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Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Category: Politics
4 hours ago
News
Politics

Polling and Research Firm Confesses to Rigging Polls Favoring Socialist Candidate Before Unexpected Defeat.

A self-described “independent polling and research” firm has admitted to fabricating polls throughout the 2026 election season, claiming it was part of a “social experiment” on the spread of unverified polling data.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A polling company that gave failed far-left gubernatorial primary candidate Francesca Hong (D-WI) a double-digit lead has admitted to faking its polls.
📺 DETAIL: On Monday, Median Strategies, a self-described “independent polling and research” firm, announced that all its polls were fake and told press outlets to disregard its previously released work. Median Strategies claimed that the fake polls were part of a “social experiment” to examine how unverified polling data spreads. The firm released polls on the Wisconsin Democrat gubernatorial primary and the Los Angeles mayoral race. One of the fake polls suggested that Hong, the far-left candidate backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), a far-left political organization operating within the broader Democratic Party, had a 23-point lead over her main rival, Milwaukee County Executive David Cowley, who ultimately won the primary. In another fake poll, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass had a 12-point lead over leftist challenger Nithya Raman. The fake poll was shared by Bass in a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter). The firm claimed that its experiment was not funded by any candidate, campaign, or organization. It also claimed that its experiment had no financial incentives or ties to betting markets. The Los Angeles Times uncovered the deception after questioning the firm about its polling methodology. The firm’s website has since been scrubbed.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “All previously published polling releases have been withdrawn and should not be cited or treated as genuine polling data. Median Strategies was created as a short-term social experiment examining how purported polling information could enter and spread through the political information ecosystem without independent verification.” – Median Strategies statement.
🎯 IMPACT: This provides context for Hong’s surprise defeat in Wisconsin. Hong was widely seen as the clear frontrunner, having been given a 95.5 percent chance of victory by Kalshi and a substantial lead by several reputable and established pollsters. The extent to which the fake polls meaningfully influenced voter behavior is unknown, although given the fact that one was shared by a candidate, the revelations are likely to further undermine public faith in the reliability of polling ahead of the midterm elections in November.

Image by LaShawnda Jones.

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A self-described "independent polling and research" firm has admitted to fabricating polls throughout the 2026 election season, claiming it was part of a "social experiment" on the spread of unverified polling data.

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5 hours ago
Crime
News
Politics

Transgender Who Plotted to Assassinate Treasury Sec Scott Bessent Sentenced.

A man identifying as a woman has been sentenced to over six years in prison for plotting to assassinate Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, having been inspired by Luigi Mangione.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A man identifying as a woman has been sentenced to roughly six years in prison for plotting to assassinate Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
📺 DETAIL: Ryan Michael English, who goes by Riley Jane English, a 25-year-old transgender, was sentenced to 63 months in prison for plotting to kill Secretary Bessent. English pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and carrying dangerous weapons on U.S. Capitol grounds before U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras in late March. He was sentenced on Tuesday. “I was going to kill Scott Bessent,” English told police, having traveled from Massachusetts to Washington, D.C. on January 27 last year. Having initially thought about killing Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, English opted to target Bessent, who was in the process of being confirmed by the Senate. He also considered an attack on the Heritage Foundation. English turned himself in later that day. Officers found a folding knife, two bottles of vodka fitted with cloth, and a lighter in his vehicle. English told police that he was angered by Bessent’s comments regarding the minimum wage. According to prosecutors, English “had been thinking about for this for a while because of Luigi Mangione.“
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Our system of justice depends on public officials being able to carry out their duties free from intimidation and fear. This defendant’s threats crossed a clear legal line, and today’s guilty plea reflects our commitment to protecting those who serve. Anyone who threatens violence against government officials will be identified, charged, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro declared back in March.
🎯 IMPACT: This represents another case of political violence involving a transgender perpetrator. This has been a recurring issue throughout the Trump administration. The White House previously unveiled plans to crack down on transgender terrorists back in May. The fact that the would-be assassin was inspired by Luigi Mangione, who recently pleaded guilty to federal charges related to the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thomson in December 2024, confirms suspicions that Mangione’s actions could inspire copycats. This is part of a broader problem of left-wing political violence in the U.S., especially targeting those serving under or allied with President Donald J. Trump.

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A man identifying as a woman has been sentenced to over six years in prison for plotting to assassinate Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, having been inspired by Luigi Mangione.

