Farage and Jenrick face empty seats at Reform event

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 16:57 · Archive

Nigel Farage and Robert Jenrick delivered speeches to near-empty rows at Reform UK's economic plan launch on Monday.

Nigel Farage and Robert Jenrick, Reform UK's leader and Treasury spokesperson, unveiled their 'Economic Rescue Plan' on Monday in Westminster's Lindley Hall. The proposal promised to cut Westminster's spending 'addiction' through 'substantial tax relief' and debt reduction ahead of the government's Budget announcement on Wednesday.

The event was marked by rows of empty seats around the main stage. Organisers moved existing guests to seats behind the podium to make the hall appear fuller for television coverage. A Conservative spokesperson criticised the turnout, noting that Kemi Badenoch's pre-Budget press conference had attracted over 300 activists. GB News' political editor Christopher Hope asked Farage directly whether people were 'falling out of love' with his party.

Farage attributed the sparse attendance to 'staff incompetence' and suggested business leaders were too busy to attend on a Monday. He told reporters that those attending had incurred significant travel costs to reach London. The Mirror reports that Farage appeared to sigh while watching Jenrick deliver the speech from a balcony. An Ipsos poll cited in the Mirror put Labour on 32%, the Conservatives on 24%, and Reform on 20%.

How it is being reported

• Nigel Farage and Robert Jenrick face rows of empty seats as big speech falls flatNigel Farage and Robert Jenrick were forced to face rows of empty seats as they set out a limp package of rehashed plans ahead of John Healey's BudgetThe Mirror · 26 Oct, 16:34
• 'Cringingly Embarrassing': Farage And Jenrick Mocked For Sea Of Empty Seats At Reform EventReform leader Nigel Farage speaks as he presents Reform UK's 'Economic Rescue Plan' ahead of this week's budget on October 26, 2026 in London, England. Nigel Farage and Robert Jenrick have been mocked after a “cringingly embarrassing” afternoon where they delivered speeches to a near-empty room. The Reform UK leader and his party’s Treasury spokesperson unveiled their “Economic Rescue Plan” on Monday. The proposal, released two days before Andy Burnham’s government reveals its first ever Budget , promised to cut down on Westminster’s spending “addiction” via “substantial tax relief” and debt…HuffPost UK · 26 Oct, 16:17

In this story: Nigel Farage · Robert Jenrick · Reform UK · Conservative Party · Kemi Badenoch · Westminster · Andy Burnham · John Healey

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