WATCH: Reform UK’s Deputy Leader Quizzed on Andy Burnham’s Ukraine Visit Amid Social Housing Policy Launch

https://youtu.be/4pf0IyU2hIM

On Monday 24 August 2026, as Prime Minister Andy Burnham made his first overseas trip as UK leader to Kyiv, Reform UK’s senior figures found themselves fielding questions about the visit during a press conference focused on domestic housing policy.

The event, held in central London and featuring Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice MP (Boston and Skegness) and party Chairman Lee Anderson MP (Ashfield), centred on bold new proposals for social housing. These included prioritising young British-born workers under 35, married couples with children, and military veterans for council homes; building 50,000 affordable social homes a year; imposing strict maintenance standards (with potential eviction for poorly kept gardens or properties); and accelerating the eviction of foreign nationals from social housing.

However, journalists quickly turned to foreign policy. With Burnham in the Ukrainian capital to mark Ukraine’s 35th Independence Day, meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, chair a “coalition of the willing” meeting, and announce the declassification of blueprints for British components of long-range SCALP/Storm Shadow missiles to enable local production in Ukraine, the Reform pair were pressed on the government’s stance.

In a short clip uploaded by us on our socials, Tice is seen responding animatedly at the Reform-branded podium while Anderson sits alongside, at times looking down, adjusting his glasses, and taking notes. A fuller exchange captured in related footage shows the question: whether they agreed with the Prime Minister handing over the missile blueprints.

Anderson replied supportively: “The prime minister is doing the right thing on his first overseas visit and we should continue to support Ukraine in doing an incredible job in pushing Russia back.” The response aligned with Reform’s established position of backing Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence against Russian aggression, while frequently emphasising that domestic priorities—such as housing, immigration, and the cost of living—must come first for British taxpayers.

Burnham’s visit has drawn sharp reaction from Moscow, which accused the UK of “adding fuel to the fire” and issued warnings of “consequences.” The Prime Minister pushed back, asking “Who started the fire?” and comparing Ukraine’s struggle to Britain’s stand against Nazi Germany, while reaffirming “100%” support and urging allies to dig into air-defence stocks.

The questioning highlighted the contrast in political focus. Reform UK, currently polling strongly and positioning itself as the main opposition force, used the press conference to argue that successive governments have unfairly prioritised overseas nationals on housing waiting lists (estimated at 1.3 million households) over British families and veterans. Critics, including housing charity Shelter, accused the plans of stoking division.

Tice and Anderson handled the diversion without fully derailing their core message, though Anderson appeared increasingly impatient with questions straying from social housing. The moment underscores the tightrope opposition parties walk: supporting Ukraine’s defence while insisting that Britain’s own crises of housing shortages, immigration, and living standards demand urgent attention at home.

As Burnham deepens the UK’s military-technical partnership with Kyiv, Reform’s measured endorsement of the visit—coupled with its “Britain first” domestic agenda—signals the party will continue scrutinising the balance between foreign commitments and national priorities in the months ahead.