US.
The “flocks” speaks to sentiment of those who cannot be bothered to educate themselves as to why Britain is not sitting on top of the world — the previous Conservative led government was in power for 14 years and their policies led to the road we now travel. Also, guess where every disaffected Conservative MP has turned to? Our man, Nigel Farage and all that he stands for.