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6 hours ago
News
Politics

Aide to RINO Cornyn Defects to Democrat Talarico’s Team.

An aide to outgoing Senator John Cornyn (R) has crossed party lines to support Democrat candidate James Talarico in his bid to defeat Republican candidate Ken Paxton in their Senate race.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A former aide to Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has joined Democrat Senate candidate James Talarico’s campaign as he seeks to defeat Republican nominee Ken Paxton, who displaced Cornyn as the Republican nominee earlier this year, in the November midterms. Jacob Smith, who was Cornyn’s deputy legislative director and policy adviser for five years, now works as Talarico’s deputy policy director.
📺 DETAIL: Smith, who said he has “worked for Republicans like Senator Cornyn”—a Republican-in-name-only (RINO) who has repeatedly backstabbed President Donald J. Trump—for his “entire career,” and was “proud” to join Talarico’s campaign. The move comes after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, an America First conservative committed to the Trump administration’s agenda, defeated Cornyn in the Republican primary runoff earlier this year with President Trump’s backing. The victory came despite Cornyn spending enormous sums on his campaign. Talarico, meanwhile, has been caught in several controversies regarding past comments, including claiming that Islamic mystics influenced his Christian beliefs, and taking money from a donor linked to pedophile Jeffrey Epstein while campaigning against the “Epstein class.”
🎯 IMPACT: Smith’s switch highlights the preference of some in the GOP establishment to see Democrats win elections over America First Republicans.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “I’ve worked for Republicans like Senator Cornyn my entire career, but this year I’m proud to be joining James Talarico’s campaign.” – Jacob Smith

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An aide to outgoing Senator John Cornyn (R) has crossed party lines to support Democrat candidate James Talarico in his bid to defeat Republican candidate Ken Paxton in their Senate race.

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August 17, 2026
Crime
News
Politics

Socialist New York Lawmaker Defends Shoplifting as a ‘Biological Need.’

New York Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher has claimed shoplifting is driven by “biological need,” sparking criticism from law enforcement.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A far-left New York State Assemblywoman claimed that shoplifting stems from a “biological need” and criticized the prosecution of shoplifters.
📺 DETAIL: On Thursday, New York State Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher (D), a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), claimed that most shoplifting stems from a “biological need” to acquire necessities, describing such crimes as “crimes of poverty.” She criticized the prosecution of shoplifters and claimed that the “true crime” is the wealth disparity in New York City. Gallagher’s comments have since sparked widespread criticism. “Suggesting that someone who steals toothpaste for the first time is automatically being thrown in jail creates a false picture of how the system actually works. Prosecution does not have to mean incarceration,” said Dave Aronberg, former Palm Beach County State Attorney. Gallagher also accused the justice system of prioritizing the interests of corporations, namely CVS and Walgreens. Gallagher called for an end to “broken windows policing,” which emphasizes addressing minor offenses to prevent escalation to larger crimes. “Broken Windows is a proven theory which holds people accountable for their actions and rightfully so… The tides are turning and everyday New Yorkers are getting sick and tired of this reckless narrative,” said retired New York Police Department Sergeant Joe Imperatrice.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Most of what we saw were crimes of poverty-people who are stealing things like toothpaste, people who were stealing things like, you know, soap. And that means if you’re stealing those things, you need them. And we are choosing to protect billion-dollar companies, like CVS and Walgreens, over the people who are struggling to get by. So I would say that the true crime is that there is such incredible wealth disparity in this city that there are people who can be thrown in jail simply for having a biological need.” – Emily Gallagher
🎯 IMPACT: Gallagher’s comments highlight the ongoing leftward drift of the Democrats on social policy, including law and order. Gallagher’s comments are likely to reinforce the perception shared by many moderate, Independent, and swing voters that the Democrats are soft on crime and that the party is inclined to prioritize the welfare of criminals over the wider, law-abiding community. As such, the remarks may hurt the party’s electoral prospects in the upcoming midterm elections in November.

Image by Marc A. Hermann / MTA.

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New York Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher has claimed shoplifting is driven by "biological need," sparking criticism from law enforcement.

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August 17, 2026
Data
News
Politics

DATA: More Democrats Favor Socialism Over Capitalism.

