Reform conference shows party's growing ambition like never before

"What is fascinating about this gathering is it illustrates the pace of growth of Reform UK. It is a vastly bigger gathering than the party had last year. It now feels like a big party conference - but retains the insurgency vibe that the party is seeking to channel. That is the unique combination I have never seen before. Scaling up while holding onto that newbie energy will be a challenge, they seem to be managing both for now."

"This year, Reform has hired Birmingham's NEC. It is huge and it would be easy to leave a sense of rattling around in a tin in here, but it is busy. I recognise one of the big catering trucks in here from one of the other party's conferences. The corporate lounge sponsored by Heathrow Airport is another staple of the big conferences."

Reform UK held a much larger conference than the previous year at Birmingham's NEC. The venue was busy despite its size and included large catering operations and a corporate lounge sponsored by Heathrow Airport. The event combined conventional big-party conference elements with an insurgent, newbie energy centered on Nigel Farage. Branded merchandise and queues for Farage autographs signaled aspirational ambitions toward government, with "No. 10" shirts indicating political intent. Comparisons were made to UKIP's earlier insurgency but noted differences in scope, scale and the party's broader governmental ambitions. Scaling the party while holding onto that newcomer spirit presents an ongoing organizational challenge.

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