Keir Starmer's right-hand man claims Nigel Farage 'hates Britain' in stinging attack against Reform UK

Speaking at the Global Progress Action conference, Mr Jones said: "The populist right do want to tear everything down. They don't want the institutions that we have.

"I don't really understand why Reform hate Britain so much - they hate the BBC, they hate the NHS, they hate the Government."

Mr Jones spoke after the Prime Minister unveiled his controversial plan to introduce mandatory digital ID for all British adults.

During the Prime Minister's speech, Sir Keir also appeared to take a veiled swipe at Mr Farage.

He told attendees: “This is the defining political choice of our times: a politics of predatory grievance, preying on the problems of working people. Using that infrastructure of division… against the politics of patriotic renewal.

“Rooted in communities, building a better country. Brick by brick, from the bottom-up – including everyone in the national story. Difference under the same flag.”

Mr Farage has long prided himself as one of Britain's most patriotic politicians.

During the 2024 General Election campaign, the Reform UK leader appeared to declare that he was more patriotic than both Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir.

Mr Farage slammed Mr Sunak for his decision to leave D-Day celebrations early, later swiping at Sir Keir over his decision to remove his Remembrance poppy while addressing British Muslims.

Polling conducted by More in Common found that Sir Keir's net patriotism rating stood at 36 per cent in the 2024 General Election campaign, just one-point higher than Mr Farage.

Meanwhile, Mr Sunak's score dropped to as low as -11 per cent following his D Day trip.

During a visit to Canvey Island on St George's Day this year, GB News found that Mr Farage appears to have won the patriotic debate.

Polls now consistently point to Mr Farage now being the most patriotic politician in Britain, opening up further fury from his rivals.

Sir Ed Davey even closed the 2025 Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth with an appeal to patriotic voters, insisting he loves Britain and the Union Jack.

However, Mr Jones's criticisms of Mr Farage appear to stem from the Reform UK leader's scepticism about the BBC.

Mr Farage has vowed to scrap the licence fee after accusing the BBC of being "institutionally biased".

Mr Jones's attack on the NHS has also been used against Mr Farage for more than a decade.

Despite Mr Farage previously suggesting the UK could adopt a French-style insurance model, Reform UK is now adamant that the NHS will remain free at the point of delivery.

The issue of patriotism has seen its salience increase in recent months after Britons started flying Union Jacks and St George's crosses as part of the so-called Raise the Colours campaign.

Flags were also a major talking point during St George's Day celebrations in April.

Ahead of April 23, Mr Farage accused Labour of hating the St George's cross.

"They hate the English national flag with a passion which puts them at odds with working-class England," the Reform UK leader said.