David Vance SubstackRead More
Let me start by saying that I have found Ben Habib to a very personable guy and he shared a stage with me back in January of last year at an event I put on in London. Ben had been very poorly treated by Nigel Farage the year before and whilst I do not pretend to know all the details, it was self evidently a clash of ego. Ben announced later in 2025 the formation of a political party, Advance UK, and it quickly attracted some 37,000 members. And then…nothing. All momentum seemed to be taken out of it as Reform stormed ahead and Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain party was formed and gained momentum.
Today came the not entirely unexpected news from Ben that Advance UK will de-register as a political party and pause its electoral campaigning. The decision comes ahead of key contests such as the Makerfield by-election. Habib had established Advance as a more democratic and uncompromising alternative to Reform, focusing heavily on immigration control, national sovereignty, and institutional reform. It positioned itself as a force committed to delivering the changes many felt mainstream parties, including Reform, were reluctant to pursue.
However, electoral results proved very challenging. Advance UK fielded candidates in various contests, including the 2026 local elections and Scottish Parliament election, but secured no seats. In the Gorton and Denton by-election, its performance was woeful, highlighting the very real difficulties of building momentum in a crowded political landscape.
In his announcement, Habib has positioned the move as a pragmatic step for the greater good. Advance UK will shift its focus toward the Great British Political Action Committee (an entity that he chairs) as an advocacy vehicle for policy development and holding institutions to account.
The proposal will now be put to a member vote, allowing supporters to have their say on the party’s future direction. Rupert Lowe has welcomed Ben’s decision as principled and extended an invitation to Advance UK members to join his growing movement.
Whilst Ben is a genuinely decent chap, I am not sure he has the ruthlessness required to lead a strong alternative centre right party. Farage has it. Lowe has it.
