During the Reform UK conference in Birmingham, its leader, Nigel Farage, spoke out and said that the party will not tolerate “bigots” and “extremists” in its ranks. After the party achieved its first MPs in July, Farage addressed the controversy surrounding the party’s past candidates, claiming that they had not been “professional enough” to check their backgrounds. Farage also expressed his belief that the Reform UK represented and was fighting for the “silent majority” and that in being more professional, they could have won even more seats.
Farage went on to promise that the Reform UK would now vet candidates rigorously for future elections and that they would try to win more seats across local councils as part of their approach to winning elections on a national level. The party achieved success during the July 2021 elections, winning five seats and marking its presence in the UK Parliament. Already benefiting from this success and its recent rebrand, the party is now determined to overhaul its party structures and build longer-term electoral success.
With around 4,000 activists present, Farage’s appearance was accompanied by Eminem’s “Without Me.” In his speech, he announced that he wanted to “professionalise and democratise” the party, and he was clear in his vision to vet future candidates rigorously at all levels to avoid any past mistakes with “extremist groups” attempting to exploit the party. “The party is an adult, and this weekend, this weekend is when Reform UK comes of age,” Farage said.
Despite the party’s recent gains, it has become clear that achieving long-term success will require a more professional approach. Professionalising the party has become a priority, and Farage’s speech is one of the first steps in achieving it. The Reform UK is now aiming to kill off its amateurish reputation and build further support with the wider voting public
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