Nigel Farage is set to welcome a surprise guest to this weekend’s Reform UK conference in Birmingham, GB News’s Political Editor Christopher Hope has revealed.
Christopher has told People’s Channel viewers that the former Reform Party of Canada leader Preston Manning is set to attend the Birmingham event.
Explaining the significance of Mr Manning’s appearance, Christopher described him as “almost the godfather” of Reform UK.
He said: “I can reveal who is the surprise guest Reform will have on later, that is Preston Manning, the founder of the Reform Party in Canada.
“Why this really matters is the Reform Party in Canada in 1989 won one local by-election in Canada and then in 1993, swept the board.
“They beat the Conservative Party of Canada into third place on a platform of spending restraint, cuts in immigration and wider reform of the political system.
Christopher Hope explained why the move is significant
|GB NEWS / PA
“That is the exact thing Nigel Farage has been pressing about and what Manning will speak about later.
“He is almost the godfather of the Reform UK party here in the UK.”
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It comes as the insurgent party begins its two-day gathering in Birmingham, drawing over 10,000 participants to what party leader Mr Farage describes as evidence the movement is "on the march" with limitless potential.
The sold-out event, titled "The Next Step", represents a significant moment for the populist party that has transformed from political outsider to major force within three years.
Christopher Hope has explained why the appearance is a big deal
|GB NEWS
The conference comes as Reform enjoys unprecedented momentum, with recent polling showing the party commanding substantial support ahead of Britain's governing party. Party officials view the Birmingham gathering as crucial preparation for potentially forming a government following the 2029 general election.
Despite holding just four parliamentary seats, Reform's growing influence has pushed both major parties to respond to its policy positions, particularly regarding immigration control and civil liberties.
Former culture secretary Nadine Dorries revealed her switch to Reform UK yesterday evening, declaring that "the Tory party is dead" in an interview with the Daily Mail. The 68-year-old politician, who represented her constituency for 18 years before stepping down in 2023, becomes the most prominent Conservative figure to join Farage's party.
Her move follows earlier defections by former party chairman Sir Jake Berry, ex-Wales secretary David Jones and Dame Andrea Jenkyns.
Preston Manning will deliver a blueprint for Reform UK
|GB NEWS
Recent polling by More in Common indicates Reform's support base has broadened demographically, though immigration remains supporters' primary concern, with 86 per cent favouring reduced net migration compared to 58 per cent of the general public.
Mrs Dorries stated her decision to leave the party she'd served for three decades was "possibly the most difficult I've ever had to make", requiring "12 agonising months" of deliberation.
She praised Mr Farage as "the only politician who has the answers, the knowledge and the will to deliver", noting she had known him for considerable time.
Reform UK's membership has surged to nearly 240,000, with at least ten Conservative MPs switching allegiance to the party. A YouGov survey places Reform at 28 per cent support, significantly ahead of Labour's 20 per cent.
The Birmingham conference features addresses from Reform's four MPs and former chairman Zia Yusuf, who will host a cryptocurrency finance session as head of the party's "Doge (department of Government efficiency)" unit.
MP Lee Anderson is scheduled for a discussion about challenges facing young men.
Two former Conservative cabinet ministers will participate: Michael Gove will interview Yusuf, whilst Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg joins a panel discussion.
Mr Farage is said to envision an American-style cabinet potentially including House of Lords members rather than solely elected MPs.
Mr Yusuf revealed that "household names" and "galactic-level talent" have approached Reform about serving in a future administration.