Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has hailed the populist party's 2024 General Election result and sent a message to GB News viewers.
The Clacton MP, who is delivering his major Reform UK conference speech, was keen to keep an eye out for GB News as he took to the stage at the NEC in Birmingham.
He said: "I just had a big 60th birthday. I'm in not bad health, which is down to clean living. I had a great job four nights a week at GB News which I was loving. Just been voted news presenter of the year for the second year in a row. And I had not one but two grandchildren on the way.
Farage added: "I was doing well, making money, no pressure, no stress, no abuse from the press. Life couldn't have been better.
"And then Rishi Sunak calls a snap general election and I think to myself, given the short time period, is there anything I can do. And actually would I want to do it? And would it be possible in such a short time frame?"
However, Farage opted to give it all up and eventually emerged victorious in the race to represent constituents in Clacton.
Farage later said in the end there were “two achievable goals” of winning millions of votes and getting a few Reform MPs elected, adding: “I am proud to say that in the early hours of July 5, both of those achievable objectives were realised.”
‘Scrap diversity roles!’ Rupert Lowe laments woke ideology as Reform UK celebrate ‘paucity’ of rainbow lanyards
Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe has lamented woke ideology as he celebrated the 'paucity' of rainbow lanyardsGB NewsReform UK MP Rupert Lowe has lamented woke ideology as he celebrated the "paucity" of rainbow lanyards.
Lowe, 66, who donates his MP’s salary to charities in Great Yarmouth, also received applause after committing to defunding the BBC and ending 20 miles per hour speed limits.
In a speech which also contained criticisms of devolution and legal migration levels, the former Referendum Party candidate said: “Let’s scrap every diversity related role in a vastly reduced public sector and judge people on merit.”
Zia Yusuf eyes up ‘Prime Minister Farage’ as Brexit ‘cynics’ warned to brace for rude awakening
Zia Yusuf delivered a major speech at the end of the populist party's annual conference at the NEC in BirminghamGB NEWSReform UK’s chairman Zia Yusuf has set out how Nigel Farage can become Prime Minister as he warned “cynics” of the 2016 Brexit campaign to brace themselves for a rude awakening.
Yusuf, 38, who made a hefty donation to Reform UK ahead of the General Election, delivered a major speech at the end of the populist party's annual conference at the NEC in Birmingham.
The entrepreneur, who joined Reform UK as a donor ahead of the 2024 General Election, is currently setting out measures to democratise and professionalise the populist party.
Rachel Reeves is considering increasing alcohol duty in Budget
Rachel Reeves
PAThe Chancellor, Rachel Reeves is considering rising alcohol duties at October’s Budget.
She has not ruled out putting up tax on beer, wine and spirits.
However, experts are warning that the impact could be "catastrophic".
'Get a job!' Reform supporters clash with anti-Farage protesters outside conference
There were protestors outside the Reform UK conference in BirminghamGBNReform UK supporters have been involved in heated exchanges with anti-Nigel Farage protesters outside the NEC in Birmingham.
A group of around 50 protesters gathered outside the venue where some 4,000 Reform UK members spent the day listening to Farage and other speakers.
A chorus of noise greeted members as they left the NEC, with chants against the populist party and its leader being heard via a loud speaker.
Farage urges 'People's Army' to mobilise ahead of Reform's 'big test of fire'
Nigel Farage delivers his conference speechGB NEWSNigel Farage has urged Reform UK's 80,000 members to mobilise as part of the "People's Army" as the Brexit stalwart sets his sights on victory in 2029.
Farage, 60, focused much of his keynote speech on mobilising and democratising Reform UK.
Responding to Zia Yusuf's Reform revamp, Farage stressed "amateurism" let Reform UK down on July 4.
Richard Tice brands Ed Miliband net zero's 'chief zealot' in stinging attack against Labour
Richard Tice didn't hold backGB NEWSReform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice has launched a blistering attack against Environment Secretary Ed Miliband.
The Boston & Skegness MP did not pull his punches after being involved in a Commons bust up with the Environment Secretary after the 2024 General Election.
Speaking to delegates at Reform UK's annual conference, Tice said: "He is the chief zealot. He really is. He’s absolutely obsessed. In the chamber, he’s like a man possessed.”
