Nigel’s making plans – but there are only two people who should be worried about them...
The IndependentThe first surprise at the Reform conference was the queue snaking from the doors of Birmingham’s NEC centre, all the way down the access road. One said, “Pyrotechnics are in use during this show.” The other stated: “Only four alcoholic drinks per person may be purchased at a time.” Naturally, the fireworks were held back for the star turn, leader Nigel Farage – a man who, a procession of mahogany-tanned speakers assured us, somehow without cracking into laughter, is “our next prime minister”. If the injunction against over-purchasing alcohol had any effect, it didn’t show on the well-refreshed crowd that by mid-afternoon was chanting “here we go, here we go” like a sports bar during the Euros. Ant Middleton, a tattooed former commando bulging with muscles and menace, told the hall, “Don’t worry I’m not here to thrash the daylights out of you.” He looked as if he might enjoy thrashing people. That and the promise that an extra £25 would buy “a spectacular evening party filled with music, dancing, and drinks!” After four hours of build-up, the fireworks were lit and Farage finally took the stage.