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
Reform MP claims Farage and Tice will ‘lead us into Downing Street’
James McMurdock, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock has told the Reform UK party conference that party leader Nigel Farage and Deputy Leader Richard Tice are “the people to lead us into Downing Street”.
Addressing the party’s conference in Birmingham, Mr McMurdock said: “There are people in this very room who will be Reform MPs alongside me in 2029.
“The momentum is absolutely on our side. What we have achieved in such a short period of time is nothing less than extraordinary.
“Nigel, or as I should call him the Honourable Member for Clacton, and Richard, the Honourable Member for Boston and Skegness, are the people to lead us into Downing Street.
“We will then be ready to welcome Nigel Farage, not just as a member of Parliament, but as the prime minister”.
Reform UK currently has five seats in parliament. More than 300 seats are needed to form a majority government.
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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.”
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