The Reform UK party, which has been making headlines in recent weeks, held its South East conference at Sandown Racecourse on a frosty Friday evening. Among the guests were party members who had switched from the Conservatives to Reform as dissatisfaction with mainstream politics grows. However, the conference was held in the shadow of the departure of Elon Musk, the billionaire, who had been touted as a possible supporter. Although the sudden and public withdrawal of backing was a blow, most attendees didn’t seem concerned. “I don’t like this Musk chap,” said Gloria Jane Martin, a Reform activist.
Martin, a former BA cabin crew member who moved into property investing and politics, argued that Musk was “destructive” and added that she was concerned the billionaire’s support for Reform might come with “strings attached”, including certain policies. Nonetheless, the fact that the event was sold out, with some 850 attendees, illustrated Reform UK’s growing popularity.
While Musk has not explained his reasoning, reports suggest that he wanted Reform UK to “come out strongly in support” of Tommy Robinson, the right-wing activist. However, Reform UK’s leader, Nigel Farage, has ruled out allowing Robinson to join the party. Many at the conference expressed sympathy for Robinson but said any public association would be politically unpalatable.
Farage also weathered the loss of ten Reform UK councillors in Derbyshire over his leadership. He described them as a “rogue branch”. Yet, while accounts of unease among members were reported anonymously, most attendees seemed enthusiastic. The party’s chief draw appeared to be its pledges to oppose net-zero carbon policies, support an inquiry into grooming gangs, reform the economy and hold fast against delays to local elections, even in the face of a major shake-up of local government.
Reform UK, originally called the Brexit Party, has secured growing numbers of voters ahead of the next general election. But regardless of the party’s success, the conference attendees’ enthusiasm suggested a growing disenchantment with mainstream politics
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