Labour's Starmer, Rayner and Reeves will not accept free clothing in the future
Sir Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves say they will not accept anymore free clothing in the future
PASir Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves say they will not accept anymore free clothing in the future.
It follows calls from Labour MPs for Starmer to pledge to stop accepting gifts after several days of negative press regarding his use of donations, including for clothing.
The Labour leader and his wife received money from the Labour peer Lord Alli for clothing, while the Prime Minister also had donations for new glasses.
Sources claim the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor will make the change.
Habib SNUBS Farage with support claim as rift grows in Reform UK - 'I delivered five MPs!'
Ben Habib has snubbed Nigel Farage with a shocking claim about Reform UK's 2024 General Election result as the rift between the former Deputy Leader and remaining members of the populist party grows.
Habib, who was sacked as Deputy Leader in July, appeared to suggest it was his work which saw Reform UK return five MPs to the House of Commons.
Speaking to GB News this morning, Habib said: "I see my future right now, in the present and in the near future as the conscience of Reform. I live and breathe Reform.
"I've put my lifeblood into it. Over the last couple of years, Richard [Tice] and I took it, when I joined, from six per cent to 16 per cent. That's how Richard and I delivered the five MPs in office."
Habib has become increasingly frustrated with Reform UK in recent weeks, decrying efforts to democratise the populist party.
He separately endorsed Priti Patel's short-lived bid for Tory leader.
Most pollsters believe Farage played a pivotal role in Reform UK making the political breakthrough it achieved on July 4.
YouGov put Reform UK's support at just 10 per cent a few days before Farage returned as leader and announced his candidacy in Clacton.
The populist party received 14.4 per cent of the vote just a few weeks later, with a post-election survey suggesting a further bounce.
Lee Anderson refuses to apologise to Khan as Reform MP laments London Mayor for failings: 'Never!'
Lee Anderson stood his groundGBNReform UK MP Lee Anderson has refused to apologise to Sadiq Khan and lamented the London Mayor for his record in City Hall.
Anderson, who lost the Tory whip after claiming Khan gave the capital away to "Islamists", doubled-down on his comments at Reform UK's annual conference at the NEC in Birmingham.
Speaking to 4,000 Reform UK members, the Ashfield MP said: "In my opinion, he has given our capital city away and he should be thoroughly ashamed of himself."
Holly Valance drops major hint about political ambitions with potential Reform MP run
Holly Valance spoke to Christopher HopeGBNFormer Neighbours star Holly Valance has confirmed she is considering running for Reform UK at the next General Election.
Valance, 41, is a major supporter of the populist party and even took credit for Nigel Farage returning as leader ahead of his victory in Clacton on July 4.
The actress, who is married to property tycoon Nick Candy, was tipped to stand against Tory Party chairman Richard Holden in Basildon & Billericay.
Speaking to GB News for Chopper's Political Podcast, Valance appeared to fuel further speculation about her political ambitions.
Rachel Reeves 'insists' on the removal of pictures of men from the Downing Street state room
Chancellor Rachel Reeves
GB NewsThe Chancellor has is believed to have enforced a new female-only rule on the decor in the Downing Street state room.
According to the new rules, all artworks on display in the state room must be "of a woman or by a woman".
The Guardian and the Daily Mail report that Reeves told an all-female reception at No 11 this week: "This is King James behind me, but next week the artwork in this room is going to change.
"Every picture in this room is either going to be of a woman or by a woman – and we’re also going to have a statue in this room of Millicent Fawcett, who did so much for the rights of women."
A Tory source branded the move "pathetic gesture politics".
Ann Widdecombe joins GB News to discuss Reform UK's chances
'We've come from nothing to over 4 million votes!'
— GB News (@GBNEWS) September 20, 2024
Ann Widdecombe is confident about the ability of Reform UK to grow into a serious electoral force. pic.twitter.com/7YteHcKjOP
'She's clueless!' Rachel Reeves lambasted over Winter Fuel Payment 'scandal' by Richard Tice - 'Completely wrong!'
Richard Tice has blasted Chancellor Rachel Reeves over the Winter Fuel Payment cutsPA / GB NewsChancellor Rachel Reeves has been branded "clueless" by Reform UK's Deputy Leader Richard Tice, as he hit out at Labour's "scandalous" decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners.
