In a speech brimming with newfound confidence, British populist leader Nigel Farage declared his Reform UK party was beginning formal preparations for government. Addressing a sold-out conference in Birmingham, Farage claimed Britain’s two main parties were in “meltdown” and positioned his party as the only force that could channel the nation’s anger and “make Britain great again.”
Who is Nigel Farage?
Nigel Farage, the charismatic leader instrumental in winning the 2016 Brexit referendum, now leads Reform UK.
Taking advantage of public dissatisfaction with the opposition Labour Party and the ruling Conservatives, Reform, a fringe party until recently, experienced a sharp increase in support. Despite holding only four seats in the 650-member parliament, the party’s performance in recent local elections and soaring poll numbers have fueled its ambition.
What Did Farage Promise at the Conference?
To prolonged standing ovations and chants of his name, Farage laid out a bold vision for a Reform-led Britain. His key pledges include:
- Stopping migrant boats crossing the English Channel within two weeks of taking power.
- Repealing human rights laws to enable the mass deportation of asylum seekers.
- Bringing back “stop-and-search” policing tactics.
- Scrapping all net zero climate policies.
- Ending what he called an “exodus” of wealthy citizens from the UK.
Why Does Farage Think He Can Win?
Farage exuded a sense of inevitable momentum. He pointed to the large, enthusiastic crowds and current opinion polls that suggest Reform is on course to challenge for power. He told supporters that British people see him as “the last chance we’ve got to get this country back on track.” He predicted the next general election could come as early as 2027—not the scheduled 2029, due to the potential collapse of the Labour government following the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
What Concrete Steps is Reform UK Taking?
Farage announced two significant moves to professionalize his party and signal its seriousness:
- A Defection: He unveiled the defection of Nadine Dorries, a former Conservative Culture Minister, from the Tories.
- A Government-in-Waiting: He is establishing a “department for the preparation of government” and has appointed ex-party chairman Zia Yusuf as head of policy.
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What Controversies Surround the Party and Its Leader?
The event was not without drama. A young woman was escorted out by security after shouting “Tax the rich!” during Farage’s speech—a moment highlighting the opposition his policies face. Furthermore, Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently criticized Farage as “unpatriotic” for going to Washington D.C. to lobby U.S. politicians, including former President Donald Trump, to help end what he called a “North Korea-style clampdown on free speech” in Britain.
Analysts also widely question the legality and feasibility of his flagship immigration plans, though they have already pressured the government to toughen its own stance.
Leaving the stage to blaring music and pyrotechnics, Farage framed his ambitious program as a national necessity. “It needs hope, it needs belief, it needs to smile again, it needs to believe in who we are,” he declared. Whether a political prophecy or mere spectacle, Farage has unequivocally declared that Reform UK is no longer a protest movement, but a party preparing for power.
