Nigel Farage has seized on Angela Rayner’s shock resignation as Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, using the Reform UK party conference to accuse Labour of entitlement and incompetence.
The Reform UK leader, speaking on stage at the Birmingham NEC, said Rayner’s departure over her tax affairs highlighted a government “not fit to govern”.
Farage, who represents Clacton-on-Sea in Parliament, claimed the resignation “screams entitlement” and proves that Sir Keir Starmer’s administration is “as bad, if not worse, than the last government”.
@alrightgov Reform leader Nigel Farage brought his conference speech forward in light of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner’s resignation #angelarayner #nigelfarage #reformuk #reformukconference
♬ original sound – Alright, Gov? – Alright, Gov?
In a pointed jibe, Farage mocked Rayner as an “accomplished property developer and speculator” while accusing her of failing to meet the ethical standards expected of senior ministers.
The Reform leader had been scheduled to speak later in the day, but he said he moved his speech forward to respond directly to the resignation, which has shaken the political landscape.
His early appearance was kept under wraps until party chairman David Bull introduced him to the stage, surprising thousands of delegates gathered for the conference.
Despite the dramatic reveal, some attendees had already started leaving the venue, leaving rows of empty seats visible when Farage began his address.
As he spoke, however, sections of the audience returned to hear him attack Labour’s leadership and accuse the party of facing its own internal divisions.
Farage told supporters he believes Labour is heading for a “big rift”, similar to the Conservative splits of recent years, and warned that the cracks could deepen quickly.
He predicted that some Labour MPs may choose to back Jeremy Corbyn’s faction if they believe it offers a stronger chance of re-election than running under Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.
The Reform leader went further, suggesting that a general election could come as early as 2027, despite the current timetable setting the latest possible date for 2029.
He said economic pressures and Labour’s fragility would create conditions for an early contest, one he argued Reform is preparing to fight from a position of strength.
The theme of instability dominated speeches at the conference, with delegates repeatedly told that Reform is now the true alternative to the main parties.
Farage’s intervention came as Rayner’s exit dominated headlines, fuelling a wider debate over trust in government and the competence of its ministers.
Other senior figures joined the stage during the day, including Greater Lincolnshire Mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns, who entered to the sound of a song she co-wrote decades ago.
New party defector Nadine Dorries, the former Conservative culture secretary, was also given a high-profile slot, with her presence cheered by supporters.
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, another ex-Conservative heavyweight, is expected to take part in a discussion panel at the conference tomorrow, further underlining the party’s appeal to disillusioned Tories.
For Farage, the combination of Rayner’s downfall and recruits bolstered his message that Reform is no longer a protest movement but a serious contender in British politics.
