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Reform’s populist buzz fizzles and its “shadow cabinet” trips; Paxton leads pricey Texas GOP primary; RFA seafarers back strike; M6 plots €80m AI-tinged cuts; California jungle poll still wide open; Camden Diocese okays $180m abuse settlement; Storm Pedro puts France on red alert

Reform’s “populist moment” fizzles (for now)

Despite scandals, tax hikes, and Tory infighting that should have rolled out the red carpet for a populist surge, Reform has slid to about 28% in polls from a 31% peak. Pollsters say immigration has faded as the top issue while the economy moves front and center, and voters still tend to trust Conservatives more on that. High-profile Tory defectors have not boosted Reform much because they are unpopular and most of their supporters already drifted over. Nigel Farage’s weak personal ratings and concerns about his foreign-policy sympathies also cap the party’s appeal, meaning Reform looks beatable even if it is not guaranteed to lose.

Reform tries on a “shadow cabinet,” immediately steps on its own feet

Nigel Farage has unveiled a “shadow cabinet” to make Reform look ready for government, and new Treasury spokesperson Robert Jenrick kicked off by backing restoration of the two-child benefit cap. That nudges Reform closer to Conservative policy and exposes early tension with Farage, who has shifted his own stance on the cap. With Reform still expected to need some kind of post-election deal with the Conservatives to enter government, Jenrick’s ambitions could get boxed in if the Tories demand control of the Treasury in any coalition.

Texas GOP Senate primary, $60 million of ads, and Ken Paxton still leads

Ken Paxton has weathered roughly $60 million in TV advertising from Washington Republicans backing Sen. John Cornyn, much of it spotlighting Paxton’s divorce, impeachment, and corruption allegations. With the March 3 Texas Republican Senate primary approaching, Paxton remains in front and says he expects to end Cornyn’s Senate career. Paxton only began running his own TV ads in mid-February and has held relatively few public campaign events.

RFA seafarers vote overwhelmingly for strike action over pay

Royal Fleet Auxiliary seafarers have voted nine-to-one in favour of strike action after rejecting the latest pay offer, according to union RMT. The union says members can work up to 12 hours a day but lack a clear, transparent formula for how pay is calculated against those hours, raising concerns about minimum wage compliance. RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey called the situation unsustainable and urged the RFA and the Ministry of Defence to enter talks.

French broadcaster M6 targets €80 million in savings by 2030 (and yes, AI is mentioned)

In its 2025 results presentation, M6 Group announced plans to save €80 million by 2030, citing weaker expectations for the advertising market and efficiency gains enabled by AI. The company said the plan would cut costs by about 8% over five years.

California governor jungle primary poll, Steve Hilton leads, lots of voters still undecided

A new Emerson College survey of California’s jungle primary for governor shows Steve Hilton at 17%, with Eric Swalwell and Chad Bianco at 14% each, Katie Porter at 10%, and Tom Steyer at 9%. Twenty-one percent of voters are undecided.

Camden Diocese agrees to $180 million settlement with clergy abuse survivors

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden in New Jersey has agreed to a $180 million settlement with more than 300 survivors of clergy sexual abuse, resolving claims after years of lawsuits and a 2020 bankruptcy filing. Diocese leaders described the agreement as a step toward accountability, while survivors’ attorneys called it a major milestone.

Storm Pedro keeps parts of France on red alert

Four departments in France remain on red alert as Storm Pedro brings more flooding and dangerous conditions. Météo France forecasts persistent winds of at least 100 km/h across the southwest, with gusts that could reach 140 km/h.

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