Nadine Dorries, a former Conservative MP, says she’s defected to Reform UK. It’s a move that further strengths the top tier of the party.
It may help to bolster the chances of the upstart in a future general election. The evidence so far is the party benefits by such support.
According to a poll by YouGov, Nigel Farage MP (Clacton/Reform UK) is enjoying a surge of popularity.
In the last few days of October, 86% said their view of him is either “very favourable” or “somewhat favourable”.
It’s clear Reform UK are feeling buoyant right now. They’ve just ended their annual conference and proved a decent sized audience and a slate of speeches worth hearing can work.
They’re now pumping the stats accordingly, and it looks good on the backend of things. The party claims it’s got 85,000 members and counting, which is a good figure.
It also says it’s set up 266 branches in just two months which is a staggering increase in its reach. It isn’t yet clear how long these will last and which are able to bring results at the ballot box.
In many respects the views of Tory voters are key to the success of Reform UK because they are its natural bedfellows.
In fact, much of what Reform UK says and does borrows heavily from a form of conservative politics it sees as lacking in mainstream conservatism in the UK.
According to data compiled by YouGov, it appears Tory voters are divided on where things stand for Reform UK but are more hopeful for its future.
In brief, more Conservative voters have an unfavourable view of Reform UK than favourable, but the margin is slight. A difference of 6% separates them between polar opposites.
Alternatively on the question of influence so far in UK politics, 5% separates those Conservative voters who say they have not much or none and those that say a lot or a little.
In terms of next steps, more conservative voters want Reform UK to have influence in future than don’t. The margin between is 11%, and a further 19% sit on the fence.
It’s not a bad outcome for a relatively new party that’s only just made headwind in Parliament with its first big electoral win.
The case is growing in the longterm.
Reform UK began their annual conference in Birmingham yesterday. Its recent electoral triumph boosted the profile of the alternative conservative party beyond its small beginnings, and introduced a new generation of voters to a fresh, energetic brand.
Nigel Farage MP (Clacton/Reform UK) rose to speak at the end of the afternoon, and took the auditorium by storm. He pumped it with an enthusiasm only he has. It’s no small feat to rally an audience at the NEC, especially in a time when conservatives feel jaded.
On Friday Reform UK begin their annual conference in Birmingham for members and supporters of the party as well as assembled press. The lineup of speakers covers every base the party has right now.
On Friday James McMurdock MP (South Basildon and East Thurrock/Reform UK) kicks things off, followed by conservative heavyweight Anne Widdecombe. Next, ex-military Ant Middleton speaks followed by the rest of the party’s MP’s, and Chairman.
The next day is given over to further speakers and discussions about the party structure across the country. It’s the first chance ordinary members will have to share their views on what it will look like in years to come.
Rupert Lowe MP (Great Yarmouth/Reform UK) has given his maiden speech in the House of Commons today. He took a swing at the Conservative’s record on immigration.
“Uncontrolled mass immigration has failed Great Yarmouth, as it has failed the entire country. Just like the majority of the rest of the country, in 2010 they voted for lower immigration. In 2015, they voted for lower immigration. In 2016, they voted for lower immigration. In 2019, they voted for lower immigration. What did the Conservatives do? They allowed immigration to soar, with no thought to the brutal consequences.”
He also said employees are struggling in the “real” economy because of socialism. He quoted Margaret Thatcher by saying he backs “workers, not the shirkers”.
Reform UK is taking Parliamentary life in its stride. It’s also expanded its scope institutionally across the UK. In recent days Nigel Farage MP has announced new branch chairs that shows a rapid expansion of a years old barebones outfit.
The party now claims to have over 120 branches. A promotional video available on social media introduces some of those who now front the party at a local level with hopes to drive it forward.
The new faces also join a small cohort of councillors moving to the alternative party after its recent election successes. Lee Anderson MP introduced these local representatives from England and Wales on his social media profiles.