Pensioners warn Nigel Farage: Scrap the triple lock and Reform UK loses votes

Pensioners have warned Nigel Farage that he risks losing their votes if he dares to touch the pension triple lock, urging Reform to protect the policy. It comes after Richard Tice, the party's deputy leader, said he could not guarantee to keep the triple lock, a policy which he describes as unsustainable.

Vivienne Champ, 72, warned Reform that the party would alienate older voters if it backed away from the policy, saying: "Reform should protect the triple lock, because the cost of everything is soaring. If they don't, they'll lose votes." Speaking to the Daily Express in Chatham, Kent, older voters said the triple lock was vital to keeping up with soaring prices, and warned that any move to scrap it would not only "hammer" poorer pensioners, but also cost Reform at the ballot box.

Colin Delaney, 73, said that Farage "should protect" the policy, which sees the state pension increase by inflation, earnings growth or 2.5 per cent, whichever is highest, each year.

Concerns over pensioners being unable to pay their bills were a major concern, with David Mitchell, 70, saying he and his wife Leslie, 67, were "both happy with the triple lock". David Whiteman, 66, also warned that "all the bills are going up" as he said he "could not afford to retire", saying that Reform had to protect the lock.

But, despite his warning, Mr Whiteman added: "Let's give Reform a go, they can't do no worse than the other lot."

Mr and Mrs Dennis, aged 87 and 85, said scrapping the guarantee would "hammer people," adding that losing it would be "annoying". The couple expressed worry about the impact it would have on older people heading into winter.

Mrs Browne, 82, said she "wanted a pay rise" and "couldn't stand Reform," adding: "I am against everything they stand for."

The triple lock ensures that the state pension rises each year by whichever is highest, earnings growth, inflation or 2.5 per cent. It currently benefits more than millions of retirees and costs the Treasury around £10billion a year.

Helen Whately MP, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said:

"Introduced by the Conservative Government, the triple lock has lifted pensioners out of poverty and given dignity in retirement.

"For all their talk, Reform has no plan for the economy, other than increasing welfare spending by lifting the two-child benefit cap. They promised tax cuts for the local councils they run but instead they're putting taxes up.

"Only the Conservatives have a plan to get welfare spending under control, reduce the deficit and cut taxes. Our priority is growing the economy and balancing the books."

Reform did not respond to requests for comment.