The move, which is set to impact around 10 million pensioners across Britain, has been heavily criticised across the political spectrum after being voted through by nearly 400 Labour MPs.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) also announced today that public sector net debt is now at 100 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), another blow to Reeves's first few months in office.
Reacting to the scrapping of the Winter Fuel Payment, Richard Tice told GB News that the Chancellor is "clueless", and has got the decision "completely wrong".
WATCH NOW: Ann Widdecombe tells GB News Reform can 'absolutely' form a Government in 2029
Ant Middleton issues 'civil unrest' warning as 'violence' infects British streets
'SAS Who Dares Wins' star Ant Middleton issues 'civil unrest' warning as 'violence' infects British streetsREFORM UK'SAS: Who Dares Wins' star Ant Middleton has issued a "civil unrest" warning to Reform UK members amid "violence" erupting across the UK.
Middleton, 43, who served in the British Army, Royal Marines and Special Boat Service, joined the populist party at the NEC in Birmingham to deliver a keynote speech at its 2024 annual conference.
The former Chief Instructor of Channel 4's 'SAS: Who Dares Wins' voiced concern about cancel culture and the refusal to allow the Royal Navy to halt Channel crossings.
However, Middleton dedicated a section of his speech to discuss the rise of crime.
WATCH NOW: Robert Jenrick tells GB News 'English identity is fraying'
Ann Widdecome slams Starmer over prison overcrowding
Widdecome slams Starmer over overcrowding after pushing for prisoners to go to 'disused' holiday campsGB NEWS
Former Tory Prisons Minister Ann Widdecombe has suggested prisoners should be placed in disused holiday camps to prevent overcrowding behind bars.
Widdecombe, who served as a Brexit Party MEP, delivered a speech to 4,000 Reform UK members and used her speech to criticise Labour's decision to release convicts early to curb overcrowding.
Labour's Justice Secretary pushed ahead with plans to release prisoners early, including 1,750 earlier this month.
Sir Keir Starmer revealed he was "angry" after seeing a number of ex-convicts celebrating outside of prisons across the country.
However, Widdecombe identified an alternative plan to deal with overcrowding.
“You take temporary measures to supply those new places. It isn’t rocket science,” she said.
Half of Britons think it will be unacceptable for Labour to blame promlems on last Tory Government one year from now
⁉️ Half (50%) of the UK public say it will be unacceptable for Labour govt to blame the Conservatives for state of the country in one year's time.
— Savanta UK (@Savanta_UK) September 20, 2024
Those who say it'll be unacceptable rises to 56% in 'a few years time'.
13-15 Sept
2,232 UK adults pic.twitter.com/N65xiBvhyX
Farage’s relationship with Trump ‘to the benefit’ of UK, claims Richard Tice
Nigel Farage’s relationship with former US president Donald Trump is “to the benefit of this country”, Reform Deputy Leader Richard Tice has said.
Ahead of the party conference in Birmingham where Farage is expected to announce plans to “democratise” the party structure, Tice said the party leader was “far from” distracted by his trips to the US.
Farage has visited the US three times since being elected as the MP for Clacton, including attending the Republican national convention in Milwaukee two weeks after the election.
He said at the time he was supporting his “friend” former President Trump in the wake of an assassination attempt.
Tice said: “But as a leader of a party that is now becoming mainstream, international affairs, our relationship with our most important, strategic international partner – the US – is very important and the world will be a safer place if Donald Trump wins the presidential election.
“Nigel’s strong relationship with Donald Trump is actually to the benefit of this country and it’s quite right that he cements and strengthens that.”
Top Treasury official blames UK borrowing surge on Tories
The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury has blamed a “dire economic inheritance from the previous Government” on a jump in Government borrowing last month.
Official figures on Friday showed public sector debt hit 100 per cent of gross domestic product in August for the first time since the early 1960s.
James Murray said the latest Government borrowing figures were “far worse than expected”, having come in higher than forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility.
The MP said the Treasury was facing a 'black hole in public finances' that it was “going to have to address in the Budget” with “difficult decisions around taxation, welfare and spending” to come.
