Nigel Farage blames 'staff incompetence' for a half-empty hall as he admits Reform has had a 'difficult summer'
Nigel Farage at a half-empty Reform UK event, as the latest Ipsos poll puts his party 12 points behind Labour and four points behind the Tories.Reform UK sits at 22.2% in the latest poll-of-polls, with the Ipsos survey placing Nigel Farage's party four points behind the second-placed Tories.
Guests were moved to seats behind the podium so the Westminster hall would look full on TV. Robert Jenrick was unveiling Reform's 'Economic Rescue Plan' two days before Chancellor John Healey's Budget. An Ipsos poll puts Labour on 32%, the Tories on 24% and Reform on 20%. Nigel Farage shrugged it off: 'Markets go up, markets go down.'
The Tories called it 'cringingly embarrassing' and said Kemi Badenoch drew over 300 activists.
Farage says an election fought on Europe and immigration could re-energise Reform voters.
Farage was filmed pacing a balcony during Jenrick's speech, prompting Labour jibes about 'crickets'.
