Did you read the big news about Reform? No, not its scooping-up of Tory MPs Robert Jenrick and Andrew Rosindell; but rather Nigel Farage’s announcement of a new regime for future defections. Reform may once have jauntily set up what must be a first for any political party, an online defection application form: but the whole exercise is now to be strictly time-limited. As from 7 May, the date of such local elections as the government have not seen fit to cancel, Reform will entertain no further applications from any existing politician. Even for those who do apply in time, there are going to be no shoo-ins. I have already turned away several people, says Farage; and will undoubtedly turn away more.

After 7 May, Reform will entertain no further applications from any existing politician

If you thought Reform was an amateur outfit that made its policy on the hoof if at all, think again. This slightly counter-intuitive measure is actually an inspired political move, one suspects carefully thought-out, showing not only sensitivity to public opinion but some little subtlety.

Let’s begin with the optics. For all its polling figures, Reform has had an image problem for some time. Its members’........

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