Reform UK's James McMurdock calls for foreign criminals to be deported from Britain's prisons
Reform UK's James McMurdock calls for foreign criminals to be deported from Britain's prisons
GB News
Reform UK MP James McMurdock has called to have foreign criminals deported from British prisons, as he gave his keynote speech at the party's conference in Birmingham.
Speaking to Reform UK supporters, McMurdock said: "And while I recognise what a tremendous experience this is. I knew it was just the start of the hard work, not the end. And while I absolutely, absolutely recognise it's a privilege, I know this must be taken extremely seriously.
"So two months on, what have I done? How have I used my time? Well, when the government announced plans to release 5500 criminals back onto our streets, I was appalled. I did my research and I made a discovery. There are 10,000 foreign nationals in our jails.
"Those same criminals come with an annual cost to the taxpayer of half a billion pounds. I've been here two months. It shouldn't be that easy for me to find things like this. I mean that I wrote to the minister demanding they deport the foreign nationals. That would save us money."
Keir Starmer 'freebies' scandal sparks row as guest claims PM has 'done nothing wrong' - 'It's about integrity!'
Reform UK MP blasts Starmer as Labour 'prioritised' foreign aid budget to punish pensioners
Reform UK MP James McMurdock has blasted Sir Keir Starmer after he accused Labour of saving the UK's foreign aid budget while punishing pensioners.
McMurdock revealed a new detail about Labour's decision during his speech at the NEC in Birmingham.
Reform UK members shouted "shocking" and booed after McMurdock said: "We had increased our foreign aid budget by £1.4billion.
"What's more shocking is that that the same amount as the proposed savings from the Winter Fuel Payment is £1.4billion.
"I wrote to the Chancellor before the vote demanding we prioritise our pensioners over foreign aid."
'This has ruined my life!' McMurdock opens up about political journey after reaching cross-roads - 'I found Reform!'
South Basildon & East Thurrock MP James McMurdock has jokingly said being elected has "ruined his life" as he opened up about his journey to the House of Commons.
McMurdock, who only joined the populist party two months before, was about to give up on politics before seeing an interview involving deputy leader Richard Tice.
He said: “I saw an interview with Richard Tice speaking about the things Reform were offering.
"Putting money back in the pockets of working families, Getting the country’s economy moving again,
"Energy and defence policies that would offer stability to our country, Conversation over taboo topics like immigration, finally being had instead of swept under the rug.”
McMurdock added: “My biggest concern was those who had simply given up on politics. And who can blame them, just a month or so earlier I had felt the same frustration.
"These were difficult moments, but one experience stands out: after an unpleasant interaction with a non-voter, a kind family next door reassured me that they were all voting Reform. Moments like that put a smile back on my face as I continued the campaign."
McMurdock won South Basildon & East Thurrock in a knife-edge victory following three recounts, giving Reform UK its fifth MP in the House of Commons.
Bull opens Reform UK conference as boos ring out for Starmer's Labour
Former Brexit Party MEP David Bull has received a warm welcome just minutes into Reform UK's annual conference in Birmingham.
Boos rang out as Bull highlighted Labour's plan to axe the Winter Fuel Payments and slammed Sir Keir Starmer over "cronyism" in No10.
The first round of applause came as Bull spoke about the need to protect veterans.
He proceeded to highlight the major issues facing the NHS, including with spiralling waiting lists.
The Liberal Democrats were also booed later on after Bull pointed out the number of seats won by Sir Ed Davey in the first-past-the-post system.
Reform members head to NEC ahead of keynote speeches
Reform UK members have crammed into the NEC to listen to a series of speeches from the populist party's bigwigs.
The seats are starting to fill with just 10 minutes until James McMurdock kicks off proceedings.
There are some empty seats at the back of the hall but the atmosphere is lively, with chants going up.
Supporters shouted: "What do we want? Reform. When do we want it? Now."
Leaders figures in Reform UK received a standing ovation as they neared the stage, with excitement becoming the overwhelming feeling among activists and members.
Reform UK offers 'antidote to cowardice' amid warning Starmer will 'trample' Britain
Nigel FaragePAReform UK is offering the "antidote to cowardice" as Sir Keir Starmer "tramples" over Britain, chairman Zia Yusuf has claimed.
