Journalist Isabel Oakeshott and Reform UK's Richard Tice wed yesterday during a ceremony at the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft. Following the Westminster service, the pair celebrated with guests at the Shard.
A Westminster ceremony at the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft
Journalist Isabel Oakeshott and Reform UK's Richard Tice wed yesterday during a ceremony at the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft. Located within the Houses of Parliament, this striking setting is traditionally reserved for MPs, peers, and senior parliamentary staff to marry or baptize children. the ceremony provided a formal backdrop for the couple, who are central figures in the current British political landscape.
Following the nuptials, the couple hosted a high-altitude reception at the top of the Shard. As the report states, the gathering included approximately 70 friends and family members drawn from various political circles.. Guests toasted the new union with a selection of English still and sparkling wines, marking a celebratory end to the Westminster proceedings.
Nigel Farage’s decade-long role in the Tice-Oakeshott union
The relationship between Richard Tice and Isabel Oakeshott traces back ten years to when they were first introduced by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. According to social media updates from Reform UK, the party has been vocal in celebrating the marriage of its deputy leader. This long-standing connection underscores the tight-knit nature of the Reform UK leadership circle.
The couple's path to marriage included a Boxing Day engagement in an Oxfordshire pub, where Tice popped the question. Oakeshott previously shared a humorous anecdote in the Mail's Eden Confidential column regarding Tice's cautious approach to their early courtship. She recalled him requesting a "14-day cooling-off period" during their initial meetings, a detail she jokingly attributed to the cautious nautre of politicians.
The move from Lincolnshire to the Middle East
The couple currently divides their time between Tice's seaside constituency in Lincolnshire and a city-state on the Gulf coast. This dual residency has become a notable aspect of their public profile. As the report states, the decision to spend significant time in the Middle East was driven by economic considerations regarding UK policy.
Specifically, Oakeshott has noted that the move was intended to avoid the imposition of VAT on public school fees by the Labour government. This lifestyle choice reflects a broader trend of high-profile figures seeking tax-efficient environments, even as they maintain active roles in British domestic politics. The couple manages this distance while balancing their professional and political commitments across two different continents.
Will they return to the UK before the next General Election?
While the wedding marks a personal milestone, it also raises questions about the couple's long-term presence in the United Kingdom. Oakeshott has publicly stated her intention to move back to the UK ahead of the next General Election, but the specific timing of this transition remains unverified. The source focuses primarily on Oakeshott's perspective, leaving the couple's unified long-term residency plans somewhat ambiguous.
There is also the queestion of how their international lifestyle will interact with Tice's responsibilities as the MP for Boston and Skegness. As they navigate their roles in Reform UK and the media, the tension between their Middle Eastern residence and their UK political duties will likely be a point of scrutiny for both voters and political opponents. Whether their return is timed to coincide with a specific electoral cycle remains to be seen.
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