More than 1,500 people packed into a sold-out Reform UK rally on the Isle of Wight tonight (Monday), with Nigel Farage declaring the party can take control of the council in May’s local elections.
The event – which drew a mixed-age crowd and many non-members curious to hear the party’s message – was well received, with some people reportedly turned away after tickets sold out.
Reform UK chairman Dr David Bull told the audience that recent polling suggested the party was on course to win both Isle of Wight parliamentary seats at the next General Election, prompting loud applause from supporters.
But the focus of the night was the forthcoming local elections on 7th May. Tonight’s rally kicks of Reform’s campaign across the country.
During his speech, Nigel Farage praised the Island’s role in the 2016 EU referendum, congratulating on the Isle of Wight for its ‘Leave’ Brexit vote.
The Reform UK leader spoke about a range of national issues, but in what appeared to be a key moment of the evening, Farage turned his focus to local politics, telling supporters that Reform UK could make significant gains locally.
“We can take control of the Isle of Wight Council,” he said, prompting one of the biggest cheers of the night. Reform is expected to stand in the majority – if not all – 39 wards.
The rally featured a surprise appearance from former Conservative Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who delivered a heartfelt message to Reform supporters, members and voters – which was live streamed on the internet.
Strong rounds of applause were received when referencing policies including shutting asylum hotels, leaving the European Convention on Human Rights and introducing ‘common sense policing’.
Another one of the loudest reactions of the night came when Suella said:
“Speak our language, respect our values.
“…Vote Reform and let’s fix Britain”.
The night didn’t go without some drama though… 2 young male hecklers shouted ‘Tory in disguise’ but were removed from the venue. An older gentleman was also removed for his outbursts.
After arriving by private boat when his helicopter was grounded due to fog, Nigel Farage spent time meeting Island businesses – including representatives of the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce – to discuss the challenges facing the Island’s economy.
He also visited the Isle of Wight College’s CECAMM site in East Cowes, before enjoying a bite to eat and a good pint at The Lifeboat in East Cowes.
But it hasn’t been all rosy… Reform UK was called ‘dangerous, divisive and racist’ at the demonstration, organised by the Island branch of the national campaign group Stand Up To Racism. The protest took place outside Robin Hill, where Reform supporters were boarding coaches headed to tonight’s rally.
Just before the start of tonight’s rally, Island Echo and other local media sat down with Mr Farage to get his thoughts on a number of issues – more on this soon…
So 1,500 numpties attended the event.
Big mistake if they take control of the council.
This Reform Party is the old Tory party
full of reject tories.
Wake up F.F.S, don’t cry when it’s too late.
The same numpties voted Brexit and since
then the boats have been arriving in the thousands
Lol
You’re the biggest Numpty on this site, please just go boil your head!
Still talking to yourself
Goodness me,Enough is Enough, this article and comments have really touched a nerve with you, three comments by you basically saying the same on one article,obviously still havent got over brexit yet, and you do realise Mafeking has been relieved.You obviously fear what is coming but for the majority we welcome change,By the way on a factual basis the boats and illegal immigrants were arriving long before brexit was a word.
I have worked all my life 53 years Paid my dues Taxes Nat Ins etc i have to watch every Penny i spend i get nothing given to me and to see illegal Immigrants get looked after freehousing money free bus passes mob Phones etc i have no truck with with genuine refugees arriving but it has to stop now.
That’s life.
Illegal immigrants don’t get phones or bus passes and receive £49 a week to live on while their asylum claims are assessed. If they’re refused, they’re deported.If they’re accepted they can work. Overall, immigrants are net contributors. They pay more in through taxes than they take out. For Reform supporters, these are inconvenient truths that don’t fit the version of the story they’re being fed. There is a backlog in the system that built up during the Tory years but progress is being made. Reform disguise their policies that erode our rights and threaten the NHS by creating an atmosphere of fear based on lies and misinformation. Farage is charismatic ( if you like that sort of thing) but cares for no-one but himself.
I don’t fear what is coming, Reform couldn’t
change a light bulb.
Enough is enough for gods sake give it a rest Take a step back and a deep breath you are the biggest numpty on here by a mile . Oh and by the way a reform sunami is on its way.
Nothing will change, remember that in 2029
The New World Order is happening whoever is in power.
Too late he’s in get used to 5 years years of reform..bring it on..
It’ll be you crying soon ….numpty!
I am a numpty!
You are not alone, there are plenty of you.
Watch and learn Wrigley Quigley this is why your days are numbered as Liebor mp for the Isle of Wight. Along with your peado protecting boss two tier Kier get ready for a trip to the job centre. Move over for the party of real change.
