Nigel Farage concluded Reform UK’s conference by urging party unity, following his decision to row back on a pledge to halt small boat crossings within two weeks of taking office. The event, held in Birmingham, was larger than in previous years and highlighted the party’s attempts to project a more professional image.
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The conference, however, featured several controversial moments. Notable appearances included a vaccine-sceptic cardiologist and Lucy Connolly, who was previously imprisoned for stirring racial hatred against asylum seekers. These interventions attracted attention and raised questions about the party’s platform and public messaging.
Delegates also unanimously approved motions to repeal the 2008 Climate Change Act and to remove what they described as “gender ideology from public organisations”. These motions underline the party’s focus on socially conservative policies, which have sparked debate across the political spectrum.
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Nottinghamshire county councillor Kelvin Wright, an NHS critical care consultant for 25 years, criticised certain proposals, saying it was “not acceptable for any institution to subvert these spaces”. The remarks reflect wider concerns over the party’s approach to professional and public-sector environments.