In a message to delegates ahead of today's Reform UK conference in Birmingham, Yusuf claimed members have the opportunity to put Nigel Farage in Downing Street by 2029.
He said: "We meet at a time of great peril for the country we love, as Starmer and the Westminster elite trample all we hold dear."
Yusuf added: "We have secured a beachhead in Parliament, and our leader Nigel Farage offers us hope.
"An antidote to the Westminster cowardice, a clarion call for patriots who know that the problems we face can be overcome."
The Reform UK chairman concluded his message by urging members to become activists in a bid to elect Farage as Prime Minister in 2029.
However, Yusuf is hoping to build on July 4 with key elections next year.
He was instructed to professionalise and democratise the populist party just weeks ago.
A new constitution has since been published and local branches have been springing up across the UK.
Habib rages against 'rehashed' constitution as ex-deputy leader snubs Reform UK conference
Ben HabibPAReform UK's former Deputy Leader Ben Habib has voiced his anger about the populist party's "rehashed" constitution ahead of the opening of the populist party's annual conference in Birmingham.
Habib, who delivered a keynote speech last year, joined GB News to discuss the changes ushered in by Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf.
He said: "When I got the Constitution the other day, actually, it was a rehashed document that I had rejected a year and a half ago, with a few changes here and there, which couldn't have been made by more than a paralegal.
"It certainly had not had the finest legal minds in the country on it.
"The document is very largely a mess, and it doesn't deliver the ability of the membership to remove the leader.
"And let me just get one thing clear. I am not seeking the removal of Nigel Farage.
"This has got nothing to do with Nigel Farage. But any organisation, whether it's political, private, governmental, if it has a leadership that cannot be held to account, that doesn't have checks and balances in place to ensure that they behave properly, and where the leadership don't recognise that they can be removed if they perform badly, that leadership and that organisation will fail."
Nigel Farage's knife threat fears fiercely defended by Richard Tice: 'No one has more visibility!'
Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice has staunchly defended Nigel Farage over his decision not to hold surgeries with his Clacton constituents.
Speaking to GB News this morning, Tice offered his support for Farage and claimed it is "up to the individual MP to make their own judgment about their personal safety".
Tice said: "Sadly, we saw just within the first ten days of Nigel's campaigning in the General Election, two attacks on him.
"That has to be taken very, very seriously, and that's why Nigel is making those important decisions."
He added: "No one's got more visibility, frankly, than Nigel on social media. His presence, as well as mine - I'm getting millions of views on my social media, and the other three MPs likewise.
"We're out there, we're making a noise. Frankly, we are the real opposition. The Tories have vacated the premises and are hardly ever in the House of Commons.
"I've spoken 16 times, I've challenged the zealot in chief Ed Miliband, I've challenged the Home Secretary, I've challenged the Health secretary on the failings of the NHS - so look, we're holding them to account."
Farage breaks silence on 'relinquishing' Reform UK to members ahead of annual conference at NEC
Nigel Farage was speaking at a Reform UK conference PA Nigel Farage has broken his silence after "relinquishing" his once untouchable grip over Reform UK as the populist party prepares to hold its annual conference in Birmingham.
The Clacton MP, who returned as Reform UK’s leader just weeks before the election, held a firm grip over the revamped Brexit Party until just a few days ago.
However, Farage is now keen to democratise the populist party following success on July 4 and after ex-deputy leader Ben Habib exerted enormous pressure to take bold action.
The new constitution, unveiled by chairman Zia Yusuf, includes a provision for members and MPs to potentially oust Farage as leader.
The 17-page constitution revealed that a vote on the leader can be triggered "by 50 per cent of all Members in Good Standing writing to the Chairman requesting a motion of confidence".
A vote can also be called "by 50 Members of the Parliamentary Party or 50 per cent of the Members of the Parliamentary Party (whichever is greater), writing to the Chairman and requesting a motion of no confidence".
However, this only applies if there are more than 100 MPs in Parliament. Currently, there are only five Reform UK MPs.
Breaking his silence on the revamped constitution last night, Farage said: “I no longer need to control this party. I’m going to let go.
“We will change the structure of the party from one limited by shares to a company limited by guarantee.
“And that means that the members of Reform that will own the party.
