What next for Reform UK?
Farage says party should learn from the Lib Dems in drumming up local support

"This weekend is when Reform UK comes of age," bellowed Nigel Farage at his party's largest-ever conference in Birmingham over the weekend, as he both revelled in its unexpected election success and looked to strengthen its future ambitions.
Farage and Reform "shook up" the general election in July, capitalising on the Conservatives' failing fortunes to win five seats in Parliament and come "third in the popular vote", said Politico.
That was a "warning shot to the established political parties", and while the Reform leader continued to reinforce his upstart message of defiance to the existing members at the conference, it was the declaration that the party must now begin "taking itself seriously" to make future progress.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
'Capitalise on disillusionment'
Ahead of the conference, Farage announced he would relinquish control of the party, which had been set up as a limited company, to its members and set up as other political parties do. That change was one of the initial signs that Farage is looking to make the party "fit for the long-term future", said The Independent. There are also likely to be "wide-ranging changes" to the party's structure as it looks towards its next big test at local elections in England next year.
That will be a building block towards the next general election when Reform hopes to "capitalise on disillusionment" of Labour and Tory voters to gain more seats, said Politico.
But to get there, the party needs to "professionalise", Farage said, as he "urged his party to learn from the Liberal Democrats" and focus efforts on "local activism and winning seats on councils" to "attract middle-of-the-road voters" sick of "endless scandals", said the BBC.
'Self-forced errors'
If Reform is to attract those disillusioned voters it must also rid itself of the "self-forced errors" it made in the last campaign, said Katy Balls in The Spectator. The party "is already working on candidate selection", she wrote, after it blamed poor vetting for getting caught in racism rows involving prospective candidates.
By distancing itself from these controversies, Farage believes the party can challenge Labour as it did with the Tories in the last election. While immigration remains Reforms "cause célèbre" and will push Labour on any "shortcomings", it will also hope to attack Labour's "austerity" and any job losses caused by its "so-called green transition".
There is a sense that Farage is approaching Reform's future with "hard-headed pragmatism", hence the "dull but important changes" announced at the conference, said Politico. But while he's given "members control of the party" and pushed them to pounce on public disillusionment, Farage "is still its main attraction".
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Richard Windsor is a freelance writer for The Week Digital. He began his journalism career writing about politics and sport while studying at the University of Southampton. He then worked across various football publications before specialising in cycling for almost nine years, covering major races including the Tour de France and interviewing some of the sport’s top riders. He led Cycling Weekly’s digital platforms as editor for seven of those years, helping to transform the publication into the UK’s largest cycling website. He now works as a freelance writer, editor and consultant.
-
Pope Francis obituary: modernising pontiff who took the Gospel to the margins
In the Spotlight For traditionalist Catholics, Jorge Bergoglio's reforms often seemed to go too far; progressives, though, will demand more of his successor
By The Week UK
-
Novel 'bone collector' caterpillar wears its prey
Speed Read Hawaiian scientists discover a carnivorous caterpillar that decorates its shell with the body parts of dead insects
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Judge blocks key part of Trump's elections overhaul
Speed Read Colleen Kollar-Kotelly's decision temporarily bars federal officials from requiring Americans to prove they are citizens to register to vote
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Kevin Warsh: the man who could replace Jerome Powell as Fed chair
In the Spotlight Powell's term ends in 2026, and President Donald Trump will likely replace him
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Nayib Bukele: the Salvadoran ally in Trump's deportation machine
In the Spotlight El Salvador's popular strongman rose to power promising to make his country safe
By David Faris
-
Labour and the so-called 'banter ban'
Talking Point Critics are claiming that a clause in the new Employment Rights Bill will spell the end of free-flowing pub conversation
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK
-
Trump tariffs place trucking industry in the crosshairs
IN THE SPOTLIGHT As the White House barrels ahead with its massive tariff project, American truckers are feeling the heat from a global trade war
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
El Salvador's CECOT prison becomes Washington's go-to destination
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Republicans and Democrats alike are clamoring for access to the Trump administration's extrajudicial deportation camp — for very different reasons
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Trump granting military control of federal border lands could circumvent the law
In the Spotlight The move could allow US troops to detain people crossing the border
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
America's woes are a foreign adversary's spy recruitment dream
IN THE SPOTLIGHT As federal workers reel from mass layoffs, the United States is becoming ground zero for international adversaries eager to snatch up disgruntled spies-to-be
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Trump's federal return-to-office mandate descends into chaos
In the Spotlight Was the administration unprepared, or was it a tactic to drive employees to quit?
By Theara Coleman, The Week US