Chris Mason: Reform face headwinds as they gather for conference
Reform UK is holding its annual conference amid internal financial scrutiny and a changing political landscape. The party faces challenges from a recovering Labour Party and a more prominent Conservative leadership.
Why it matters
The party's trajectory is a key indicator of populist political momentum in the UK following the departure of Sir Keir Starmer.
Image source, EPA By Chris Mason Political editor Published 3 September 2026, 02:55 BST Reform UK begin their annual conference in Birmingham a bigger party than they were a year ago, their numbers swelled at Westminster, at Holyrood, in the Senedd and in local authorities.
But they also gather amid significant political headwinds, much of which revolve around money.
There was that whopping £5m gift to Nigel Farage from Christopher Harborne, the Thailand based British billionaire, and the long running row about whether the money should have been declared by Farage once he became an MP.
Then there is, among other things, the Metropolitan Police investigation into donations to the party during the last general election campaign.
Reform insists that it "takes pride in its stringent vetting of donations."
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