A CBS News/YouGov poll has revealed a significant preference for socialism over capitalism among Democrats, despite a preference for the latter among Americans generally, highlighting the party’s lurch to the left.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Roughly six in 10 Democrats have a positive view of socialism, according to a new poll.
📺 DETAIL: According to a poll commissioned by CBS News and conducted by YouGov, 58 percent of Democrats have a positive view of socialism. In contrast, only 32 percent of Democrats said they view capitalism positively. The survey indicates a 26-point gap in favor of socialism among Democrats. This makes socialism the preferred economic system among Democrats. The poll also revealed that 50 percent of Democrats have a negative view of capitalism compared to only 18 percent of Democrats who have a negative view of socialism. Democrats who registered having “no opinion” on socialism and capitalism were 24 percent and 18 percent, respectively. Overall, the poll found that 46 percent of Americans have a positive view of capitalism and 35 percent have a positive view of socialism. In contrast, 33 percent have a negative view of capitalism, and 42 percent have a negative view of socialism. The poll surveyed 2,287 U.S. adults from August 12 to August 14.
🎯 IMPACT: This reflects similar findings reported earlier in the year. Back in July, it was revealed that approximately one-third of Democrats and Democrat-aligned adults describe themselves as Democratic Socialists. This includes two-thirds of Democrats and Democrat-aligned adults under the age of 45. This is despite the fact that the general public tends to view Democratic Socialism negatively. Earlier this month, it was revealed that roughly 50 percent of New Yorkers oppose the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), the far-left political organization currently taking over the Democrats. The CBS News/YouGov poll underscores the broader ideological shift among Democrats towards socialism and far-left politics generally. This could create problems for the party as it seeks to win over moderate and Independent voters in national and state-wide elections. This is because support for Democratic Socialism is typically concentrated among younger voters living in urban areas, with minimal appeal among older voters and voters living in suburban and rural areas.

Image by Tony Northrup.

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A CBS News/YouGov poll has revealed a significant preference for socialism over capitalism among Democrats, despite a preference for the latter among Americans generally, highlighting the party's lurch to the left.

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August 14, 2026
Data
Politics
UK

Nigel Farage’s Reform Party Tops Another Poll Despite ‘Burnham Bounce.’

Another poll has put Reform UK in the lead in Britain, with the two main establishment parties, the governing Labour Party and the Conservatives, showing dips in support.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party has topped another poll, despite the so-called “Burnham Bounce” following the replacement of Sir Keir Starmer with Andy Burnham as Prime Minister.
📺 DETAIL: The poll was conducted by Survation, a British polling company, between 10 and 13 August, recording changes with July 26, the end of new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first week in office. The poll put Reform UK on top with 26 percent, an increase of two percent. Reform UK had a narrow lead over the governing Labour Party, which secured 25 percent, a drop of one percent. Kemi Badenoch’s nominal Conservative Party secured 19 percent, down two percent, and the Liberal Democrats, a progressive liberal party that supports mass migration and re-joining the European Union (EU), secured 11 percent, up one percentage point. Meanwhile, Zack Polanski’s far-left Green Party has fallen into single digits after dropping to nine percent, down one percent. Left-wing separatist parties, such as the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru, the former seeking Scottish separation from the United Kingdom, the latter seeking Welsh separation, secured three percent and two percent, respectively. Restore Britain, led by former Reform UK Member of Parliament (MP) Rupert Lowe, secured only two percent support, marking no change from late July.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “New Survation poll puts Reform BACK in the lead, up 2 points. Labour down one, and Reform 7 points clear of the deadbeat Tories who are down 2. Must be that “Kemi bounce” the whole right wing press keep telling us is real?” — Zia Yusuf, Reform UK’s Shadow Home Secretary on X (formerly Twitter).
🎯 IMPACT: This poll follows findings from YouGov, another British polling firm, showing a Reform UK polling lead. Earlier this month, it was reported that Farage’s party was polling at 23 percent, one percentage point ahead of Prime Minister Burnham’s Labour Party. This story suggests that the so-called “Burnham Bounce,” the increase in popularity experienced by Labour at the start of Prime Minister Burnham’s tenure, similar to other boosts given to other Prime Ministers at the start of their time in office, has waned within just a few weeks. This is likely to raise concerns within the Labour Party, especially if the party’s figures continue to drop further. Meanwhile, the dip in support for Badenoch’s Conservatives (Tories) casts further doubt on the so-called “Kemi Bounce,” a similar alleged increase in support for the Tory leader. The collapse of the far-left Green Party is also apparent, due to the party constantly being mired in scandals, from leader Polanski’s criticism of the police during a terror attack earlier this year to sharing a post calling for the execution of Farage.

