Reform UK climbing polls for 1 reason - it's not all about Nigel Farage

When I sat down with Nigel Farage for the Daily Express's brand-new podcast show, The Daily Expresso, I knew I was in for a sparky conversation. He didn't disappoint. We spoke about immigration, Reform UK's policies, and the problems at the heart of Westminster - subjects that Farage has built his reputation on. Say what you will about him, the man is charismatic. He has that rare ability to cut through the noise of political jargon and say the things that millions of British people think but rarely hear echoed in Parliament. His critics call it populism, his supporters call it plain speaking. Either way, it works.

But to chalk up Reform's rise in the polls purely to Farage's personality cult would be lazy. What's driving their momentum isn't just one man's swagger; it's the deep frustration at the political establishment. After 14 years of chaotic Conservative rule and just over a year of a Labour government that promised change but has so far delivered little, the public mood is sour. People feel let down, and they are right to feel that way.

Farage didn't hold back in our conversation. He told me Kemi Badenoch is "barely seen" - and he has a point. Robert Jenrick has been far more vocal, clearly positioning himself as the next Tory leader while Badenoch seems to have disappeared into the background. The Conservatives, meanwhile, are so busy tearing themselves apart over succession that they've forgotten the small matter of actually running the country.

And then there was Keir Starmer. Farage called him a liar. Harsh words, but again, I can't entirely disagree. The Labour Party I voted for is not the Labour Party we've got in government today. The promises of bold change have given way to managerialism, timidity and compromise. For many voters, the disappointment has curdled into betrayal.

After 15 years of decline, from crumbling public services to stagnant wages, the British electorate has reached a grim conclusion: it doesn't matter whether you vote Tory or Labour, the result feels the same. That's why Reform is climbing in the polls. Not just because Farage is a gifted communicator, but because both main parties have failed to inspire confidence, hope or even basic competence.

So next time you see a headline about Reform surging, don't presume it's all down to Farage's charisma. It's also the story of two broken parties that have left a nation disillusioned - and looking elsewhere for answers

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Family and friends of James Whale will gather today in a quiet corner of Kent to pay their last respects. James was more than just a broadcaster, writer and Express columnist - he was a one-man institution.

For decades, his unmistakable voice, quick wit and unflinching opinions cut through the noise of modern media. Whether you agreed with him or not, you could never accuse James of sitting on the fence. He believed in saying it as he saw it, and he carried that conviction into every column he wrote for this newspaper.

I had the privilege of working alongside James at TalkTV, where I was still finding my voice in a newsroom full of big personalities. James, true to form, didn't waste time with platitudes or sugar-coated encouragement. Instead, he offered me candid advice - the sort of wisdom you only get from someone who has lived and breathed broadcasting at the highest level. He was funny, sharp, sometimes blunt, but always generous with his experience. Those conversations meant more to me than he probably realised.

His Express columns had the rare quality of being impossible to ignore. They made you think, sometimes laugh, occasionally fume, but always react. And in a world where too much commentary feels beige and forgettable, James Whale was anything but. He challenged the comfortable, rattled cages and gave a platform to the sort of plain speaking that is all too rare in public life today.

That is why inheriting James's weekly column is one of the greatest honours of my career. It is no small thing to follow in the footsteps of a man who wrote and spoke with such fearlessness. I will endeavour to be as forthright and honest as James was, even if it means ruffling a few feathers along the way.

So today, as James's loved ones gather to say goodbye, I want to thank him publicly - for his service to this paper, and for the advice he offered me when I needed it. May he rest in peace, knowing his voice will echo for years to come.

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Zack Polanski, the new leader of the Green Party, is a breath of fresh air in British politics. At a time when so many of our politicians are bland, robotic, and terrified of saying the wrong thing, here is a man who is forthright, unapologetic, and seemingly guided by morals rather than careerism. Watching him speak, you can't help but be struck by his passion and his charisma. In a landscape dominated by grey men in grey suits, Polanski stands out.

The tragedy for him - and perhaps us - is that he's leading the Greens. For all their energy and conviction, the Green Party remains destined to sit on the sidelines of power. Their message resonates with some, but Britain's electoral system and the party's history of veering into extremism mean they will never be serious contenders for government.

That doesn't mean Polanski shouldn't be taken seriously. In fact, I applaud his willingness to shake things up and challenge the status quo. But if he really wants to make the Greens relevant, he has to do more than inspire. He needs to put in the hard graft of policy work and drag his party back from the brink.

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Jason Momoa may be one of Hollywood's most attractive leading men, but even he can't get away with this fashion crime. At the Venice Film Festival premiere of In The Hand Of Dante, the Aquaman star arrived on the red carpet wearing... sandals. Yes, sandals. There are only two acceptable places for men to bare their toes: the beach and the swimming pool. Anywhere else - especially a prestigious film festival - and it's simply unforgivable.

It doesn't matter how chiselled your jawline is or how many blockbuster franchises you front, a tuxedo paired with open-toed footwear is nothing short of disgusting. The red carpet is about glamour, not gladiator chic. That said, if we are being generous, at least Momoa had the decency to sport a neat pedicure. Glossy toes aside, though, sandals at Venice remain a style sin I cannot condone.

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The Daily Express has always prided itself on giving readers straight-talking opinions and sharp analysis - and now we're doing it in podcast form. Our brand-new show, The Daily Expresso, is already proving to be a brilliant way to break down the biggest stories of the day with the voices you trust.

I've been lucky enough to be joined by our regular panelists Carole Malone, Belinda De Lucy and Esther McVey, who have all brought their trademark insight, passion and no-nonsense perspective to the table. Together, we cut through the spin and get straight to the heart of the issues that matter most.

And here's the best part: on Fridays, the show is all about you. We dedicate the episode to our viewers and readers, answering your questions and reading out your comments. So get involved - this is your space as much as ours. Find us on Youtube.com/user/theexpressonline