He was absolutely fantastic a great evening by all, I can’t contemplate what will happen to our Country if Nigel does not get elected soon.
You numpties just don’t get it, you fell for the Brexit lies
and now all these lies.
Reform was created by their Elite bosses, they are gradually
getting all the old Tories to defect to Reform so in the end
you will be voting for the old Tory party.
Nothing will change, boats won’t stop arriving
Etc etc.
Too be honest the damage is already done, there is no
going back, get used to it, learn to adapt, the island needs
diversity.
I love seeing people from all backgrounds on the island,
it’s been unbelievable how the island as remained white all
these years.
Good so may it be like it for many more..
Why did the IOW council get / apply for 2 million quid to house migrants, and where are they??? Once again top secret from the council.
Why not many persons are in hotels in Bournemouth and
Southsea, why not on the Isle of Wight!
You do know that Ukrainian refugees are migrants and that protecting the personal details of refugees from countries such as Syria and Afghanistan is essential for their safety? Maybe you’ve forgotten that these people have fled countries because their lives were in danger.
This is the man who said we would be better off out of Europe and agrees with Trumps immigration policies … I wouldnt trust him if he said the sun came up in the morning
Neither would I, but uneducated numpties believe anything
they are told.
Thankfully he didn’t tell them to put their heads in an oven
The NHS would have been overwhelmed.
The NHS is already overwhelmed by all the extra people in the country. Don’t be so self righteous. Anyone that disagrees with you is a numpty? I don’t think so!
Reform will wrap up the NHS
If you have visited St Marys Hospital recently you will have seen that the vast majority of patients are white, British, mainly elderly, and that there is a very high proportion of medical staff who are not. If you catch the No 1 bus to the hospital near shift change times you will encounter a big group of these staff in their uniforms, especially for the evening and night shifts.
The NHS locally is absolutely dependent on immigration to fill vacancies.
Well said, the island needs migrants.
The NHS is overwhelmed because its funding, along with that for other public services, was cut to the bone by 14 years of Tory so-called austerity, penalising ordinary people and putting money into the pockets of the rich. Immigrants are not the problem. Farage, despite his flat-cap, ‘man-of-the-people’ persona, is just another one lining his own pockets.
3/10 made me reply
What exactly is wrong with trumps immigration policy,America removes people who do not belong and have no right to be in the USA, seems perfectly loigical and reasonable to me and would save this country billions annually, the only reason it does not happen in the UK is because turnaround starmer would lose his voting base overnight, As for Brexit, we are better off financially out of europe, it cost us 35 billion a year to be a member of this failed club and according to the left leaning institute for policy studies we only received 22 billion a year in benefits, seems a great deal of our money to be a member of a disaparte group who cannot agree on anything unless it suits France and Germany..
I can’t believe these un-intellect fools who are falling for this man’s bizarre facade- all because he’s going to “remove the immigrants”. England wouldn’t be where it is now without immigration, the NHS would completely collapse and most likely the economy. How can you take a man seriously who had to ‘revive’ his career by eating an animal anus on a reality tv show. Absolute joke
You cannot educate a numpty no matter how hard you try.
Illegal immigrants. Idiot. There’s a big difference
Reform is about illegal migration, not remigration. Best to get on top of the detail?:)
I cannot stop laughing seeing all these numpties.
What did Brexit achieve!!, Fcuk all.
Now unable to stay for long durations in Spain etc
“90 day rule”
People believe anything they are told!, grow up and
stop being so gullible.
Why vote for the Tory reject party when you
can vote for the real Tory party.
Joe for me.
The country had Jim’ll fix it,
now we have Reform will fix it
Lol
ah yes great idea, leave the European Convention on Human Rights, the thing giving freedom of speech, no torture or inhumane teartment, respect for private and family life, right for a fair and public hearing, and many more things.
How are people not understand that is a bad thing?
So, you are not going to mention where this rally took place?
That aside, although initially I believed Reform was the best option for this country to get the much needed change this country needs and away from Labour and Conservatives, which quite frankly are both terrible parties. I have found Nigel to flip flop on way too many issues.
I believe the best option for our country would be Rupert Lowe and Restore Britain. That being said, Rupert does not have enough tract to take on Reform just yet. I will reluctantly vote for Reform in the upcoming elections though, as I believe that they will be a stepping stone to Restore Britain in the future. If votes start getting split between these two parties, we will run the risk of neither party getting in and getting stuck with a mainstream party, which is the last thing this country needs right now.
Lowe is excellent, but remigration policies don’t feel right and they simply won’t work. It hasn’t been thought through. Britain needs this vote united, otherwise it will be a banana republic under a Miliband/ Polanski government and there will be not private sector to pay taxes, or not enough of them.
