Reform UK, under the leadership of Nigel Farage and newly appointed chairman Dr David Bull, held a press conference today to outline their strategy for the upcoming general election.
Both leaders spoke confidently about the party’s growing grassroots momentum and its plans to tackle government inefficiency.
Farage, in particular, emphasized the need to address what he described as “huge amounts of waste” within the political system, a sentiment that many voters may find appealing, especially in light of ongoing concerns over public spending.
However, despite their bold rhetoric, the scale of Reform UK’s growth and their ability to challenge the established political forces remains open to question.
Farage’s focus on waste and inefficiency resonated throughout his address, saying: “We have an all-star team of brilliant people working for free, dedicated to rooting out inefficiencies wherever they occur.”
While this might sound compelling, the reality is that Reform UK’s expansion is still limited. Farage’s claim of grassroots support, with 450 branches across the country, is noteworthy but falls short compared to the size and reach of the Conservative and Labour parties.
The Conservative Party alone has over 1,500 local branches, and Labour operates more than 2,000. These numbers highlight a significant disparity in terms of infrastructure, making Reform UK’s 450 branches seem far less impressive in the wider political landscape.
Dr Bull also expressed confidence about the party’s progress, saying, “Our growth has been nothing short of unprecedented.” He also claimed that Reform UK is now the largest party on two councils, with 832 councillors, “with more being elected every day.”
While these figures represent a notable achievement, they still place the party far behind the dominance of the Conservative Party, which holds over 8,000 council seats, and Labour, which also controls a substantial number of local councils.
The scale of Reform UK’s presence in local government is growing, but it remains a small fraction of the representation held by the two major parties..
A key issue that Farage highlighted during the conference was the party’s position on nuclear energy. He passionately defended the need for Sizewell C, calling it “moronic to close down Sizewell” and emphasizing that nuclear power is vital for the UK’s long-term energy strategy.
“We are a pro-nuclear party,” Farage declared, framing the issue as central to the UK’s plans to reduce emissions. This is a position that aligns with his broader pro-growth, pro-business messaging.
However, public opinion on nuclear energy remains mixed. A 2023 YouGov survey found that only 40 per cent of Britons support nuclear energy, with concerns about cost, safety, and long-term waste management still present.
While nuclear power is undoubtedly an important part of the energy conversation, Farage’s clear-cut stance on the matter could alienate voters who are more cautious about its potential risks.
Dr Bull also shared his ambitious vision for the party, boldly stating: “We are going to fight and win the next general election. We’re going to put Nigel Farage in Number 10.”
However, these declarations are not entirely in line with Reform UK’s performance in recent elections. Despite Farage’s significant profile as a Brexit leader, his political ventures outside of that movement have not always resulted in electoral success.
The Brexit Party, which he led, secured just two per cent of the vote in the 2019 general election. Reform UK, which evolved from the Brexit Party, performed similarly poorly in the 2021 Hartlepool by-election, where they finished a distant fifth, with just over two per cent of the vote.
These results suggest that Reform UK may face significant challenges in gaining traction against the two dominant parties, even with their growing grassroots support as seen in the recent local elections.
In addition to economic and energy policies, Farage also touched on cultural issues, including his discomfort with the burqa, which he described as something he “doesn’t like to see.”
While he made it clear that this issue is not a priority for Reform UK, the comment could nevertheless contribute to a perception of divisiveness, especially in a political climate where diversity programmes, religion and identity are key focal points.
His remarks on cultural matters risk alienating potential supporters who may be economically right-wing and disillusioned with the Conservative-Labour options, but less interested in debate around social cohesion and immigration.
On the other hand, Farage’s message about accountability and reducing waste could resonate with many voters frustrated by government inefficiency, but there are also questions about whether Reform UK can truly deliver on these promises.
Farage’s past record with the Brexit Party, including questions around campaign spending and financial transparency, adds an element of skepticism to his calls for government accountability.
During the Brexit Party’s campaign in 2019, there were concerns over the transparency of donations and how funds were managed, raising doubts about the party’s own financial oversight.
Farage and Bull are clearly positioning themselves as challengers to the political establishment, but their ability to follow through on these ambitious claims is still very much unproven.
The party’s performance in local and national elections has yet to demonstrate they can translate their grassroots momentum into real political power.
Furthermore, their policy proposals, particularly on cultural issues and nuclear energy, may not be as universally appealing as they would hope.
The next general election may well test whether Reform UK can build on its current momentum or if they will struggle to break through the dominance of the Conservative and Labour parties.
