Reform UK conference – live: Tice defends Farage’s appearance record in parliament as party speeches begin
Mr Farage has visited the US three times since being elected as the MP for Clacton
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Richard Tice has defended Nigel Farage’s attendance record in parliament ahead of the Reform UK party conference in Birmingham.
The Party’s deputy leader claimed “no one works harder than Nigel Farage.” Mr Farage has spoken seven times in parliament since he was elected.
“As leader, you’ve got a huge job because you’re campaigning everywhere,” he told the PA News Agency.
“You’re sorting out the professionalisation with the chairman and so we’re sharing and sharing alike and that’s an important part of it.
“You can’t be everywhere all the time. It’s really difficult. But let me tell you, no one works harder than Nigel Farage.”
Mr Tice also defended his party leader’s frequent trips to the US, supporting his “friend” former president Donald Trump.
Mr Farage has visited the US three times since being elected as the MP for Clacton, including attending the Republican national convention in Milwaukee two weeks after the election.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer was forced to insist that he is in “complete control” of his government amid a row ahead of Labour’s annual conference on Sunday over the salary of his chief of staff Sue Gray and the acceptance of luxury gifts by himself and his wife.
Reform UK conference: Key timings to keep an eye on
Here are some key timings to keep an eye on today during the Reform Party Conference in Birmingham:
12:15pm: Speech from James McMurdock, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock
12:30pm: Ann Widdecombe, Reform UK Immigration and Justice spokesperson
12:45pm: Ant Middleton, TV personality and former Special Forces soldier
3pm: Rupert Lowe, MP for Great Yarmouth
3:15pm: Chief whip Lee Anderson
3:30pm: Deputy Leader Richard Tice
3:45pm: Zia Yusuf, Reform Chairman
4pm: Grand finale speech from party leader Nigel Farage
Farage receives standing ovation on entry
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage received a standing ovation as he entered the main hall of the party’s conference at the NEC in Birmingham.
A remix version of Diamonds by Rihanna was the soundtrack for Mr Farage’s arrival.
Reform voters are outliers who have ‘starkly’ different views about immigration than rest of the country, report finds
Read the full report from The Independent’s Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin below:
Reform voters are outliers who have ‘starkly’ different views about immigration
Supporters of Nigel Farage’s party are gathering for its annual conference in Birmingham
Some more pictures coming in from the conference
Pictured: Reform UK members begin to arrive for the conference
Richard Tice defends Farage’s frequent trips to the US
Nigel Farage’s relationship with former US President Donald Trump is “to the benefit of this country”, Reform Deputy leader Richard Tice has said.
Asked if he thought the party leader was distracted from his constituency duties by his trips to the US, Mr Tice told the PA News Agency: “Far from it.
“But as a leader of a party that is now becoming mainstream, international affairs, our relationship with our most important, strategic international partner- the US – is very important and the world will be a safer place if Donald Trump wins the presidential election.
“Nigel’s strong relationship with Donald Trump is actually to the benefit of this country and it’s quite right that he cements and strengthens that.”
Asked if the Mr Farage had attended Parliament frequently enough, Mr Tice said: “As leader, you’ve got a huge job, because you’re campaigning everywhere.
“You’re sorting out the professionalisation with the chairman and so we’re sharing and sharing alike and that’s an important part of it. You can’t be everywhere all the time. It’s really difficult. But let me tell you, no one works harder than Nigel Farage.”
The Independent Debate: Readers question Italy’s Albania scheme – but still want Starmer to act on migration
Readers question whether Italy’s Albania scheme would work in the UK
Under Giorgia Meloni’s plan, Albania will process asylum claims for Italy. Successful claimants will be moved to Italy, while those from safe countries will be returned home
Rachel Reeves under pressure to axe winter fuel cut after £10billion Bank of England windfall
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is under increased pressure to axe the cuts to winter fuel payments after being handed a £10bn budget boost by the Bank of England.
Ms Reeves was handed more room for manoevre as a result of a BoE decision to slow the pace of its quantitative tightening programme, which would reduce losses to the Treasury from bond sales.
Read the full report from our political correspondent Millie Cooke here.
James O’Brien praised for ‘brutal’ Nigel Farage comments moments after LBC interview
James O’Brien praised for ‘brutal’ Nigel Farage comments moments after LBC interview
‘What a handover,’ one listener said
Richard Tice says he is very happy with Farage’s decision to relinquish control of Reform
Reform Deputy Leader Richard Tice has said he’s “very happy” with the party’s new constitution as he and party leader Nigel Farage give up their shares in Reform UK limited.
Mr Tice told the PA news agency at the party conference in Birmingham: “We’re basically taking the party to the next step from being an entrepreneurial political startup through the election, so now we’re growing the professionalisation of it. Branches up and down the country, there’s, give or take, 150 already set up.
“And as part of the democratisation, we’re going to change the structure, change the constitution and that’s a natural evolution. Nigel committed to that, we did immediately after the election we knew we’re going to do that and so already we’re delivering on it.”
Asked about comments made by his predecessor Ben Habib criticising the party’s constitution that would require 50% of party members to remove the leader, Mr Tice said: “I’m very happy with the Constitution. Life would be boring if we all agreed with everything.
“And so Ben’s entitled to his view. We’re entitled to our view, we think it’s the right balance and the thing is, the key about leadership is you got to look forward. Let’s not be looking over our shoulder backwards. Let’s be looking forwards.”
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