"Poll reveals growing British Indian backing for Reform UK"

Support for Reform UK Grows Among British Indians, Polling Shows

Support for Reform UK among British Indians has increased threefold since the last election, according to research by a diaspora group, indicating Nigel Farage’s party is making gains in demographics where it previously struggled.

A study by the 1928 Institute, which examines the British Indian community, found backing for Reform has risen from 4% to 13% over the past year.

The findings, released to coincide with Diwali, show that while support for Farage’s party remains well below the national average within Britain’s largest minority ethnic group, the recent surge is far higher than the broader national trend—suggesting Reform is gaining traction in communities where it has historically had little influence.

The report stated: “British Indian support for Reform is significantly lower than that of the general UK population. However, there is a strong upward trend in support.”

British Indians, who make up about 3% of the population, are increasingly seen as key swing voters. For decades, they leaned heavily towards Labour, which was perceived as more welcoming to immigrants in the 1960s and 1970s.

However, these ties have weakened as the community has grown more settled, with their policy concerns aligning more closely with the wider population. Analysts note that social conservatism among Indian voters, along with rising Hindu nationalism, has pushed some further to the right politically.

A 2021 report by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace suggested that Labour’s stance on Kashmiri independence under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership alienated many British Indian voters.

Farage’s views on South Asian immigration have varied. He criticised a recent UK-India trade deal for easing the entry of workers from the region but said in 2015 that he preferred migrants from India and Australia to those from Eastern Europe.

The 1928 Institute’s findings come from a broader study on the political views and demographics of British Indians. Researchers surveyed over 2,000 voters this year, comparing results with previous elections.

At the last election, 48% of British Indians backed Labour, 21% the Conservatives, and just 4% Reform—up from a minimal 0.4% five years earlier. Today, Labour’s support has dropped to 35% among the community, while Conservative backing has fallen to 18%. Support for the Greens has surged, particularly among younger voters, jumping from 8% to 13%.

The research suggests shifting policy priorities are influencing these changes. While education remains the top concern for Indian voters, their second priority has moved from healthcare five years ago to other issues.