Dissatisfaction with establishment politics is on the rise and offers a unique opportunity for a new political party to gain momentum, according to Brexit leader Nigel Farage. Speaking at the summer conference of Reform UK, the party he founded and will soon hand over control to its members, Farage emphasized the importance of hard work and determination while highlighting the potential rewards that could come from this movement.
Farage’s speech began by revisiting familiar talking points from his General Election stump speeches but quickly shifted focus to the transformation of Reform UK from a centralized body under his direct control to a nationwide federation of associations owned and controlled by its members. This change, according to party leaders, is crucial for preparing the organization to face rapidly approaching challenges.
The 2025 English council elections will serve as a “first big test” in May, with Farage calling it the “coming of age” for Reform UK. He encouraged the party to learn from long-established political groups like the Liberal Democrats, who have demonstrated a mature and effective grassroots approach despite their relatively small voter base.
Reflecting on the current state of British politics and the potential opportunities it presents for a new political force to break through, Farage acknowledged that there is significant disenchantment with the two major parties dominating the political landscape over the past century. He stated that this dissatisfaction creates an opportunity for Reform UK to capitalize on the growing unrest and potentially even capture the government of the United Kingdom as has been seen in recent years with right-wing populists in Europe.
Farage’s decision to relinquish control of the party at this point, rather than before when he faced criticism for running it like a business with himself holding the majority stake, is due to its size, with nearly 80,000 paying members, which makes it more resistant to entryism. While not specifically naming his old party, UKIP, Farage did mention Labour’s experience with hard-left entryism leading to Jeremy Corbyn.
To further prevent extremist groups and bad actors from hijacking the party, Farage announced that they will be hiring “full-time regional managers and regional organizers” and rigorously vetting candidates at all levels. This is done in an effort to protect the 80,000 members and ensure that Reform UK remains a party that represents the majority of the country who are decent and silent.
Speaking about the ongoing work to build a national grassroots organization for the upcoming May local elections in hopes of securing “hundreds” of council seats and further establishing the party at the local level in preparation for the next General Election, Farage cited the Liberal Democrat model as an example to follow. He highlighted their success in building branches, winning seats at various levels, and consistently engaging with constituents through literature and leaflets distributed in target areas.
By focusing on building teams, fostering unity, and establishing strong local connections, Farage believes that Reform UK can replicate the success of the Liberal Democrats and become a major force in British politics, providing an alternative to the disenchanted electorate seeking change.