Inside Nigel Farage’s battle to get Reform election-ready

Nigel Farage is in a constant struggle to prepare Reform UK for the upcoming general election. The party currently has around 100 potential candidates ready, but a total of 650 is required to contest every seat in Westminster. Reform UK is actively seeking more candidates through a nationwide roadshow, which will commence its second round next week.

The urgency surrounding the recruitment process has increased due to Labour leader Andy Burnham's potential trigger of an early election. Burnham's rise to power could lead to early elections as early as 2029, putting pressure on Farage to have a battle-ready Reform UK team in place.

Initial assessments suggest that the party's recruitment process has become more rigorous compared to the Conservative party's selection method. Potential candidates undergo grueling vetting sessions, including giving impromptu speeches, outlining legislation, and participating in mock media interviews. These assessments are designed to ensure that only the most suitable candidates enter the party's ranks, as past poor choices have caused damage to the party's image and vote share.

Reform UK has implemented a new vetting process overseen by deputy chairman Paul Nuttall, and candidates have already spent nearly 32 days traveling across the country for assessments. Despite the progress made, the party has not yet achieved the desired 100 fully vetted candidates ahead of the conference in Birmingham. The spokesperson for Reform UK acknowledged the ongoing nature of the process, emphasizing that the goal is to prepare a battle-ready team for whenever a general election is called.