Reform UK is set to hold its annual conference in Birmingham later this week, following a summer period that senior party figures reportedly hoped would be a time for making political gains.
However, the party has faced several challenges, including internal divisions. Nigel Farage reportedly reprimanded home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf for calling former Conservative defence secretary Ben Wallace a “traitor”. Divisions also emerged concerning the suspension of activist Tim Montgomerie.
Farage's decision to trigger a by-election in Clacton, reportedly to address pressure over an undeclared £5m payment from donor Christopher Harborne, meant he was focused on Essex for six weeks. A parliamentary standards investigation into this payment has now resumed, having been paused during the by-election.
Recent polls suggest a halt in Reform UK's surge in support. A More in Common poll last week put the party at 23%, four percentage points behind Labour, marking its lowest performance in 18 months. Ipsos polling also shows Labour leading Reform for the first time since the general election, with 28% to Reform's 25%.
Reform sources have dismissed these concerns, highlighting new policies and council actions, and stating that the conference will feature more headlines, discussions, and a business engagement programme.