Nigel Farage has acknowledged that Reform UK must “energise” its supporters again after what he described as a “difficult summer”, as he spoke at a sparsely attended party event.
Despite a series of controversies in recent months and a corresponding fall in the party’s poll ratings, the Reform leader said he remained “optimistic” about its prospects.
The latest Ipsos poll puts Reform 12 percentage points behind Labour. The party is also four points adrift of the Conservatives, who occupy second place in the survey.
Mr Farage was responding to questions about Reform’s performance as he helped launch the party’s alternative “teal” budget book, ahead of Chancellor John Healey’s first Budget later this week.
Monday afternoon’s event in Westminster featured a notable number of empty seats. Mr Farage attributed the disappointing turnout to what he called “staff incompetence”.
Asked whether voters were losing interest in Reform after its early surge in support following the 2024 general election, Mr Farage said: “Markets are volatile.
“Markets go up, markets go down. We’ve had a difficult summer, of that there is no doubt. But are we optimistic? Yeah.
“A lot of our voters are just sitting back on their heels at the moment. Our job is to energise them and get them back.”
Nigel Farage has admitted Reform UK needs to “energise” its supporters after a “difficult summer”, speaking at a sparsely attended party event
Empty seats were visible at Monday afternoon’s Westminster gathering, with the Reform leader blaming “staff incompetence” for the low attendance
Robert Jenrick, Reform’s Treasury spokesman, had earlier outlined the party’s 64 job-creation measures ahead of Wednesday’s Budget
Mr Farage added that a future general election focused on Europe and immigration could help reawaken support for the party.
His comments came after Prime Minister Andy Burnham suggested that Britain could restore EU free-movement arrangements—or even seek to rejoin the bloc—after the next general election.
Turning to the empty seats at the Westminster event, Mr Farage said the problem was down to “staff incompetence”.
“It’s all well and good advertising to businesses but, on Mondays, people who run businesses tend to be rather busy,” he said.
“No doubt many of those that are here, it’s going to cost them a very great deal of money to have given up their day to come and visit us here in London.
“As you know, our party conferences etc., we get crowds like no other British political party has done in modern times.”
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Mr Farage was also questioned about an investigation into his conduct by parliamentary standards commissioner Daniel Greenberg.
The inquiry began in May after the Reform leader failed to declare a £5 million gift from crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne before being elected as the MP for Clacton in 2024.
Mr Farage told reporters: “Oh, this is a gem, this is. Under the rules, you can ask me any question you like and publish whatever you like. If I even acknowledge there’s a standards investigation, I’m in breach.”
‘There are some who think that standards are now being used as a political tool. You may very well think that. I couldn’t possibly comment.
‘What a farce, I mean goodness gracious me. He’ll judge at some point but I’ve no doubt he’ll be fiercely independent, oh yes.’
Robert Jenrick, Reform’s Treasury spokesman, had earlier used the event to set out his party’s 64 job-creating policies as part of an ‘Economic Rescue Plan’ ahead of Wednesday’s Budget.
These include support for the Rosebank oil field and other North Sea projects, along with a return to the wider use of imperial measurements and a ban on low-traffic neighbourhoods.
Mr Jenrick said: ‘Everything reported so far suggests this will be a ‘manana budget’, with John Healey dodging the tough decisions our country needs.
‘We can’t continue like this. The country can’t wait ten years for Andy Burnham to work out a plan – we need action now.
‘Reform would bring forward more than 60 job-creating measures in our first Budget to kickstart the economy.
‘These common-sense policies cost the taxpayer nothing – it’s a no-brainer.
‘Reform UK has the plan to make the economy work again: spend less, tax less, borrow less and finally put the British people first.’
Responding to Monday’s event, a Conservative Party spokesman said: ‘It must be cringingly embarrassing for Farage and Jenrick to be forced to address a half-empty room.
‘At her pre-Budget press conference, Kemi Badenoch addressed a room of over 300 passionate activists.
‘Reform have already stolen numerous policies that the Conservatives have previously announced for their “rescue plan”.
‘Now it looks as if they need to steal some of our activists to fill a room.’