At this year's Conservative Party Conference, Tory members have shared their views on whether Nigel Farage and Reform UK still pose a threat, with many expressing a shift in sentiment. Just 12 months ago, Reform UK seemed unstoppable after sweeping local elections, and Farage becoming prime minister felt inevitable. However, after a summer of scandals and falling poll numbers, the mood among Conservatives appears to have changed.
Members See Reform Struggling
Sir Simon Clarke, a former Conservative minister and now director at the centre-right think tank Onward, believes Reform have taken a tumble. He said: "A year ago, Reform were riding high, now they're facing a string of scandals around reported sleazy donations and going backwards in the polls, while Nigel Farage is deeply unpopular beyond his base."
Luke Robert Black, 33, who lives in London and supports small businesses, was even more scathing. He said: "Nigel Farage's clearly tired and fed up. He doesn't actually want to be PM, and is more at home on TV or smoking cigars in Mayfair. Whenever I see him, he's angry, shouting at people or having to defend another scandal in his party. Even Reform voters think he is sleazy."
Black also accused Reform of being a left-wing party, saying: "Some of their policies you could lift from a 2017 Corbyn manifesto. When Suella defected, she said she was happy with Farage pursuing socialist policies. She's right, I guess, because Reform backed Labour's benefits spending, wants to nationalise private businesses and wants to affiliate with trade unions."
Warnings Against Complacency
Not all members share the confidence. Igraine Gray, 32, a writer from Loftus, North Yorkshire, warned the Tories should not drop their guard. She said: "We should always be worried about Reform, as we should any party, and we should not be naive to their strengths. They understand the anger and fatigue of many people when it comes to our political class and the mistakes they've made."
Jonathan Ash-Edwards, 39, the Conservative police and crime commissioner in Hertfordshire, said Farage would find it difficult to govern. He said: "I've always been sceptical of Nigel Farage because you can't always win elections on outrage and you have to be able to govern and do things and make difficult decisions and choices." He added that the Conservative Party needs to "continue to ensure its front with a clear, optimistic and ambitious vision for the country."
Miranda Jupp, 33, a public affairs consultant in the energy and industry sector from Guisborough, North Yorkshire, welcomed the shift in polls. She said: "It is welcome that we have now overtaken Reform in multiple polls. The route to win back the trust of more of those voters who turned to Reform, Labour, the Liberal Democrats or stayed at home in 2024 is to continue articulating a coherent, compelling Conservative vision for a stronger United Kingdom."
Young Members Unbothered
Joe Hill, 20, a bank worker and Conservative councillor in Staffordshire, said he is unbothered by Farage and thankful for Tory defections. He said: "Can't stand him, sorry!" He added: "I think we've had a shift in mindset now from Reform surging in the polls, and they are self-imploding. You look at the news, you see the scandals and things like that. We have stayed away from that. The people who would have caused those issues for us have now gone to Reform, thankfully."