“I’m relinquishing control of the company and indeed of the overall control of the party.”
Farage also claimed that between 3,500 and 4,000 Reform UK members will descend on Birmingham for its two-day conference.
The 60-year-old Brexit stalwart will deliver today's closing speech in what supporters hope will propel Reform UK forward into the 2025 Local Elections.
Yusuf pleads Reform UK members to march Farage to Downing Street in 2029
Zia Yusuf told GB News "every week, we see momentum building, with new highs in the polls, membership surging to new records"Zia Yusuf
Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf has welcomed the populist party's supporters to the NEC in Birmingham.
Yusuf, who just days ago unveiled a series of constitutional reforms, warned members the UK is facing a time of "great peril" and claimed the "Westminster elite trample[s] all we hold dear".
In his note to Reform UK members, Yusuf added: "Reform has unparalleled enthusiasm. We must now build the infrastructure to harness it.
"We cannot do this without you. If you can, please get involved in your local branch.
"Volunteering to help knock on doors, deliver leaflets and turning out the vote will be pivotal in our success.
"If you do this, we will celebrate resounding wins at the council elections next year, perform brilliantly in Scotland and Wales after that, and then we will elect Nigel Farage to Downing Street to be our Prime Minister."
GB News arrives in Birmingham - SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
GB News has set up shop at the NEC in Birmingham ahead of Reform UK's annual conference.
The populist party estimates up to 4,000 members could be in town to hear speeches from the likes of Nigel Farage, Richard Tice and Lee Anderson.
Reform UK supporters can show their support for GB News by scanning the QR code next to our broadcasting hub to become signed-up members of Britain's News Channel.
'Unhealthy scepticism!' Ex-Boris aide DEFENDS Farage after row breaks out over constituency surgeries
‘There is a really unhealthy skepticism about this story. Over the last few years we’ve had two MPs lose their lives!’
— GB News (@GBNEWS) September 20, 2024
Oscar Reddrop on Nigel Farage's claim that he fears for his safety when interacting with constituents, after a string of incidents targeting the Reform leader. pic.twitter.com/Wn4ZDHeyIW
Former Boris Johnson aide Oscar Reddrop has defended Nigel Farage after a row broke out surrounding the Reform UK leader's decision not to hold in-person surgery meetings in Clacton.
Farage, 60, claimed the Speaker's Office advised him against the face-to-face meetings for security reasons.
The comments sparked backlash from those critical of Farage.
However, Reddrop defended the ex-Brexit Party leader.
Speaking to GB News, the former No10 insider said: "There is a really unhealthy scepticism about this story.
"Over the last few years we’ve had two MPs lose their lives."
Reform UK put 'members first' with conference 'celebration' - ANALYSIS BY CHRISTOPHER HOPE
GB News' political editor Christopher Hope has claimed Reform UK intend on putting the "members first" by holding a conference of "celebration" in Birmingham over the next two-days.
Christopher, who is in Birmingham to cover the conference, shared some insight on what to expect ahead of a series of major speeches later today.
GB News' political editor said:
Here we are at the NEC in Birmingham. I'm struck, having been to many party conferences, how it is set up to make it easy for members to get here. Whereas, the other parties are often aimed at lobbyists and big corporates. This is certainly an event where they're putting their 80,000 members first."
Discussing Reform UK's plans for the next two-days, Christopher added: "They're planning a big party in celebration of their recent wins."
UK borrowing highest since Covid-19 pandemic in blow to Labour's plan for economy
Rachel Reeves
GettyLabour has been dealt another blow to its fiscal agenda for the economy as public sector borrowing is the highest since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Borrowing in August 2024 was found to be the third highest on record, only behind 2020 and 2021, despite tax revenues being up over the period.
Costs, not including public sector banks came to £13.7billion in August 2024 which is £3.3billion more than in August 2023.
Immigration and woke ideology has put 'English identity at risk', Robert Jenrick warns
Tory leadership frontrunner Robert Jenrick has raised fears over the erosion of English identityPAEnglish identity is under threat from mass immigration and the metropolitan elite, Tory leadership frontrunner Robert Jenrick has warned.
