Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK, posted a picture on social media showing supporters canvassing in Birmingham, with the caption: "That is what resilience looks like. This is what belief looks like." Many X users suspected the image was AI-generated or manipulated, according to multiple reports.
Reform UK stated the photograph is real but was slightly edited using AI, mainly to increase brightness. However, analysis by Peryton Intelligence found the image was almost certainly generated or altered using AI. The analysis noted specific artifacts: smeared faces, extra fingers, inconsistent signs, and pixel patterns. Tice claimed the photo was taken in Erdington, Birmingham, and that support has grown significantly since 2022.
That is what resilience looks like. This is what belief looks like.
According to The Guardian, Green party leader Zack Polanski accused Reform of using fake campaigners, saying there is nothing real about the party. This is not the first time Reform politicians have faced controversy over AI use. It remains unclear what specific AI tool was used, whether the people in the photo were real supporters, or what action Reform UK will take.
The support, the recognition and the mood was something I had never quite seen before. On 7 May, this part of Birmingham is extremely likely to elect Reform councillors, and in a general election it could go even further and elect a Reform member of parliament. That possibility felt distant four years ago. It does not feel distant now.