Reform leader Nigel Farage has said his party is on track to become the next government – adding that there will be a “big rift” in the Labour Party following Angela Rayner’s resignation.
Mr Farage struck a triumphant tone at the Reform UK conference in Birmingham this afternoon, where he said there is “every chance” the next general election will take place in 2027.
Politics latest: Major cabinet reshuffle
The Reform leader was due to speak at 4pm today but brought the meeting forward by three hours after Ms Rayner stepped down as deputy prime minister and housing minister.
Ms Rayner had been under pressure after admitting to Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast this week that she didn’t pay enough tax on her second home.
Mr Farage told activists he was making his speech earlier than planned because the government is “deep in crisis” following her resignation.
He continued: “You simply can’t get away, can you, from being the housing secretary and avoiding £40,000 of council tax.”
Ms Rayner had in fact failed to not pay enough stamp duty – not council tax as Mr Farage claimed.
Nigel Farage on stage at the party conference
The Reform leader said her failure to pay the money “screams to entitlement” and claimed the government is “as bad if not worse” than their Conservative predecessors.
Ms Rayner’s replacement as deputy leader of the party will be decided through a vote by members – with details of the contest to be set out at a later date.
Mr Farage said during his speech that he expects there to be a “big rift in the Labour Party” and added: “Before long, there’ll be Labour MPs that reckon they’ve got a better chance on the Jeremy Corbyn sectarian ticket.
“I think there is every chance now of a general election happening in 2027.”
Mr Corbyn announced in July that he would be setting up a new left-wing political party.
Mr Farage told members he believes Reform is “on track” to enter government and that he is setting up an internal department to prepare for office.
He also said he would stop migrants arriving in the UK on small boats within a fortnight if he wins the next election.
The Reform leader had been welcomed onto the stage with pyrotechnic smoke and fireworks and a standing ovation. People in the crowd were seen drinking pints as they watched his speech.
Mr Farage also welcomed former Conservative culture secretary Nadine Dorries on stage after the former I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here contestant announced her defection from the Tories on the eve of the conference.
The pair had an awkward embrace on stage which included Mr Farage kissing Ms Dorries on the top of her head.
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Awkward moment Nigel Farage and Nadine Dorries embrace
Ms Dorries told members: “I feel for the first time in a number of years as though I’m at a conference and amongst people who share the same principles and values as I have always held.”
Meanwhile, the Labour Party said Mr Farage was offering “anger without answers” with his speech.
It added in a statement: “His answer to the charge that Reform is a one-man band was to unveil one of the faces of failure from the last Tory government, Nadine Dorries.”
Dame Andrea Jenkyns, a former Conservative MP who defected to Reform after losing her seat in the last election, later walked on stage singing a song named Insomniac while wearing a sparkling outfit.
Dame Andrea reportedly wrote the song herself.
A man holds English flags as he attends the conference. Pic: Reuters
Nigel Farage on stage at the party’s conference. Pic: PA
Starmer shuffles his pack
The opening day of the Reform conference has been held as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been reshuffling his top team for the first time since taking office in July last year.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has kept her job, while David Lammy has been moved from foreign secretary to justice secretary.
Mr Lammy will also replace Ms Rayner as deputy prime minister.
Meanwhile, Yvette Cooper has been moved from home secretary to foreign secretary.
Shabana Mahmood will move from justice secretary to home secretary.