Just one quick google reveals this ‘mans’ true colours. He is a crook, snakeoil salesman and racist. So so sad that the public either don’t care, or can’t see it.
Goodness I wish for quiet, sensible politicians, not the clowns and shysters.
Spot on.
I’m not into politics at all, couldn’t care either way, but it’s funny to me that anti Reform voters are so vocal and full of hate whilst claiming to be against hate speech of any kind.
So quick to throw insults around but they’re the first people to throw their toys out of the pram when things don’t go their way. Look in the mirror and you may see why certain people believe that this country needs reform.
R acists want Reform!, end of!!
Good bring it on.
What ever your feelings on Farage he s a force that all other parties lack, I suspect in years to come reform will implode and splinter much like the social and liberal democrats did nearly fifty years ago, but in the meantime Reform can do so much good for the UK, placing british citizens first, people who make a successful career of doing nothing all their lives are made to work, and people with illusionary ailments no longer get any form of state financial support, it cannot come soon enough.
It is true, you may actually get some of that from Reform, IF they get into government..
Unfortunately, you’ll also get a lot more..
· People who are genuinely in need, having support removed.
Healthcare changed from the current, (free to the user) central government / tax-payer funded, system, to an American Style Insurance based system (where the whole thing is run, and prioritised for making profit for the insurance companies, rather than for the good of the patients)
· Removal of Freedom of Speech, (and every other protection that comes from being part of the ECHR)
· Removal of minimum wage & worker rights. (your boss could reduce you wages to whatever he wanted, or sack you with no reason,.. just ‘cos he didn’t like something about you.,.. maybe race, colour, sexuality,.. or even just your hair colour, or sense of humour)
· And much, much more…
Please,.. try to be broad minded, when considering voting for Reform,..
Yes, we all want things to be better,.. but just be careful of whatever else comes with the deal…
the un-mentioned negatives my well outweigh the inflated positives…
The whole package may not be quite as rosy, for you and yours, as Farage et al make out……
>absolute cope
not surprised
Something has to be done and reform can do it. At the moment the council cannot thrive off of parking tickets and hiring diversity officers. You see the state of roads, increases in council taxes and yet not alot chamges
Council taxes have been going up in Reform areas
Get with it!
Nige couldn’t stop a bus at a bus stop, but he is a good
speaker just like Trump and people become hypnotised
when listening to them.
do you honestly think, that if Reform get into power (either in our local council, or in government), that the financial problems of the local council will suddenly disappear,…
Just which part of the equation do you belive Reform would / could change if they get control of the council ?…
Increase funding from central government ??
(I somehow can’t see that happening, even if Reform get in to government,.. where would they get the money from to do that?? put taxes up ?)
Decrease expenditure by cutting services ?? ( I think most people on the Island would agree that services are bad enough already,,. without further cuts).. yes, they could get rid of a couple of staffing positions that you consider to be un-necessary (..DEI) but would that actually make any significant difference to the council’s finances..??
Cut Councillor’s pay / Pensions?? (D’you honestly think that any Reform councillor, who gets elected, is immediately going to vote to cut their own pay & pension provision)
FFS- time to move out!!
Just a thought for those shouting “all hail emperor Nigel” and wishing vote day was tomorrow. Nigel has publicly shown support for Donald Trump {and his actions}. British values {in my opinion} do not reflect the events seen over the past year in the USA. Even Americans are ashamed of their own country’s behaviour, toward their own citizens and other nations.
Suella Braverman, again says that the UK should leave the ECHR; those considering to vote for this, should first research the protections that the ECHR provides to the average British person {not just immigrants}. I acknowledge that there appears to be very little choice of who we can trust with our votes but everyone should read the party small print.
My final comment; Nigel {and presumably Suella?} were unable to use a helicopter, due to fog, to visit their supporters on the Isle of Wight, so were reduced to using a private boat; I wonder if they were tempted to travel on one of the ferries that the Islands residents must use {perhaps to indicate an understanding of island issues?}. Wait a sec, light bulb moment!!!!! £5.00 each x 1500 tickets = £7,500……..no brainer and possibly a glimpse of the future.
Yep shame didn’t use our wonderful ferries ..
No policies, making it up as they go along.
