2026 Fact Checks
This page lists fact checks published in 2026, examining political claims made by public figures, political parties, and commentators. Each entry focuses on verifiable evidence, primary sources, and clear distinctions between rhetoric and policy.
Reform UK “won the argument on immigration”
❌ Verdict: Misleading
Supporters and commentators claim that Reform UK forced other parties to adopt its immigration stance. The evidence shows rhetorical shifts, but no clear policy adoption, legislative influence, or institutional power supporting the claim.
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Asylum seekers are housed ahead of local people
❌ Verdict: Misleading
This claim conflates asylum accommodation with social housing. Asylum seekers are housed under a separate, temporary legal duty and are excluded from council housing waiting lists unless granted refugee status, after which they are assessed under the same criteria as everyone else.
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Reform UK is replacing the Conservatives
❌ Verdict: Misleading
Despite polling attention, local election results, and having five MPs, Reform UK has not replaced the Conservative Party as a national political force. Parliamentary representation, electoral system constraints, and institutional power remain decisive.
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