Nigel Farage faced heckling from anti-racism protesters at his first London event since being elected as an MP, where he pledged to professionalise Reform UK and replace the Conservatives as the main opposition. Several individuals were ejected by security after interrupting the event, which featured Farage and three fellow Reform MPs.
Farage claimed the political establishment fears the party’s election performance, which saw Reform UK win over four million votes. He traded barbs with one heckler, asking where he was from; upon hearing “Glasgow,” Farage retorted, “Well that explains it.” The group Stand Up to Racism claimed responsibility for the disruption.
Farage introduced Lee Anderson, a former Labour and Conservative MP who defected to Reform, as someone on “a journey that millions of other people have been on.” Farage said Reform now plans to target Labour, criticising the party for abandoning its patriotic roots. He also promised to rid Reform of “bad apples,” referring to candidates dropped over racist comments, with the leader or chairman having final say on such matters.
Donald Trump congratulated Farage on his election win, posting on Truth Social: “Nigel is a man who truly loves his Country!” Farage told Anderson that vanquished Tory MPs like Andrea Jenkyns would have won if they had joined Reform. Anderson claimed 10 to 15 wavering Tory colleagues could have been Reform MPs.
Reform UK secured a fifth MP after a recount in Basildon South and East Thurrock, where James McMurdock won by 98 votes. The party’s success came despite controversy over candidate selections, with Farage emphasising a commitment to professionalism.
