Last weekend, I travelled to Birmingham for the Reform Conference as Iceni Engagement kicked off its Party Conference season.

I’ve attended many political gatherings, but I have never encountered such a mixture of positivity, theatricality, and fun. It felt far more like an Oasis gig than a party conference. Beers were flowing from 10 AM, long queues formed wherever Farage appeared, there was a constant buzz of excitable chatter – “What time is he on?”. Much has been said of Reform’s desire to move beyond being seen as the ‘Nigel Party’, but in Birmingham the opposite impression was unavoidable. Farage remains the gravitational centre of the Party. His presence is electrifying, his talent as a communicator unquestionable, his ability to wriggle out of scandal Teflon-like, and his appeal transcendent of the left-right binary. The fact that Reform is still very much the ‘Nigel Party’ is not a liability, rather one of the key drivers of their success.

The conference was not without its flaws. Chairman Dr David Bull stressed the professionalisation and democratisation of Reform. Progress has undoubtedly been made when one compares this year’s conference with the previous one, which was little more than a rally, yet it is clear further work lies ahead. The statements from an anti-vaccine doctor have been widely reported, and after attending the Party business session it was clear Reform is far from democratic.

In conversation with Gawain Towler – recently elected board member and a well-known figure within Reform – my concerns about a disconnect between grassroots councillors and the party’s leadership were reinforced. Iceni has been engaging with Reform’s hierarchy, particularly on planning matters. The leadership projects a strong pro-business, pro-growth stance and advocates housebuilding. Many councillors, however, are anti-growth. Towler, in his typically romantic language, described the situation as “a battle being fought on the frontlines by councillors, some distance ahead of HQ. Lines of communication are thin at best, and non-existent at worst.” This is understandable for a party that has grown explosively. The coalition of views within Reform is broad and not fully understood. Leaders and staff are inevitably playing catch-up, though senior members reassured me that steps are being taken. Strengthening the new Councillors Association and appointing former Chair Zia Yusuf as policy lead are intended to bring coherence.

The chaos engulfing the Labour Party hung heavily over the weekend. Behind the scenes, the mood was said to have shifted dramatically when they assumed on Thursday that Angela Rayner was set to resign. Journalists who had arrived on Thursday quickly returned to London, forcing a last-minute change to the agenda. Originally, Reform’s goal for the conference was to project itself as capable of challenging for government; by the end, that mission had evolved. The event became the launch of Reform’s preparations for power, which, given the size of their lead, now seems eminently possible on current trajectories. As Labour face up to the challenges of a new ‘opposition party’, the Deputy Leader elections to be held this upcoming conference will be pivotal for the party. Iceni’s Engagement team will be present for these elections in Liverpool and following proceedings closely.

Iceni’s Engagement team is able to advise on the Reform question. What they think, and how they should be approached. Drop us a line if you’d like to discuss the implications on your projects. ttaylor@iceniprojects.com