The energy at Reform UK’s annual conference in Birmingham was undeniable. “I feel alive,” one party member – a pensioner and political novice – told The i Paper as he entered the gathering at the National Exhibition Centre.

The adulation for Nigel Farage was intense. Hundreds of members queued up to get his signature on a “Reform FC” football shirt, at a cost of £100 a pop. “I just love him!”, one activist spontaneously blurted out in the middle of the leader’s keynote speech on Friday afternoon.

Most of the country outside the convention centre could be forgiven for scarcely noticing what was going on. Minutes before the official start of the conference on Friday, Angela Rayner confirmed she was resigning as Deputy Prime Minister , instantly overshadowing the Reform shindig.

Fara

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