Farage Declares "Bigots Not Welcome" as Reform UK Aims for Professionalism

Social Media · 2024-09-22T20:36:03Z

Nigel Farage has made it clear that "bigots" and "extremists" have no place in Reform UK, signaling a move to "professionalise" the party following its recent electoral success. Speaking at the party's annual conference in Birmingham, Farage reflected on the party's journey since its rebranding, celebrating its first MPs elected in July but admitting that past mistakes had hindered its progress.

The main man @Nigel_Farage

I’ve been to a few Conservative conferences but none as exhilarating and empowering as this Reform one!

I have no regrets - Britain needs Reform 🇬🇧 #ReformUK24 pic.twitter.com/NKJLHDR0Sd
— Melissa (@Melissa5857) September 20, 2024

Farage acknowledged that the party had failed to properly vet candidates in the past, leading to controversies over offensive comments made by some. He conceded, "Amateurism let us down," and emphasized the need for a more rigorous approach moving forward. To address this, he announced a series of reforms aimed at making the party more professional, including stringent vetting processes for all future candidates.

Farage highlighted the party's potential to represent the "silent majority" of British voters, many of whom feel overlooked by mainstream political parties. He stated that with better preparation, Reform UK could have won even more seats in the July election. The party is now focused on building its national presence, with a particular emphasis on winning local council seats in next May’s elections. Farage noted that the party would be looking to emulate the Liberal Democrats in this respect, setting a target to win "hundreds" of council seats.

Reform UK, originally launched as the Brexit Party, rebranded in 2021 following the UK’s exit from the European Union. It now aims to establish itself as a permanent fixture on the political right, advocating for stricter immigration controls, tougher policies on crime, and lower taxes. As part of its evolution, Farage announced ahead of the conference that he would be relinquishing ownership of the party, which had been set up as a private limited company to expedite its creation before the European Parliament elections in 2019.

During his speech, Farage emphasized that the party must remain vigilant against being infiltrated by "extremist groups," a challenge that new political movements often face. "We don’t want extremists, we don’t want bigots, we don’t want people who think that way, because we represent the silent, decent majority of this great country," he told the crowd.

Farage’s address was delivered to a lively audience of 4,000 activists, the largest attendance the party has seen to date. To the sound of Eminem's hit song *Without Me*, Farage entered the auditorium at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, waving to supporters as he made his way around the room. The party’s four other MPs, including Lee Anderson, who was perched atop an open-top double-decker bus in the conference hall, watched on as Farage took the stage.

Elected as an MP in July on his eighth attempt, Farage spoke about his mission to "professionalise and democratise" the party, which he believes has already gained a crucial foothold in Parliament. He assured activists that Reform UK would not tolerate any form of extremism within its ranks. "We haven't got time, we haven't got room for a few extremists to wreck the work of a party that now has 80,000 members and rising," Farage declared, underscoring his commitment to steering the party towards long-term success.

As Reform UK looks to expand its influence in British politics, Farage's vision for a more disciplined and inclusive party could be the key to securing its future as a major force on the political right.

Credit: BBC 2024-09-23