Richard Tice, the high-profile deputy leader of Reform UK and MP for Boston and Skegness, has been making headlines for more than just his party’s surging poll numbers. The businessman-turned-politician is now splitting his time between his Lincolnshire constituency duties, his work in the House of Commons, and frequent trips to Dubai – 3,500 miles away in the glittering United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The reason for Tice’s regular desert sojourns? His partner, the well-known journalist Isabel Oakeshott, recently relocated to Dubai with her children. Despite the geographical distance, both Tice and Oakeshott insist their relationship remains as strong as ever. “We are spreading our international reach,” Tice quipped when asked about the unconventional arrangement.
Reform UK Riding High as Tice Traverses Continents
Tice’s jet-setting lifestyle comes at a time when his party, Reform UK, is experiencing a surge in popularity. Formerly known as the Brexit Party, the rebranded group is now polling ahead of the ruling Conservatives in some surveys. As one of Reform UK’s five sitting MPs, Tice insists he remains fully committed to both his constituents in Skegness and his parliamentary duties in Westminster.
“I’m in the top 10 of speakers from the backbenches,” Tice noted, highlighting his active participation in Commons debates. But the globetrotting MP also believes there are valuable lessons to be learned from thriving international hubs like Dubai. “My family built their first ever skyscraper in Dubai in the mid-70s so we have known the place for a long time,” he explained. “Its growth is amazing.”
Tice: UK “Going to Hell in a Handcart” as Elites Flee
In stark contrast to Dubai’s meteoric rise, Tice paints a grim picture of the UK’s current trajectory. “The problem with this place is that it is going to hell in a handcart under this government,” he declared. “As long as we pursue these policies of high tax, high regulation and net zero we are not going to grow. Smart people are leaving the country. It is as tragic as that.”
Oakeshott echoed her partner’s sentiments, citing Labour’s proposed “pernicious tax on private schools” as a key factor in her decision to relocate her family to the UAE. The journalist, who now works as international editor at Talk TV and as a columnist for the Daily Telegraph, praised Dubai’s “endless opportunities” and “booming economy.”
“I continue to support Richard in every possible way as we pursue our shared ambition for a thriving Britain from which wealth creators and so many others are not tempted to flee,” Oakeshott affirmed.
Farage Too Busy for Dubai as Reform UK Looks to Future
While Tice and Oakeshott enjoy the perks of a trans-continental lifestyle, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has reportedly been too occupied with other international engagements to join the couple in Dubai. “He is quite busy,” Tice noted. “He has got various other international obligations.”
As Reform UK continues its improbable rise and the UK grapples with economic headwinds, Richard Tice’s unorthodox living arrangement may come to symbolize a broader trend of Brits seeking greener pastures abroad. While splitting his time between Skegness and Dubai, the outspoken MP remains convinced that urgent change is needed to prevent more wealth creators from departing Britain’s shores.
The Allure of Dubai: A Sign of the Times?
Tice and Oakeshott’s move reflects a growing allure of Dubai and the UAE for high-profile Brits. With its low-tax environment, booming economy, and luxurious lifestyle, the emirate has become an increasingly attractive destination for wealthy individuals and businesses looking to escape what they perceive as the UK’s stifling economic climate.
As Reform UK positions itself as the champion of disaffected voters and disillusioned entrepreneurs, Tice’s Dubai connection may resonate with those who feel the UK has lost its way. Whether jetting off to the Middle East or walking the promenade in Skegness, the controversial MP seems determined to chart a new course for Britain – one that looks beyond its borders for inspiration and opportunity.
