A claim has been circulating online, gaining significant traction, suggesting a direct link between the polling firm Merlin Strategy and the political party Reform UK. The widely shared post asserted that both entities shared the same office address, implying a connection that could raise questions about independence or influence.
However, a thorough fact-check reveals that while both Merlin Strategy and Reform UK were indeed associated with the same physical address, the crucial detail lies in the timeline of their respective tenancies.
The Truth Behind the Address
It is accurate that Reform UK previously occupied offices at the address in question. What the viral post conveniently omits, or misunderstands, is the chronological order of events. Our investigation confirms that Reform UK had vacated those premises well before Merlin Strategy established its presence there.
Merlin Strategy officially registered its operations at the address many months *after* Reform UK had already moved out. This critical time difference completely undermines the claim of shared residency or simultaneous occupation.
Therefore, while the address itself is a point of commonality, the timing clearly demonstrates that the two organisations did not operate from the same office concurrently. This instance serves as a strong reminder that context, especially temporal context, is vital when evaluating online claims and helps to distinguish between misleading information and the full truth.
Source: Original Article