Image by Owain.davies.

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Another poll has put Reform UK in the lead in Britain, with the two main establishment parties, the governing Labour Party and the Conservatives, showing dips in support.

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August 13, 2026
Data
News
Politics

DATA: MAGA Paxton Leads Woke Talarico in Tight Texas Senate Race.

A new poll has revealed that Texas State Attorney General and Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton has a slight lead over his Democrat rival, James Talarico.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) is ahead of state Representative James Talarico (D) in the Texas Senate race, according to a new poll.
📺 DETAIL: According to an Emerson College Polling/Nexstar Media poll published this week, Ken Paxton is polling at 47 percent. This gives him a one percent lead over Democrat candidate James Talarico, on 46 percent. The same poll also revealed that five percent of Texans are undecided and that two percent are backing a third party candidate. The poll used 1,000 likely Texas voters, with a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points. The poll also revealed that support for the GOP was concentrated among white and older voters, while support for the Democrats was concentrated among non-white and younger voters.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “This polling shows Ken Paxton has consolidated Republican support, moving the race closer to even after several months of polls showing him behind. This race is close because there are significant numbers of independent voters breaking for Talarico,” commented Brandon Rottinghaus, Professor of Political Science at the University of Houston.
🎯 IMPACT: The poll shows Paxton with a slight lead over Talarico in the race for the Senate. However, due to Paxton’s lead falling within the margin of error, the race remains tight and fiercely contested. The race may be determined by Independent voters, with both Paxton and Talarico having to appeal to voters outside their traditional party base. The fact that the race is practically neck-and-neck places raises the stakes, especially since the state has been a Republican stronghold since 1994. The poll also shows how demographic changes driven by mass migration have helped the Democrats’ odds in the Lone Star State.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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A new poll has revealed that Texas State Attorney General and Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton has a slight lead over his Democrat rival, James Talarico.

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August 13, 2026
News
Politics

Abdul El-Sayed Attacked Thanksgiving, Demanded Reparations.

Democrat Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed’s resurfaced 2019 anti-Thanksgiving remarks and calls for reparations have drawn sharp criticism, potentially jeopardizing his odds in the swing state.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Democrat Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed criticized Thanksgiving and called for reparations in unearthed social media posts.
📺 DETAIL: In 2019, on Thanksgiving, El-Sayed posted that it was “Time for Reparations” and criticized the holiday as being built on the “systematic annihilation” of Indigenous Peoples. This follows similar past comments by El-Sayed, such as calling to cancel July 4 celebrations and his hatred for Michigan’s Mackinac Island, among other things. “Just a reminder this #Thanksgiving. This country was built on the systematic annihilation of Indigenous Peoples, whose ancestors [sic] suffer some of the highest rates of homelessness, joblessness, and mortality today,” El-Sayed posted. The post was deleted but archived online. Other past comments from El-Sayed include calling to defund the police and abolishing Americans’ right to bear arms. 
💬 KEY QUOTE: “We owe so much more than ‘thanks.’ Time for Reparations.” – Abdul El-Sayed in his 2019 Thanksgiving post on X (formerly Twitter)
🎯 IMPACT: The unearthed posts have increased scrutiny of El-Sayed’s Senate candidacy. El-Sayed’s far-left position on cultural and social matters could alienate many moderate, conservative, and independent voters in Michigan, a swing state. El-Sayed’s comments also underscore the extent to which anti-American and far-left beliefs have become part of the Democrat mainstream. El-Sayed’s past comments are likely to feature heavily in the campaign between now and November 3, when the state goes to the polls.
📺 FLASHBACK: El-Sayed’s comments echo other progressive candidates seeking the Democrat nomination for various positions across multiple states. Francesca Hong, who recently failed to secure the Democrat nomination for Wisconsin’s governor race, faced criticism for previous posts calling to end Thanksgiving. “Cancel Thanksgiving. Should have done this in 1621. If it takes a worldwide pandemic for us to realize we should stop celebrating colonialism and the original superspreader event that killed indigenous folx [sic] and women, so be it,” posted Hong.

Image by Conlan Houston.

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Democrat Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed’s resurfaced 2019 anti-Thanksgiving remarks and calls for reparations have drawn sharp criticism, potentially jeopardizing his odds in the swing state.

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August 12, 2026
Data
News
Politics

Only 30% of New Yorkers Support Mamdani’s Democratic Socialists.

