Lee Anderson mocked Angela Rayner after her resignation from the Government over not paying enough stamp duty on her new seaside flat.

In his speech to Reform’s conference in Birmingham, the Ashfield MP said: “I’ve got to defend Angela Rayner, because I’ve been told by a good friend of mine that she did actually get sound financial advice, from her financial adviser, Diane Abbott.”

His comments are in reference to an excruciating interview Labour MP Diane Abbott gave in 2017 when she confused her maths over police funding.

Nigel Farage’s Reform conference speech was disrupted by successive left-wing protests during his speech this afternoon, as the party’s Birmingham summit descended into chaos.

As they were dragged out by security, Mr Farage shouted: “Boring! Boring! Boring!”

He also quipped: “She looked like she’d been on the sauce all afternoon!”

Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: “With Reform peddling Jeremy Corbyn-style economics and unlimited welfare spending, the danger for Britain could not be clearer. Reform’s plan would blow a colossal back hole in the nation’s finances, paid for by families and businesses through even higher taxes.

“Reform and Labour are two sides of the same coin, meaning higher taxes, higher borrowing and higher debt. No wonder there was no mention of debt or the deficit in Nigel Farage’s speech.

“Under new leadership, the Conservatives are the only party that are focused on living within our means to deliver a stronger economy and lower taxes.”

A few dozen protesters have just arrived all at once, and begun chanting at the wrong building.

They seem to be directing their chanting at what they believe to be the conference venue, but is in fact a Bear Grylls Adventure centre, which is not open.

Chants of “Say it loud, say it clear: Refugees are welcome here”.

There’s also a delegation from the West Midlands National Education Union.

Reform UK will put “British people first”, according to the party’s head of policy.

Zia Yusuf ended his speech to the party’s conference by telling activists in Birmingham: “I see a Britain in the future which has secure borders, I see a poised powerful Britain which celebrates its history and looks forward with confidence to its future. I see a Britain that defends its values and cherishes its culture. I see a Britain which rewards hard work and takes the knee to nobody.

“I see a Britain which after having paid taxes your whole life you can go to the hospital and be seen by world-class doctors and nurses at once. I see a Britain in which our young people can not only afford to move out of their parents’ house but one they will be able to buy a home of their own.

“I see a Britain which puts British people first. This is no pipe dream. This is now truly on the cards.”

He added: “It’s time for us to stand up and write the next chapter in our great country’s story. It’s time to put the needs, the hopes, the dreams of British people first.”

Pimlico Plumbers millionaire Charlie Mullins OBE has said Nigel Farage is now on course for victory following Labour’s Angela Rayner chaos.

Charlie Mullins OBE, chairman of WeFix London and Pimlico Plumbers founder, said: “Angela Rayner’s belated resignation as Deputy Prime Minister shows this Labour Government is rotten to the core, and that the rot has festered to the very highest levels of its Cabinet.

“Starmer said his deputy leader has done the right thing in resigning, this from the man who for days refused to admit what the entire country could see that Angela Rayner is unfit to serve in any capacity of government.

“The simple facts are that she did wrong but tried to string things out in an attempt to wriggle out from underneath her arrogance and misdeeds. Last night she even tried to throw a little two-bob conveyancing firm in Kent under the bus in a final ditched attempt to save her political neck.

“The country is well rid of Angela Rayner, and I’m only saddened that Starmer and Reeves aren’t on their way out of Downing Street as well.

“Nigel (Farage) is coming for his crown and there is no chance he’ll need to wait four more years!”

Reform UK’s head of policy has defended its policy of deporting illegal migrants by telling its conference the UK is facing a “national security emergency”.

Zia Yusuf said: “Some have already called our plan draconian.”

He continued: “Here’s our response. Britain is being invaded. Thousands of fighting age men from countries that despise Britain continue to arrive on our beaches.

“Our plan is the only appropriate response to a national security emergency.

“It will also immediately stop the boats from coming, because it’s going to send a clear message that being our country illegally now has an iron-clad response; immediate removal. Deportation is the ultimate deterrent.”

Zia Yusuf said British people had been made “second-class citizens” in their own country.

Reform UK’s newly-announced head of policy said: “We’re on the brink of drawing to a close a tragic era in this country’s history, an era in which British people have been made second-class citizens in their own country, an era in which those who played by the rules their whole lives are robbed by the state to pay for those who break them.”

He added: “The era of British decline will soon be at an end.”

Zia Yusuf, who will be Reform UK’s new head of policy and the party will set up a department for preparing for government, is now giving his conference speech.

Labour claimed that Nigel Farage was offering “anger without answers” with his speech to Reform UK’s conference in Birmingham.

