September 19th 2024.
Tomorrow afternoon, Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, will be taking the stage at the party's conference. However, with security being a top priority, counter-terrorism cops have been called in to help secure the building near Birmingham where the conference will be held.
According to the party, there is a possibility of protests outside the venue at the National Exhibition Centre in Marston Green. This will be the first official gathering of party members, activists, and officials since the party's success in the July 4 General Election, where they garnered over 4 million votes and five seats in Parliament. In just two-and-a-half months, their membership has skyrocketed to over 80,000, making them even bigger than the SNP.
With over 3,000 tickets sold, the event is expected to be a large one, taking place over Friday and Saturday. To ensure the safety of attendees, West Midlands Police will be closely monitoring the conference, with measures that may include police dogs and armed officers. A party spokesperson expressed their disappointment in having to take such precautions, stating that it is a sad reality in the wake of the recent murder of MP David Amess. They also mentioned that security is a top priority as Farage has received credible death threats.
In preparation for the conference, Farage made an appearance on LBC this morning, speaking with host Nick Ferrari. During the phone-in, he addressed the risks involved in holding in-person surgeries in his Clacton constituency, saying that he cannot allow the public to come in with knives in their pockets. He also blamed politicians from Labour and the Conservatives for inciting violence, citing a recent poll that showed 51% of Brits hold him personally responsible for the summer riots in the UK.
Farage also faced criticism for defending former US President Donald Trump's controversial claims about Haitian immigrants. However, he stood by his statement, stating that Trump is often proven right in such matters.
Following the phone-in, LBC presenter James O'Brien began his own show with subtle jabs at Farage, who was still in the studio. Later in the morning, Farage made an announcement that he would be giving up his ownership of Reform UK. The party was originally formed as a private limited company, with Farage holding the majority of shares. However, he has now decided to hand over ownership and decision-making power to the party members.
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