Engaging a rising force: What to expect from Reform UK's conference
Considering going? Bradshaw's Gawain Towler on what you will find at Reform UK’s 2025 conference.
As the political season ramps up, attention turns to Birmingham's NEC for Reform UK's annual conference on September 5th and 6th. For business, this event represents a notable shift in engagement.
Reports from Bloomberg and Politico have already noted the growing corporate curiosity, with key lobby groups such as the CBI, FSB, BCC, IoD, Make UK and UK Finance planning to attend. This interest stems from Reform's ascent under Nigel Farage, prompting businesses to explore connections with a party that's redefining the right-of-centre space. However, the experience awaiting them may differ markedly from the familiar rhythms of traditional party conferences.
In the last two decades, corporate delegates have become used to polished affairs: sponsored fringe sessions, swag-filled networking areas, and addresses crafted to court investors. Reform's gathering, by contrast, is envisioned more as a trade fair, vibrant stalls highlighting local projects, interactive policy discussions on topics like immigration controls and economic deregulation, and an emphasis on tangible outcomes over corporate gloss. This aligns with Reform's straightforward, voter-centric approach, attuned to widespread frustrations with conventional politics. For those accustomed to the refined Westminster ecosystem, it could initially seem a departure.
The crowd will reflect this distinct character. Reform's ranks have swelled dramatically, with the majority of members signing up in the past year, drawn by discontent with Labour's initial policies and the Conservatives' lingering woes. These are dedicated folk: small business operators, entrepreneurs, former professionals, and everyday workers, who approach politics as a means for genuine reform rather than professional advancement. They're buoyant about the UK's prospects, profoundly involved in conversations around self-reliance and fiscal responsibility. Unlike attendees at other conferences, who might prioritise branded giveaways or scan schedules for complimentary receptions, Reform participants are more inclined to fill the auditorium for the full slate of speeches, absorbing ideas beyond just the leader's address and taking part in the debates (this year and moving forward, Reform UK Conference will include policy debates, no longer a glorified two day rally).
Celebration will certainly feature: convivial drinks to toast the party's remarkable progress over the year, from gaining five MPs in 2024 to the Council surge, the Runcorn by-election win and our Metro mayors, shaping broader debates. Reform is not a stranger to fun. Yet, it's underpinned by a profound sense of mission, a quality that's faded from many established party events amid prevailing scepticism. These members are approachable, devoid of entrenched cynicism, and generally receptive, fostering an environment of authentic exchange.
“Reform has transcended its outsider status; it’s now a frontrunner in national discourse.”
That said, some high-profile lobbyists and business representatives might perceive the setting as unfamiliar territory, like refined observers stepping into theatre in the round or viewing a new Bethlem hospital. But such a view would miss the mark entirely. Reform has transcended its outsider status; it's now a frontrunner in national discourse. Recent polling averages place Reform at the top, with support at approximately 33% in the latest City AM/Freshwater Strategy survey, outpacing Labour at 22% and the Conservatives at 18%. Projections from Electoral Calculus indicate this could yield a substantial parliamentary presence in a snap election, highlighting a durable realignment in public opinion.
This momentum is evident at the local level too. As tracked by @ElectionMapsUK, Reform continues to excel in council by-elections. In recent weeks, they've claimed victories with impressive margins: a gain from Labour in Llangennech (Carmarthenshire) at 43.1%, a hold in Easington & Shotton (Durham) with 46.7%, and a commanding gain in Hednesford Green Heath (Cannock Chase) at 51.5%. These successes build on a pattern of significant swings, far surpassing competitors. Such grassroots strength confers real influence; Reform currently controls around 10 councils, including notable ones like Kent (57 of 81 seats), Staffordshire, and Warwickshire, overseeing multimillion-pound budgets that affect local economies from infrastructure to local services.
Anticipating the 2026 locals, covering English districts alongside full elections in Scotland and Wales, Reform UK's appeal in devolved regions, where grievances with the SNP and Labour persist, could expand their footprint further. This would enhance their role in policy-making across the UK, from Edinburgh to Cardiff.
Crucially, the business community is already awakening to Reform's pro-business orientation, as fresh polling underscores. In the City AM/Freshwater Strategy survey of 1,259 voters from August 1-3, Reform emerged as the party most attuned to UK businesses' needs, scoring 4.8 on a 0-10 scale, ahead of the Conservatives at 4.4, Liberal Democrats at 4.2, and Labour at a low 3.8. Nine in ten respondents viewed government support for businesses as important, with over half deeming it very critical.
This perception aligns with Reform's policies: slashing taxes, curbing bureaucracy, and rethinking net zero commitments, which deputy leader Richard Tice says are "filtering through" to industry. Richard Tice's slogans, "make work pay for employees" and "make risk-taking pay for entrepreneurs", resonate amid falling economic confidence post-Labour's £20bn tax measures and surveys like the IoD's nine-year low in July. While some see current ties as "fascination rather than engagement," the poll signals a timely recognition of Reform's small-business focus.
In this light, corporate guests might find themselves the subjects of interest, viewed as intriguing figures from the realms of boardrooms and international lobbying, met with courteous amusement yet a measure of prudence. Many Reform supporters remain wary of large corporations' influence on agendas they challenge. Still, this caution invites constructive conversation. Reform's agenda, reduced taxation, lighter regulation, and growth-oriented migration policies, dovetails with business priorities.
For the business world, Birmingham offers an opportunity to connect with an upbeat movement unencumbered by historical constraints. It's a venue where intent overshadows showmanship, potentially forging enduring partnerships. As Politico observes, there's palpable excitement in corporate spheres about Reform, fuelled by dissatisfaction with the mainstream. Approaching it openly could reveal democracy's vitality: direct, authentic, and compelling. What might arise from this could reshape business-political relations in the post-Brexit landscape.