The Conservative hopeful has raised concerns over the effects of a mix of "unprecedented migration... the dismantling of our national culture, non-integrating multiculturalism and the denigration of our identity" - which he said has "presented huge problems".
Though he called the UK an "open and tolerant nation, perhaps more so than any other country on Earth" where "people of every background have not just come to England, but, over time, become both English and British", he raised fears over the sheer scale of immigration to this country.
Farage 'received advice' against holding constituency surgeries amid safety fears
Nigel Farage in ClactonPANigel Farage has claimed he received advice which means he will not hold constituency surgeries in Clacton-on-Sea amid safety fears.
The Clacton MP, who was assaulted twice during the 2024 General Election campaign, alleged that the Speaker's Office provided the advice following criticisms about his opening few months in the job.
He said: "We’re not in a fit state to do the old-style surgeries, but do you know what, if you’ve got something to say to me as a Clacton resident, zoom is not the end of the world."
Farage added: "Do I have an office in Clacton? Yes. Am I allowing the public to flow through the door with their knives in their pockets? No, no I’m not."
However, Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: “As a constituency MP in Chorley, I hold regular surgeries myself with constituents - and whenever a Member asks for my advice on this matter, I always say that if you are going to hold constituency surgeries, make sure you take advice from the Parliamentary Security Department – and do so safely.”
A House of Commons spokesperson added: “The ability for MPs to perform their parliamentary duties safely, both on and off the estate, is fundamental to our democracy.
“The Parliamentary Security Department, working closely with the police, offer all MPs a range of security measures for those with offices or surgeries in their constituencies – helping to ensure a safe working environment.
“We do not comment on individual MPs’ security arrangements or advice because we would not wish to compromise the safety of MPs, parliamentary staff or members of the public, but these are kept under continuous review.”
Tice plans to emulate Lib Dems as Reform UK set sights on 2029
Liberal Democrat Sir Ed DaveyPAReform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice has suggested the populist party can learn from the Liberal Democrats' ground campaign ahead of the 2029 General Election.
Tice, who won the seat of Boston & Skegness on July 4, is looking to adopt a new strategy ahead of the 2025 Local Elections across England next May.
“We’ve got to take the professionalism to another whole gear and do the branches, because that’s how you’ve got to build up the ground campaign,” he told The Guardian.
“We’ve got to learn from the wonderful Lib Dems, who are very good at that. The truth is they’re the best at ground campaigning. I think we should give credit where it’s due. It’s what they’re really good at.”
Despite receiving less votes than Reform UK, the Liberal Democrats returned 72 MPs on July 4 after a slump in Tory support opened up swathes of seats in the so-called Blue Wall.
Reform UK is now looking to establish pilot associations across the country to put in place a ground campaign to contest key electoral battles.
The almost 4,000 members who arrive in Birmingham will have the opportunity to join sessions about creating new branches and choosing candidates tomorrow.
Habib SLAMS Reform UK's democratisation plans
I have been campaigning for the democratisation of @reformparty_uk. That is vital to Reform and the country
— Ben Habib (@benhabib6) September 19, 2024
On 22 August @ZiaYusufUK declared the finest legal minds were working day and night on producing a constitution which would allow members to remove the leader
Not true! pic.twitter.com/1INcuweNEH
Reform UK's former deputy leader Ben Habib has slammed Reform UK's democratisation plans in a lengthy video uploaded to social media.
The 59-year-old, who stood as the populist party's Wellingborough candidate on July 4, claimed the updated constitution was something first penned in 2023 and warned it risked power being "vested" in Reform UK's board.
Habib released a seven-minute video on the situation yesterday but will not attend Reform UK's annual conference in Birmingham today or tomorrow.
What to expect from Reform UK's annual conference
Nigel FarageGETTYReform UK's conference will see around 4,000 members descend on Birmingham for two days of speeches and fringe events.
South Basildon & East Thurrock MP James McMurdock will kick off the speeches just after midday.
Ex-Tory MP Ann Widdecombe and 'SAS: Who Dares Wins' star Ant Middleton will follow ahead of a short lunch break.
Rupert Lowe, Lee Anderson and Richard Tice's speeches will soon follow, with Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf appearing on stage just days after unveiling Reform UK's constitution.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage will provide the closing speech before members head off to a number of fringe events.
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