Nigel Farage reflects on Reform UK"s election setbacks in July

Nigel Farage acknowledged that Reform UK did not perform as expected in the July general election, attributing the disappointing results to the presence of 'bad apples' within the party. This admission came after a scandal involving undercover footage that revealed shocking comments from members of his local team in Clacton, which included violent rhetoric and derogatory remarks about various groups. The fallout from this incident severely impacted the party's campaign just days before the election. Farage emphasized the need for Reform UK to distance itself from such behavior to regain voter trust and improve its image. He expressed a commitment to 'professionalise' the party and avoid repeating past mistakes. Looking ahead, Farage set ambitious goals for the upcoming local elections, aiming to secure hundreds of council seats across England. He noted that achieving this would require significant organizational efforts, with 266 branches either established or in the process of being set up. Farage's strategy includes emulating the successful local campaign teams of the Liberal Democrats, indicating a shift towards a more structured approach to campaigning and voter engagement.