Bigots not welcome in Reform UK, says leader Nigel Farage

Reform UK, formerly known as the Brexit Party until the UK’s exit of the EU, won five seats at July’s election, giving it a foothold in Parliament.

Following its rebrand in 2021, it is aiming to become a permanent fixture on the right of British politics, with an emphasis on reducing immigration, tougher policies on crime and slashing taxes.

Now, it is aiming to overhaul its party structures, as it seeks to use its election performance as a platform to build longer-term electoral success.

Farage revealed ahead of the conference he would be giving up ownership of the party, which was set up as a private limited company to fast-track its creation ahead of the European Parliament elections in spring 2019.

Addressing delegates, Farage said the initial structure had allowed the party not to be infiltrated by “extremist groups”, adding that new political parties were often vulnerable to being “hijacked”.

But he added with the party “growing up”, it was now the right time to give members more of a say in the running of the party.

He added that “disenchantment” with the main political parties had provided the party with an opening, adding the “sky is the limit”.