The defining theme of Reform's conference was its attempt to position itself as a credible, pro-growth governing party while maintaining its insurgent appeal. The theme of the conference was the first 100 Days and setting out what a new government will do.

The ABI hosted a joint event with other financial services trade associations, with Robert Jenrick as the speaker.  This was well attended by members and journalists, with strong engagement throughout.

Further to the conference, the Centre for a Better Britain will be publishing their report on financial services regulation which will be published on Wednesday 23 September for the Party to respond to.

Pensions and investment are the most important policy areas for financial services

• Pensions and investment were a focus across the Reform Party Conference. At our joint event with other financial services trade associations, Robert Jenrick commented on pensions investment. He did not support mandation but was critical of pension funds for not investing more in the UK and said this was an area he wanted to examine further. This creates a useful engagement point for ABI and members on how long-term savings can support UK growth while protecting saver outcomes.
• In Richard Tice’s conference speech, he repeated his plan to merge local government pension schemes to create a new sovereign wealth fund, noting that the Local Government Pensions Scheme is paying over £2 billion a year in asset manager fees which deliver poor performance.

Reform is positioning itself as pro-growth and pro-business, but on its own terms

• Reform sought to position itself as pro-business, with Richard Tice and Robert Jenrick presenting themselves as key contacts for business engagement. They also announced a business roadshow to attract international capital and reassure investors.
• Robert Jenrick announced plans to reform the OBR and ‘run competitions for superforecasters to join the body and pay competitive salaries to those who most accurately model the impact of Treasury decisions’.
• In terms of regulation, they want to make changes, such as increasing the regulators’ risk appetite, and said more practical economic experience was needed within the regulators.
• Richard Tice has also published his Teal paper on planning reform.
• Professionalisation remains Reform’s biggest organisational challenge
• Reform UK is growing very quickly, and this can be seen through recent hires in external affairs, and campaigns. These demonstrate where the party is professionalising, with the majority of those appointments moving from the Conservatives.

Internal leadership and succession questions are becoming more visible

• Questions about Reform’s future leadership appear to be becoming more visible. Several senior figures, including Zia Yusuf, Robert Jenrick and Richard Tice, are increasingly prominent in public and internal positioning. While Nigel Farage remains central to the party’s identity, members and observers are beginning to discuss how leadership and succession may develop before the next election.

Reform is emphasising decisive government and rapid delivery

• Across the conference politicians made a variety of commitments within the first 100 days. Richard Tice committed to reducing household energy bills by £250 within 100 Days of Reform UK forming a government.
• Nigel Farage committed to declaring a state of National Emergency, with Parliament sitting for 24 hours a day 6 days a week if needed, abolishing the ECHR and ending the small boat crisis within the first 100 Days, a Budget within the first 100 Days with Robert Jenrick starting the process of welfare reform immediately.
• Mr Farage said that those Ministers who fail to deliver on these pledges in the first 100 Days will be sacked and replaced.
• In closing his speech on the main stage Nigel Farage made several warnings. To the House of Lords, he said to abide by the Salisbury convention and if they block Reform manifesto commitments then they will appoint hundreds of Peers to get a majority and/or launch a public referendum to abolish the Lords. To the Civil Service he said anyone that blocks the Reform agenda will be sacked and replaced. To the judiciary he said that it is Parliament’s right to set the law and the courts to interpret it. If the courts stand in the way, then there will be judicial reform.