My Experience at the Reform UK Conference 2026
Updated: Sep 30
by Rebecca
Attending the Reform UK Conference at Birmingham’s NEC was a valuable and memorable experience, offering a chance to hear directly from senior party figures, meet campaigners from across the country and see the scale of the movement first-hand.
My son and I travelled up on Thursday evening and stayed for two nights at the Ibis Hotel near Birmingham Airport. After breakfast on Friday morning, we made the short walk to Birmingham Airport International Railway Station and took the Air-Rail Link directly to the NEC. The whole journey from hotel to venue took less than 15 minutes.
Arriving at the NEC
On arrival, coats and baggage could be checked in free of charge before entering the main complex.
The NEC is a huge venue, with several events taking place across different halls at the same time. It is wheelchair-accessible, although anyone attending should be prepared for plenty of walking between different areas. Staff were visible throughout and were consistently helpful when we needed directions.
Security queues were long but moved steadily, with tickets and identification checked before entry. Once inside, the scale of the event immediately became apparent.
A Busy Conference Floor
The arena was packed with activity.
There were numerous stands promoting Reform UK policies and different parts of the movement, alongside smaller seminar areas and discussion sessions. Some events required advance booking, although many people were still able to watch from outside the designated seating areas.
A large media area had also been set up in the centre of the arena, with journalists carrying out interviews throughout the day. My son was even interviewed by a BBC freelancer for a TikTok video.
Meeting Reform Supporters and Campaigners
One of the most enjoyable parts of the day was the opportunity to meet people from across the party.
Popular Reform figures were circulating among attendees, speaking with supporters and stopping for photographs. I was able to say hello to Gawain Towler, Lee Anderson and Matt Goodwin, while I also saw David Bull, Jeremy Kyle and GB News journalist Christopher “Chopper” Hope around the venue.
There were also excellent opportunities to speak with campaigners from other parts of the country. I met Marie Vanessa Calou, a Chagossian Reform UK candidate for Addiscombe East in Croydon, as well as Councillor Marie Wendy Mariette from Crawley.
For somebody active in politics within a London borough, meeting people working in different constituencies and councils was particularly worthwhile.
There were also dedicated stands for groups including Veterans for Reform UK, Women for Reform UK, Farmers for Reform UK and Small Businesses for Reform UK, with volunteers available to explain their work and aims.
The Main Speeches
Announcements were made around 15 minutes before the major sessions began, giving everyone time to make their way towards the main stage.
Many people headed straight for the front rows, although I preferred the tiered seating, which gave an excellent unobstructed view. Large screens around the arena meant it was easy to follow everything taking place on stage.
The main sessions were energetic and focused heavily on what Reform UK would seek to achieve during its first 100 days in government.
One of the most notable moments came when Nigel Farage introduced Jordan Bardella, President of France’s National Rally, as part of a discussion around illegal migration across the Channel.
More Than Just Politics
The conference was also very well organised from a practical point of view.
Refreshment options were plentiful, toilet facilities were clean and queues were minimal, while there was also an outdoor smoking area available. my experience 2026 conference
The main daytime programme finished at around 6pm, after which we returned briefly to the hotel before attending the optional after-party.
Boney M headlined the evening and delivered a lively performance that had the crowd singing and dancing.
A Positive Experience
Overall, the conference was an enjoyable and worthwhile experience.
It was well organised, easy to navigate despite the size of the venue and offered plenty of opportunities to hear from senior Reform UK figures, meet fellow supporters and learn more about the different groups operating within the party.
For me, the most valuable part was meeting campaigners from other parts of the country and seeing just how many people are now actively involved.
I came away feeling positive about the experience and glad that I had attended.
