Reform UK Members of Parliament are now under constant 24-hour security following the murder of former minister Ann Widdecombe, according to MP Sarah Pochin. The heightened security measures have deeply affected the personal lives of the party's eight MPs, with Pochin stating her children have pleaded with her to leave politics due to safety concerns.
"I am so grateful they are looking after us, but the impact on your family life is severe," Pochin told GB News. "They're like, mum, 'Please stop what you're doing. Please stop, [because] it can never be worth risking your life.'"
Pochin, who entered Parliament in 2025, described a recent holiday where she and her husband were accompanied by security guards while walking along a coastal path, a situation that visibly distressed her partner. She noted that even routine activities like grocery shopping or personal shopping are now challenging due to the perceived risks.
Ann Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister and an immigration and justice spokeswoman for Reform UK, was killed at her home in July. Her death prompted the review and increase of security for all Reform MPs.
Pochin, who was Reform UK's first female MP before Suella Braverman defected to the party in January, also commented on her experiences in Westminster. She characterized the environment as the most chauvinistic she has encountered, citing instances of doors being shut in her face. Pochin urged other women to join her and Braverman in Parliament to ensure stronger female representation and combat such behavior.
Reform UK recently announced a significant financial boost, reporting £72 million in donations from cryptocurrency billionaires within a 24-hour period.