Reform UK Party Conference
Stood outside the main hall of the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham where Reform held its summer conference at the weekend, two members discussed their views on the state of their Party: “we’ve been told we’re not allowed to upset people, screw that let’s upset people.” “That’s what we’re here for” the other quipped.
Whilst it is clear that the leadership of Reform want to professionalise their outfit, many in their ranks are still more comfortable with the beer hall rally they have been so used to over the last few years. So much so that during the controversial policy debates, there was an opportunity to take a photo with Nigel Farage in a completely separate part of the conference venue. This was evidently choreography, not coincidence.
Fundamentally, this is the identity crisis Reform is facing. Whilst Farage used his speech to try and establish them as a party of Government, there are certain things that they still can’t and won’t shake off. Lucy Connolly, convicted of stirring up racial hatred in the aftermath of the Southport attack, appeared on the main stage, as did controversial doctor Aseem Malhotra, who claimed an ‘eminent oncologist’ had said that the Covid vaccine was a ‘significant factor in the cancer of members of royal family’.
As they rise in the polls, how they navigate the wishes of their core base versus what the wider electorate want will be a delicate balancing act. Ahead of the last General Election, this was what Keir Starmer called his “ming vase strategy”. As they try and transform themselves – with the launch of the department for the preparation of government - will Farage and his acolytes exercise a similar type of strategic caution, and will that be enough for their membership?
Leader’s Speech
Nigel Farage MP took to the stage in Birmingham with a grand proclamation that Reform UK will win the next General Election, a sentiment that tried to set the tone for the Conference. Having moved his speech forwards to coincide with the announcement that the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner MP would resign her posts, he utilised the news to hammer home his key message that Labour are not suitable leaders, stating that the Government are “deep in crisis” and “not fit to govern.” The Conservatives fared no better than Labour he claimed as pointed to their “betrayals” over the last 5 years. Highlighting the crises in both the Conservative and Labour parties, he positioned Reform UK as the only suitable leaders, pointing to Reform UK’s growing branches and membership.
The leader’s speech then took the opportunity to look ahead to the upcoming Welsh and Scottish elections in 2026, which Farage called an “essential building block” on the journey to a 2029 General Election, following widespread wins in local elections over the past year. He praised the other Reform leaders, including newly elected Sarah Pochin MP in May’s by-election, in an effort to present a newly professional and united front and called on Reform members to play their part with financial donations.
In an attempted trump card for critics of Reform UK’s lack of professional experience, Farage welcomed Reform UK’s newest recruit Nadine Dorries to the stage, former Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Dorries took the opportunity to take a less boastful and more earnest tone, pointing the crowd’s attention to Government debt and Labour’s economic failures. She echoed Farage’s assertion that as Labour fractures, the Government’s weak economic performance will decline further, damaging public life. She wrapped up her speech with a call out to any Conservative members present to leave their loyalties and join Reform UK’s united front.
Farage finished by delving into the core Reform UK narrative and policy proposals. He touted the messages that many in the audience will have been expecting of him: the dangerous clamp down on free speech, zero tolerance policing and stopping the boats, adding to the last that Reform UK will “stop the boats within 2 weeks of winning Government.” He promised to end issues pertinent to Reform voters including violence against women and girls, illegal immigration and rounded it off by pledging to proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood. From the cultural to economic, he also emphasised that Reform UK would scrap net zero, bring reindustrialise Britain and teach young people trades, services and Christian values. Finishing his speech, Farage announced the appointment of Zia Yusuf as Reform UK’s new Head of Policy and left the audience with assurances that, whilst Reform UK are ready to govern, Reform UK are “just beginning”.
Summary of announcements
- Reform UK have plans to set up a new department to prepare for Government with Zia Yusuf as Head of Policy.
- Reform UK has announced they will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if they win the next election.
- Net Zero policies are set to be scrapped under a Reform UK Government.
- Reform UK announced they will reduce migration by stopping migrant crossings “within the first two weeks of Government”.
- It was announced that there will be a focus on educating young people in skills and trades as part of the plan to reindustrialise the UK.
- Considering dropping the two-child benefit cap as part of an initiative for more “British babies”.
- Free speech and zero tolerance policing will also be championed in a Reform UK Government.