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This year’s conference is proving to be among the most compelling I have attended.
As a seasoned observer of political gatherings for two decades, I acknowledge a certain degree of political enthusiasm.
My experience includes attendance at Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Scottish National Party, UKIP, and Green Party conferences.
To begin, I must admit to a delayed arrival this year.
The reason for this lies with Angela Rayner and the subsequent government reshuffle following her resignation, requiring my presence in London on Friday.
What makes this conference particularly captivating is the clear illustration of Reform UK’s rapid growth.
The scale of this gathering significantly surpasses that of the previous year.
It now resembles a major party conference, while simultaneously retaining the insurgent spirit the party seeks to project.
This unique combination is unprecedented in my experience.
The challenge lies in scaling up while preserving that initial energy, a balance they currently appear to be maintaining.
UKIP, at its peak, possessed a similar insurgent feel, but its focus was considerably narrower, and it was never seriously considered a potential governing party.
Its conferences, held at venues like Doncaster Racecourse, Exeter, and Torquay, had a distinctively homespun quality.
In contrast, Reform has secured Birmingham’s NEC this year.
The venue is expansive, potentially creating a sense of emptiness, but it is currently bustling.
I recognize one of the prominent catering trucks from other major party conferences.
The corporate lounge, sponsored by Heathrow Airport, is another familiar feature of large-scale conferences.
Thus far, the event appears conventional – at least for a major party.
However, I then observe a queue of attendees awaiting Nigel Farage to autograph their light blue Reform UK football shirts, purchased from the nearby merchandise shop.
The prominent “10” and “Farage” on the back of these shirts leave little doubt as to the movement’s aspirations.
Could one imagine Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch, Ed Davey, or John Swinney undertaking a similar gesture?
Highly unlikely.
In another section of the main exhibition hall, ten stands represent various regions of England and nations of the UK.
These stands are indicative of Reform’s rapid growth and professionalization, aimed at establishing the local branch network and volunteer base essential for a successful national political party.
This aspect of politics, while less glamorous than Nigel Farage’s keynote address, is arguably more critical.
A couple from Suffolk paused to converse, noting that they are first-time attendees at a party conference and recent joiners of Reform.
Another couple from Glasgow shared a similar sentiment.
Numerous young professionals are also present.
Two individuals having lunch invited me to join them. One had recently worked for a Labour MP, while the other had been a lifelong Conservative voter.
Those with prior political affiliations are predominantly, though not exclusively, disaffected Conservatives.
Throughout the venue, the party’s banner and conference slogan, “The Next Step,” are prominently displayed.
These words encapsulate the essence of the event: Reform’s momentum has been a defining political development of the past year.
However, the questions remain: can they sustain this growth, and ultimately, can they win the next general election?
“Can’t stop, won’t stop” is the prevailing sentiment among senior party figures, as membership approaches a quarter of a million.
Illustrating the party’s seriousness, what did Nigel Farage urge from his activists in his closing address?
Was it boisterous rhetoric and lighthearted jokes?
Not at all.
He emphasized the need for “discipline.”
He called for activists to resolve disagreements privately, not publicly, and to be willing to stand as council candidates.
Nigel Farage exhibits a focus and sense of purpose I have not witnessed in my nearly two decades of covering him.
He perceives an opportunity unlike any he has seen before.
Abolition won’t appear in a manifesto – but Reform does not want to shut the debate down.
The start of this political season has been wild, writes Laura Kuenssberg, and Labour now has Reform UK breathing down its neck.
Reform’s only Senedd politician has again denied asking a staff member to maximise her expenses.
Reform UK targets takeover of West Midlands’ two biggest cities as all out elections scheduled for next year.
Laura Anne Jones says the party is not ruling out backing the abolition of the Welsh Parliament.
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