9 March, Economic spokesperson Robert Jenrick: ‘this war needs to come to an end as soon as possible because it is making Britain poorer….that’s why Nigel Farage immediately ruled out suggestions that the UK might deploy boots on the ground. Nor do we see why British aircraft should become involved in offensive action.’ Daily Telegraph
8 March, Reform Deputy Leader Richard Tice,: ‘We wld be helping the Americans and the Israelis in any way they saw appropriate’ GB News
28 February Reform leader, Nigel Farage ‘The Prime Minister needs to change his mind on the use of our military bases and back the Americans in this vital fight against Iran!’ Post on X
Gush, gush. IE has nailed is colours to the mast, then.
Yep.
I made a comment about Reform’s LACK of solutions other than ‘blame the immigrants’. I also pointed out that NOTHING has been done in Farage’s constituency of Clacton…no-one has ever seen him there, he spends too much time jetting off to kiss Trump’s arse (8 times in the first year).
The comment mysteriously didn’t materialise.
Sycophancy in infancy it seems.
Bunch of grifters and tax dodgers! The Council, Gov and UK economy would fully implode with this ilk in all while getting richer for themselves, they are just Tories on ultra steroids…
So true, majority of numpties who went along were
trades persons who are shy from paying taxes.
I cannot believe all those silly people that went to see Nigel Farage believe all his crap he’s a liar. He’s a Tory in disguise his racist.
You are educated to know that, numpties aren’t
bless them.
These ‘silly people’ are fed up with the status quo! It’s gonna happen – nothing you can do about it!!
What the same crap from labour the wankers.
stop glazing reform
If you fall for Nigel Farage and the rubbish he spouts after brexit you deserve everything you get , the man is a liar and a snake , he laughed in the House of Commons when the Epstein files were mentioned and he fully supports Trump who is wrecking the world as we speak .. that aside if people can stop listening to things that align with their racism try actually reading reforms policies and see how worse off we will be . Remember he said brexit would solve immigration which is all reform voters actually care about , and it did nothing.
Seen it all before, dangerous nasty individuals who will dump all their so called beliefs & Values and jump ship if power starts to slip away, if you was already a Tory with very right wing views then yes they probably are the party for you, I’ve always had the belief that most reasonable people in the centre and maybe slight left leanings think what’s the best for everybody, where as right wing tends to be what’s best for me. A generalisation I know, this mob are all about power, took generations to get decent human rights, it’s something worth fighting for not abandoning, health & safety in the workplace is a good thing, hundreds used to be killed or injured due to employers cutting corners for more profits, this mob will take us back to the 1950s, nothing lasts forever and we all hark back to the past and how great it was, it’s just human nature, simple fact is life in many ways is far better now, as tough as it may seem
We all have we know it all bullshit but maybe reform a slightly better sort of bullshit..
Reform is not a political party. It is actually a public limited company which has made millions of pounds. It only has one employee. I wonder who that might be?
A total grifter, like his idol across the pond.
Ask the Yanks how well it’s going over there.
This piece makes it sound like the audience was a cross section of society. In reality, you had to buy a ticket and to do so you had to be either a Reform supporter or anticipate voting Reform and produce ID. Hardly a balanced group.
1500, eh? Hardly Enoch Powell, is he? And some of us are old enough remember what happened to his ‘career’ after the Tories got rid of him. He switched allegiance in the vain hope some other party would give him a soapbox, his principles and opinions flip-flopping just to get a sniff of power somewhere, anywhere.
1500 wasn’t even the difference between them and the Greens in Denton and Gorton, such is the anti-Farage feeling.
It’s all about power and nothing about politics with him…just ask anyone who lives in Clacton. They haven’t seen him since he lied to get in there, too.
He should have called the party ‘Prestidigitation’, and the 1500 here would STILL vote for him.
Good to see the ‘village idiot ‘ being put in its place on here, tiresome little fool that it is.
Vote reform, but do your due diligence and take a look at Rupert Lowe…..like farage, only a much stronger dose!!
I hate to break it to you all who support Reform but they are not the answer to replace Labour, Restore are the answer, headed by Rupert Lowe.
Unfortunately none of them will get in as they will split the vote, people will vote for Reform, Restore and Advance UK, these 3 parties need to form one party otherwise Labour or the Conservatives will get in again.
Restore are a great party
Why is the anti Farage brigade so vitriolic? How can he be called racist when his nb2 is a coloured Muslim? He is the only politician around with convictions who can give straight answers to journalists without looking at notes.
Yes, spot on.
The vitriol spouted by the left demonstrates clearly that those who preach tolerance are quite incapable of demonstrating it themselves. The same can be seen on campuses up and down the country, where mere lip service is given to the concept of freedom of speech.
Because they are dead head labour goons think they’ve done a good job when we know they have not.
Brilliant! Go Reform! The silent majority are starting to speak up at last
The silent majority are clueless numpties.
good night out