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Political whirlwind or storm in a teal cup?
2025-09-23
Dr Jack Willoughby, Institute for Policy Manager
Reflections on Reform Party Conference 2025
A week is a long time in politics, and a year is even longer. At the general election in 2024, Reform UK achieved a shock fourteen per cent vote share and little more than a year later, Reform UK entered Conference season with a twenty-eight per cent voting intention on YouGov; a seven-percentage point lead on the government. In that space of time, they have seemingly been making all the political weather, tearing apart the traditional party-political playbook at every turn. For once, the statement that this year’s Conference season will be like no other, appeared an understatement.
Stepping through the looking glass and into the conference centre, a singular thought dominated attendee minds; could this oft-chaotic freight train translate its momentum into a realistic and credible bid for national power.
Considerable effort has been put into Reform UK’s image; to present this as a party of power, rather than of protest. The Conference venue, laid out in similar vein to the flagship events of the more established parties of UK politics, had an air of professionalism, from its Exhibition space to its fringe theatres. Dig beneath the surface however, and the fringe offerings were rather thinner on the ground than some would expect.
Subjects up for discussion included multiple sessions on abandoning Net Zero, British high streets and dwelling on Reform UK’s prospects. Notable absentees included healthcare, foreign affairs and education. The narrow agenda appeared specifically designed to address the priorities of existing Reform voters rather than the business and industry representatives they were looking to engage or an uncertain general public they are seeking to win over. In time, the new Policy Board established at the Conference under Zia Yusuf, may well establish a broader basis for discussion.
From Reform FC shirts, to Nigel Farage endorsed gold bullion, the brand was front and centre, with some of the membership adorning Trump-style teal MAGA hats. That messaging was reflected in the Conference Hall, from the ‘vocal talents’ of Andrea Jenkyns to the rallying cries of the party leader, which included ‘Make Britain Great Again’. If MBGA had a more potent ring to it, perhaps the slogan would make more appearances. Whether a Trump-lite campaigning model can replicate the success it had stateside is also yet to be seen, especially with the US president enjoying a 70% dislike, and 16% approval rating on YouGov.
Reform UK’s membership are nevertheless united around that messaging, and the main speeches in the Conference Hall were delivered to thunderous and rapturous applause. In this environment, Nigel Farage is in his element and the loudest cheers were reserved for the notion of Nigel Farage being the number 10 heir apparent.
The resignation of Angela Rayner as both Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on Friday morning provided an open goal to Reform UK, and an unmissable opportunity for Reform FC’s number 10. Nigel Farage delivered his speech three hours early to capitalise on the opportunity, and to strike the most opportune contrast between a government in disarray and a buoyant Conference Hall. In a political landscape where adroitness is all too often painfully lacking, the Reform leader appears uniquely capable of sniffing out a political or media opportunity, positioning himself as the most recognisable politician in the country.
Joining Nigel Farage on stage was the newest Reform UK recruit, Nadine Dorries, whose recruitment has unveiled a division in the party’s outlook. The party line has been to emphasise the need for experience and know-how of government operations, whilst many of the party rank and file are adamant on the need for a clean break from governments of the past; new people with new ideas in government. This difference cannot be easily solved and looks to be one to rumble on.
Reform UK is a party at a crossroads; in need of more experienced heads to achieve its aim of getting into power and delivering radical change, but at significant risk of losing its USP and raison d’être by doing so. Given the current political climate, it was perhaps appropriate for Reform to fire the opening silo of this Conference season and await a response from the government later this month. This was, after all, a Conference that, like Reform UK, raised more questions than answers, but built on the momentum of the past year – a powerful force in politics, and one not to be underestimated.