A Labour Party spokesperson, said: “Nigel Farage could have used his conference speech to offer more than just anger without answers and to say more than just ‘don’t know’ to the problems facing the country. He didn’t. It was the same old parade of complaints we’ve heard before.

“His answer to the charge that Reform is a one-man band was to unveil one of the faces of failure from the last Tory government, Nadine Dorries.

“Farage has proven again today that he is incapable of acting in the best interests of Britain.”

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is pictured giving his speech at the party’s Birmingham conference.

Nigel Farage says he’s on track to No. 10.

“I am determined”.

“I’m proud to lead this party.”

“That was just the beginning!”

He concludes his speech

“I don’t apologise at all for the breadth of our ambition. Because that’s what this country needs.

“It needs hope, it needs belief, it needs to smile again. It needs to believe in who we are, that we can have a great future.”

Nigel Farage says kids should be taught trades at school, as AI threatens traditional office jobs.

He also says to stop teaching them a warped version of Britain’s history.

Zia Yusuf moves to head of policy to kickstart a “Department For Preparing For Government”.

Nigel Farage says he will unveil serious welfare cuts over the coming months.

Brands the system “morally wrong” as people on benefits enjoy more cash than those who get out of bed and go to work.

One of the biggest rounds of applause erupts when Nigel Farage says “we will police the streets and not the tweets”.

Nigel Farage continues confirming Reform’s policies – “We will stop the boats within two weeks of government!”

“And we will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country.”

Nigel Farage says Reform will prosecute all shoplifters, and bring back genuine stop and search to crack down on knives.

He will deport foreign criminals. He quips that he’s going to have lunch in a few weeks with the PM of Albania.

“I might book a big plane and take a load with me!”

Nigel Farage acknowledges two people standing up waving a Reform flag saying “Make Britain Great Again” – a nod to Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again slogan.

Nigel says Reform will walk the walk in government and will deliver on its pledges.

He says the country “is in a very bad place”, a mixture of “anger and despair”.

He warns of societal breakdown and cultural decline.

He says the country is in the most dangerous place it’s been “in my lifetime”.

People are telling him he’s the “last chance the country has”

Nadine Dorries says both parties fell apart because of disloyal MPs.

“Moving forward, what is important is saving our country, and the only way to do that is with a party united behind its leader and the aims and objectives of that party.”

Nadine Dorries says to Tory members that the “Conservative Party do not deserve your loyalty.”

“Frankly any party that removes two election-winning PMs, replaces them with dud after dud, just does not deserve your support.”

She says she debated defecting over the summer, and said Nigel Farage being right on issue after issue.

Brands two thirds of Tory MPs “wets” who were never going to let Rwanda work

Nadine Dorries says she’s “delighted” to have switched to Reform, praising the energy and excitement of the room.

“I want to thank Nigel for that introduction. I want to thank everybody at Reform for bringing the party to this point.”

She says the reason why the country’s failing isn’t just political parties, but the system as a whole.

“I’m among people who share the same values that I’ve always held”

Nigel Farage is bringing Nadine Dorries on stage, saying he accepted her defection after “lengthy debate and consultation”.

He says her cabinet-level experience is needed by Reform when they enter government

“None of our senior figures have ever been in government before.”

He cites civil servants at local government trying to block Reform’s agenda.

He says Reform needs experienced people, who have been in government, and understand how the system works.

Nigel Farage has hit back at claims Reform UK is a “one man band”.

He says it’s been a “joy of this year” seeing senior Reform figures in the media, broadening the scope, and bringing in fresh new people.

“I don’t believe all governments have to be MPs in the House of Commons. It doesn’t work… [they] have no knowledge of the departments they’re supposed to run”

“To hell with convention.”

Nigel Farage says there is a very real chance of an early snap election next year amid Labour’s chaos, and says Reform must be ready.

The biggest cheer in the hall so far has come from Farage vowing to unseat London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Nigel Farage predicts government chaos will bring about an early general election.

Sparked by chaos within the Labour Party following her resignation as deputy leader, and the threat of Corbyn and Sultana’s new party.

“I put this to you – this battle for deputy leader of the Labour Party will be like the battles they had in the 1980s.

“The left of the Labour Party will rear its voice.”

He predicts Labour MPs will defect to Corbyn’s party

Mr Farage says the next step will be even bigger.

Welsh and Scotland elections, London elections, a Welsh senedd byelection in a few weeks.

“We will take that seriously.”

He says he wants to beat Sadiq Khan next time around.

He says Reform needs 5,000 vetted candidates for next year. It will be an “essential building block” ahead of the election

Nigel Farage reflects on the last year.

The huge growth of local party branches; the rise in members from 30,000 to 240,000; the winning of over 900 councillors; the winning of 10 county councils outright and the biggest party in three others.

“As I toured around the country on May 2, I couldn’t myself believe just how well we’d done, the extent to which we caught the mood.”