A new poll has revealed the significant opposition to the far-left Democratic Socialists of America in New York State, with support for the organization largely concentrated among young, low-income voters in New York City.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Roughly half of New Yorkers are opposed to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), according to a new poll, while less than a third positively support it.
📰 DETAIL: A Siena University poll released on Wednesday revealed that 47 percent of New Yorkers hold an unfavorable view of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), a far-left political organization taking over the Democrats from within. The poll also revealed that only 30 percent of New Yorkers view the DSA favorably, and 23 percent are unsure. Support for the DSA in New York is concentrated in New York City, where 49 percent have a favorable view of the organization. The uptick in support coincides with the rise to prominence and subsequent election of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who is a DSA member. In contrast, only 16 percent of suburban voters have a favorable view of the DSA. Similarly, only 27 percent of voters in upstate New York support the organization. The poll also revealed that 71 percent of Jewish New Yorkers have a negative view of the DSA. Support for the DSA skews towards younger voters on lower incomes. However, among Democrats in the state, roughly half view the DSA favorably, compared to 21 percent who oppose the organization and 29 percent who are unsure. Independents have a broadly negative view of the DSA, with 57 percent opposed and only around one-quarter expressing a positive view.
🎯 IMPACT: The polls show that while the DSA has support among young voters in urban areas, it is viewed negatively by other demographics. As such, it will prove much harder for the DSA to make electoral breakthroughs outside of urban areas with younger populations. The negative reception of the DSA among Independents further raises questions about its viability as a state-wide organization. This poll reflects similar data reported last month which showed that one in three Democrats regard themselves as Democratic Socialists and that support for Democratic Socialism skews towards younger voters without college degrees on lower incomes.

Image by TonyNorthrup.

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A new poll has revealed the significant opposition to the far-left Democratic Socialists of America in New York State, with support for the organization largely concentrated among young, low-income voters in New York City.

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August 12, 2026
News
Politics
UK

Nigel Farage Honors ‘Extraordinary’ Ann Widdecombe.

A memorial for Ann Widdecombe, a former Conservative lawmaker and Reform UK immigration and justice spokeswoman, is being held in Devon, England, on Wednesday, with Nigel Farage and other Reform leaders paying their respects to the legendary politician.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage honored former Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) and government minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe ahead of her funeral service on Wednesday. She is believed to have been murdered in a politically motivated terror attack.
📺 DETAIL: The Reform leader paid tribute to Widdecombe as an “extraordinary woman.” The requiem Mass took place at Buckfast Abbey in Devon, England. As a committed Roman Catholic, Widdecombe regularly worshipped at the abbey. A public memorial for Widdecombe is planned for later this year. Other Reform politicians also paid tribute to their party’s former justice spokeswoman. Deputy Leader Richard Tice said: “We will treasure our memories with you and never forget your life and legacy.” Reform Shadow Education Secretary Suella Braverman said: “A warrior. A patriot. An inspiration. May her memory be a blessing.” Sarah Pochin, Reform MP for Runcorn and Helsby, said: “Her warmth, kindness and friendship meant so much to so many, and she will never be forgotten. May she rest in peace.” “Ann was a woman of profound faith, a faith which found expression in the public forum of politics. Ann was unafraid to express her unwavering convictions, formed through her Roman Catholic faith. She had a sharp intellect and was a dedicated public servant,” read a statement from the abbey. Widdecombe served as a Conservative MP and later as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the Brexit Party, now Reform UK. She was most recently Reform’s immigration and justice spokeswoman, before her apparent murder at her home in Haytor, Devon, in July.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Today is the day we remember Ann Widdecombe. Ann was an extraordinary woman who left a serious mark on British politics. She will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, Ann.” – Nigel Farage on X (formerly Twitter).
🎯 IMPACT: Widdecombe’s funeral takes place as the investigation into her death continues. Joshua Kerry, a 28-year-old man from Rotherham, northern England, has been charged with her murder. Kerry is alleged to have far-left, anti-Reform beliefs. Kerry allegedly struck Widdecombe 21 times in the head with a hammer as she was having lunch. Counter Terror Police are also examining a potential link between the murder of Widdecombe and an attempted firebomb attack against Farage’s home, as per reporting earlier this week.

Image: European Union 2019.

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A memorial for Ann Widdecombe, a former Conservative lawmaker and Reform UK immigration and justice spokeswoman, is being held in Devon, England, on Wednesday, with Nigel Farage and other Reform leaders paying their respects to the legendary politician.

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