Following the falling-out between Habib and Farage, on 28 November 2024, Habib announced he was quitting Reform UK.[15][16] Habib cited ideological differences with Farage, such as Habib's support for mass deportations, as well as the structure of Reform UK.[15] After leaving, Habib said he wished to create a party that would be to the right of Reform UK.[16] He later stated that Elon Musk had urged him to set up a party in early 2025.[17] Nigel Farage celebrated his departure as a 'champagne moment'.[14]
In April 2025, Habib announced he would be taking over the Integrity Party, which had been created by Christian Russell and Richard J. Shaw in 2024.[18] Habib stated that he intended to make sure the party was properly set up and organised before applying to the Electoral Commission for registration.[18]
On 30 June 2025, Habib announced the formation of Advance UK, and set a target of 30,000 members before applying for registration with the Electoral Commission.[16] The limited company behind the Integrity Party was renamed to Advance UK Party Limited.[19]Restore Britain, a far-right pressure group, was established by Rupert Lowe later that day.[19]
In August, the prominent far-right[20] activist Tommy Robinson announced he was joining the party.[21][22] Later that month, four former parliamentary candidates and one branch chair defected from Reform.[23]
On 26 August 2025, Elon Musk declared his support for the party, saying: "Advance UK will actually drive change. Farage is weak sauce who will do nothing."[24]
At Tommy Robinson's 'Unite the Kingdom' rally in London on 13 September 2025, Advance UK was listed as a sponsor of the event.[25] Habib was a speaker at the rally, which saw an estimated turnout of 110,000 to 150,000.[26][27]
The party was due to hold an official launch event at the Crowne-Plaza Hotel in Newcastle upon Tyne on 27 September. However, after an online protest, the hotel management cancelled the booking on health and safety grounds, according to Newcastle City Council.[28][29] Habib told supporters on Twitter that the party would still launch in Newcastle.[28]
In November 2025, Wootton Bridge Community Centre on the Isle of Wight, where Advance UK members had met, was placed under review by the Charity Commission over alleged political activity.[30]
Post-formation
On 4 December 2025, the party was registered with the Electoral Commission to run candidates in Great Britain.[10] Edward Oakenfull, the party's treasurer, was previously the Reform candidate for Derbyshire Dales in 2024; but was dropped over his comments on the IQ of sub-Saharan Africans.[31]
Advance launched its first policies at the Emmanuel Centre on 7 February 2026.[39] The venue, let by an evangelical church, was criticised by groups including Christians For a Welcoming Britain for hosting what they described as a 'far right political conference'.[40][41]
In the Financial Times, Anna Gross wrote that Habib was working to prevent Nigel Farage from winning the next UK general election, and that the more hardline Advance UK could take votes from those who consider Farage too moderate.[23] Further, Alex Kane of The Irish News suggested in September 2025 that Advance was "in danger of becoming an anti-Farage party rather than a genuine alternative to Reform".[47]
The Independent described the party as being 'nationalist', as Habib called to "put the UK first", and “onshore” all industries “from steel, to food, to energy”. He has supported the imposition of tariffs on imports.[32]
Patrick English, director of political analytics at YouGov, said that Advance UK "certainly might have the potential to be disruptive but they'll need to work very hard to find people capable of fronting it".[23]
Local government
As of February 2026, nine councillors represent Advance UK.[50]
Sean O'Grady has described the arrangement as 'complicated' and likely to lead to internal friction.[19]
In November 2025, Sky News published an article discussing right-wing and extreme bias on Twitter. Habib described the platform as vital for Advance UK, stating that Advance had gained its 37,000 members from Twitter, YouTube, and other social media platforms.[3] He claims to have put £100,000 into the party and said it has raised £600,000 from other sources.[39]
Wales
In Cardiff, anti-fascist group Stand Up to Racism persuaded the venue to cancel the Wales launch booking in October 2025.[54]
In July 2025, Habib told the News Letter that he hoped to work alongside Jim Allister and the TUV in Northern Ireland. He said that "Farage doesn't stand" for the Acts of Union.[56]
Aileen Quinton, whose mother Alberta was killed at the IRAEnniskillen bombing in 1987, sits on the party's college.[57][58]
In November 2025, Habib faced criticism after he told Hilary Schan, who advocated for Irish unity in a speech at the Your Party conference, to "Go to the Republic".
Suzanne Breen of the Belfast Telegraph reported that the party has 600 members in Northern Ireland, and is preparing to register there.[59] In January 2026, she reported that the membership of the Traditional Unionist Voice was aligned to the party.[60]
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