Nigel Farage has declared that a general election could take place as early as 2027, following the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. Speaking at the Reform UK conference in Birmingham, the party leader said the turmoil within the Labour government meant his party must be ready to fight a contest two years ahead of schedule.
Farage criticised Rayner's actions as 'screaming of entitlement' and claimed the Labour administration was worse than the previous Conservative government. He predicted internal strife within Labour, citing the potential for a split as the left wing, including Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, reasserts itself. 'I think there is every chance now of a general election happening in 2027 and we must be ready,' he said.
The Reform UK leader also announced his party's core policy: to stop small boats carrying asylum seekers from crossing the English Channel within two weeks of taking office. 'We will stop the boats and we will detain and deport those who illegally break into our country,' Farage pledged, adding that this was a matter of national security and public safety.
Farage was joined on stage by former Conservative cabinet minister Nadine Dorries, who confirmed her defection to Reform UK. Dorries accused the government of economic mismanagement and claimed Labour was 'fracturing and dividing into two'. Former Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns also appeared, performing a self-written song and urging the audience to stay alert to the UK's problems.
In his speech, Farage touched on culture war issues, praising the display of St George's cross and union flags as a gesture against the establishment. He pledged to scrap net zero policies, protect free speech, and promote traditional education. Three hecklers were removed from the event, with security criticised for their handling of one protester who was carried out and left on the ground.
