September always marks the beginning of party conference season, when political leaders, activists, lobbyists, and the media converge to take the temperature of the parties and set the tone for the months ahead. This year, Reform UK was first out of the blocks, hosting their biggest ever annual conference at the NEC in Birmingham on 5 and 6 September. 

For the organisers, the event was a clear success: thousands of delegates attended, alongside commercial exhibitors and a noticeable presence from public affairs professionals. The atmosphere in the main hall was more akin to a TV rally than a traditional political gathering, complete with Jeremy Kyle roaming the floor to interview attendees, and party chairman Dr David Bull holding proceedings together across the two days. 

Yet beneath the slick production, the conference revealed much about Reform’s strengths and its challenges. 

Style over substance? 

Nigel Farage’s headline speech was brought forward by three hours in an attempt to dodge the media noise of the government reshuffle. Prepared at short notice, it left little policy substance and limited impact outside the hall, though delegates lapped it up.  

Across the agenda, Reform showed itself still far more comfortable articulating what it opposes than setting out a programme for government. Illegal immigration, crime and so-called culture war topics dominated. Other policy areas such as health, education, defence, housebuilding, infrastructure and energy were notable by their absence.  

Fringe events did provide some additional colour. Farming sessions drew in sponsorship from the NFU, while debates on council finances attracted lively participation. But the impression remained that Reform’s policy platform is still very thin.  

Growing local presence 

One area where Reform UK does have a real story to tell is local government. Following their successes in May’s elections, many of the new Reform-led councils were represented at the conference. Leaders from Lancashire and Kent, in particular, were impressed with their accounts of what has been achieved so far. However, the substance of their achievements was not markedly different from what one might hear from council leaders of other parties.  

Still, the grassroots enthusiasm is undeniable. Richard Tice, stepping up as one of the party’s more effective communicators, captured the mood in sessions that painted Reform councillors as taxpayer champions rooting out waste. 

Looking ahead 

Reform UK are undoubtedly on the rise. More council wins and potentially mayoralties look likely next May. But the conference made clear that two challenges must be addressed if they are to make the leap from insurgency to a lasting political force: 

  • Personnel – with the same few spokespeople stretched thin, the party urgently needs to broaden its talent pool. 
  • Policy – beyond headline issues, Reform must deepen its policy offer into a credible programme for government.

As party conference season continues with Liberal Democrats, Labour, Conservatives, and the Greens in the coming weeks, Reform has set down an early marker. The energy and momentum are there, but without the people and policies to match, it remains an open question how far that momentum will take them.