Reform UK has come under scrutiny regarding the authenticity of its 609 candidates who stood in the recent elections on 4 July. The Liberal Democrats have demanded evidence to substantiate the legitimacy of these candidates, amid mounting concerns over the lack of detailed information and potential use of AI-generated photographs.
Reform UK’s approach involved nominating ‘paper candidates’ who did not campaign but were included to enhance the party’s vote share. A Liberal Democrat source voiced scepticism, stating, ‘This doesn’t sound right and Reform should come clean with evidence. We need Reform to show who they are. People need to have faith in the democratic process.’
The electoral website of Reform UK lists candidates by their name and constituency alone, often providing only a regional email address. Numerous candidates have no online presence, did not campaign, and, in some cases, did not attend electoral counts. Electoral rules stipulate that candidates must provide their full name, constituency, have an agent, and secure 10 local voter nominations. Questions have arisen about the legitimacy of some candidates, including one individual denying their candidacy despite having a matching name and location.
While no concrete evidence has been found to indicate fake candidates, the potential implications are serious. Reform UK has defended its candidates’ authenticity, stating that some who began as paper candidates later engaged in campaigning efforts. For example, James McMurdock, who initially did not campaign, went on to win his seat in South Basildon and East Thurrock.
The credibility issue was further complicated by allegations of AI-generated photographs. One such case involved Mark Matlock, who justified an altered election photo, explaining, ‘The image is me. Stupidly I had to get it altered as I couldn’t get to a photographer on time.’ Matlock added that he participated in some campaign activities and attributed the rush to the snap election call by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Financially, Reform UK led the political parties in fundraising during the campaign’s fourth week, raising nearly £600,000. Notable contributions included £200,000 from Zia Yusuf, founder of Velocity Black, and £125,000 from businessman Jeremy Hosking. Other donors included Andrew Bridgen, a former Tory MP known for his anti-vax stance.
The use of AI technology in official election materials poses broader implications, according to experts. John Kirk, Chief Strategy Officer at ITG, remarked, ‘The use of generative AI technology in official photography and election materials can save time and money but can also cause confusion and suspicion if it becomes clear the images are not sourced from traditional photography.’ Similarly, Suid Adeyanju, CEO of RiverSafe, warned, ‘In an election riddled with fraudulent emails, misinformation, and deepfakes, the slightest hint of AI-generated imagery on official literature will cause controversy and raise questions about the threat the technology poses to democracy.’
Reform UK’s defence of its candidate authenticity continues to face scrutiny as experts weigh in on the broader implications of AI use in election materials. The controversy underscores the need for transparency and adherence to electoral rules to maintain public trust in the democratic process.
