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It has been a difficult time for Reform. A kind of malaise has hung about the party since the local elections. There have been a raft of internal changes, a barrage of funding stories, the Makerfield defeat and now, worst of all, the tragic murder of Ann Widdecombe. This morning Zia Yusuf, the party’s home affairs spokesman, will give a press conference focusing on security. But while those at the top of the party confess to feeling a sense of shock at Widdecombe’s death, work continues apace to overhaul the party for its next stage.
A fortnight ago, senior figures within Reform HQ gathered for a six hour-long meeting at Milbank Tower. Discussion centred on how best to get the party machine ready for a snap election. One of Reform’s achievements between 2024 and 2026 was transforming the old Brexit Party apparatus, built for air wars and proportional representation, into one that could fight and win contests under first past the post. In other words, moving from European style elections to Westminster ones instead. Regional directors ran swathes of the UK, with a branch structure set up on parliamentary constituencies. Now, it is all change once again as part of the plan to win 350 seats.
