Reform UK leader Nigel Farage addresses bigotry after July MP wins

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, addressed the party's annual conference in Birmingham, emphasizing the need to eliminate bigotry and extremism within its ranks. Following the party's success in winning five seats in July's election, he acknowledged that the party had not been sufficiently professional in vetting candidates, which led to controversies over past comments made by some members. Farage stated that the party would implement rigorous candidate vetting processes for future elections to prevent similar issues. He expressed a desire to represent the 'silent majority' of the UK and criticized the amateurism that he believed hindered the party's potential to secure more seats. Farage outlined plans to emulate the Liberal Democrats by focusing on winning local council seats, aiming for hundreds in the upcoming May elections. This strategy is intended to strengthen the party's national presence and electoral viability. Farage also highlighted the importance of professionalizing and democratizing the party structure, noting that new political entities are often susceptible to infiltration by extremist groups. He reassured attendees that the party's initial structure had helped avoid such issues, but emphasized the need for ongoing vigilance. With around 4,000 activists attending the conference, Farage's message was clear: the party must move forward without the influence of 'bad apples' that had previously harmed its reputation. He called for branches to propose new policies for future debates, reinforcing the party's commitment to a more inclusive and representative political platform.