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Even by the standards of the Reform UK party, it has been an interesting few weeks. In December, its leader Nigel Farage flew to Florida to meet Elon Musk, the multi-billionaire, where they discussed a possible donation. On Boxing Day, it announced its membership figures had surpassed those of the Conservatives. There was then a spat with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch over whether those numbers were correct.
Last Sunday in a post on his social media site X, Musk unexpectedly appeared to withdraw support from Farage saying he “doesn’t have what it takes” to lead the party.
And on Friday, 10 Reform UK councillors in Derbyshire resigned from the party, in protest at Farage’s leadership.
Reform UK members gathering on an icily cold Friday evening at Sandown Racecourse for the party’s South East conference weren’t disheartened by the possible loss of a rich and influential backer.
“He [Musk] has been dangling the money. I’m worried there would be strings attached, that he would demand some policies.
I think Reform got away lightly… Nigel has handled it diplomatically. I don’t think he can afford to have Musk too close. He is destructive, he could destroy Reform.
As the evening progresses, news emerges about the 10 Reform UK councillors in Derbyshire who resigned, arguing the party was being run in an “increasingly autocratic manner” and had “lost its sense of direction” since Farage took over.
Lowe is not there but some of the party’s other big names are, including MP and party founder Richard Tice and Chair Zia Yusuf.
The big themes include opposition to net-zero policies, support for a national inquiry into grooming gangs, the economy and the possible postponement of local elections in May.
More than half of the county councils due to have elections could ask ministers to delay the ballots, following a major shake-up of local government.
The subject has infuriated Reform UK members, many of whom hope the May elections could see the party make electoral gains.
“Those authorities are running scared. It’s disgusting, totally undemocratic, absolutely out of order. It incenses me,” she says.
Caroline Burford-Pugh, her husband Richard and their friends Charlotte and Matthew Lubbe have come to the event together.
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