Nigel Farage prepares to unveil Reform’s first ‘shadow cupboard’ with ex-Tory minister Robert Jenrick tipped to be his ‘shadow chancellor’

Nigel Farage will this morning reveal a Reform ‘shadow cabinet’ for the first time, with ex-Tory minister Robert Jenrick tipped for a top role. 

Mr Jenrick, who defected to Reform from the Conservatives last month, has been linked with the party’s treasury role, shadowing Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Three other roles will be announced, with Skegness MP and former leader Richard Tice in line for another position.

There is also speculation that party chairman Zia Yusuf could get a brief, despite not being one of Reform’s eight MPs or a member of the House of Lords. 

Mr Farage has been facing calls to sort out a proper frontbench team, now he fronts a team of eight MPs, to knock down claims he is the leader of a one-man-band.

Mr Jenrick was previously a Cabinet minister as Housing Secretary under Boris Johnson and was Conservative shadow justice secretary until he jumped ship.

But his only Treasury experience was an 18-month stint as Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, the most junior minister, under Theresa May. 

Mr Jenrick, who defected to Reform from the Conservatives last month, has been linked with the party’s treasury role, shadowing Chancellor Rachel Reeves .

Mr Farage has been facing calls to sort out a proper frontbench team, now he fronts a team of eight MPs, to knock down claims he is the leader of a one-man-band.

It comes as a new poll today suggested Reform’s poll lead has been cut to just five points. 

YouGov had Farage’s party on 24 per cent, down three points in a week. Labour and the Tories are unchanged on 19 per cent and 18 per cent respectively, with the Greens up a point on 17 per cent.