He also cites the by-election victory of Sarah Pochin in Runcorn.

The audience is erupting into regular cheers and applause while listening to Nigel Farage’s speech. The also break into regular bouts of laughter as he cracks jokes at the expense of Laour’s cabinet ministers.

Nigel Farage cits Nadine Dorries saying the Tories are a dead party.

He says they won’t be forgiven for their failures, including sky high taxes and the small boat crisis.

He says Reform is coming through the middle, united, patriotic and standing up for working people.

Farage says he moved his speech due to the pending Labour reshuffle.

He quips Ms Rayner was an “accomplished property developer and speculator”.

He says she couldn’t get away from being housing secretary and avoid paying £40,000 in stamp duty.

He brands the current government “as bad, if not worse, than the one that went before”

“We are all ships rising on a turquoise tide, headed ever closer towards winning the next general election”

Nigel says it’s “been a day of some considerable news”.

He says the Government is “deep in crisis”.

“Not only have they falled into deep unpopularity within a year, but it’s become clear to all of us that it is a cabinet of wholly unqualified people to run our country.

“They are not fit to govern!”

Nigel’s about to come on stage, stay tuned

Reform delegates stand and cheer while declaring “Nigel will be Prime Minister” following a request by Dame Angela Jenkyns.

Thousands of people have filed into the stands surrounding the main stage at Birmingham’s NEC to watch Nigel Farage’s speech.

The crowd is booing as warm up act, Reform mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns, mentions “mad” Ed Miliband.

Nigel Farage’s emergency conference speech will see the Reform leader say that there is a “political crisis” in government and that Angela Rayner’s departure will “drive a wedge” in the Labour Party.

We’re just minutes away from the intervention.

Lincolnshire Mayor Andrea Jenkyns has just come on stage in a blue sequined romper suit and started singing a song of her own creation.

Reform UK’s has just revealed they are bringing leader Nigel Farage’s keynote speech forwards to 1pm today, so he can give an emergency reaction to Angela Rayner’s resignation.

This is a change from the previous scheduled time of 5pm.

We’ll be bringing you the latest updates live from his speech

Mr Farage has said there will be “splits” within Labour when it begins the process to elect a new deputy leader.

In a video posted on X, Mr Farage said: “It was inevitable, wasn’t it? Really, you can’t be Housing Secretary and avoid £40,000 worth of stamp duty. It’s just as simple as that.

“So, in the last few minutes, Angela Rayner has gone, but not just as Housing Secretary.

“Now, more significantly, she’s gone as deputy leader of the Labour party and Deputy Prime Minister.

“That means there will be an internal election within the Labour party, and you’re going to see the hard left of Labour shouting very, very loudly for the last few years, the story has been splits within the Conservative Party.

“Mark my words: Within weeks, it’ll be splits within the Labour party.”

Nigel Farage issues his verdict on Angela Rayner’s resignation.

The Labour peer Baroness Hazarika has told Times Radio Angela Rayner’s resignation from government is a “huge blow” to the party.

She said she was seen by many as “the only person that could really take on Nigel Farage”.

Our Political Editor Martyn Brown revealed how the Reform UK leader feared Angela Rayner as his toughest opponent.

You can read the story here.

Reform MPs including Lee Anderson and Sarah Pochin have been pictured at stalls in the conference hall.

Reform UK supporters cheered, and one even sang, as the party’s leader Nigel Farage walked through the conference’s main exhibiton hall.

He will take to the main stage later today for a speech to thousands of members.

These are poll ratings Sir Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch can only dream of.

Reform UK has a 10 point lead over Labour and is 13 points ahead of the Conservatives.

Furious farmers are here in the Reform exhibition hall, with tractors present among the other displays.

Attendees at Reform’s conference were spotted wearing Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves masks.

Reform UK supporters sported Patriotic outfits including Union Jack hats, socks and shoes as they attended the conference.

Welcome to Reform conference 2025, where the queues are much longer than last year, the venue is much bigger, and the bar is already serving double-sized pints.

The other big difference is the presence of big corporate sponsors. Last year there was no sign of wealthy businesses, this year that has changed.

There are crypto firms, housing giants, JCB, and even a fleet of double-decker buses courtesy of First Buses.

New merch is also available, including scarves, t-shirts, mugs, water bottles and badges.

Some things, though, don’t change. Vegetarian food options are not to be found.

Former Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf has said the party is actively “preparing for government”.

He told BBC Breakfast: “Nigel is preparing for government. We are taking seriously the important work of getting ready for government.

“We’re not going to be like Labour, if the British people see fit to elect a Reform government, we will come into power with a plan.”

A minister conceded there was “frustration” as the investigation into Angela Rayner’s tax affairs continues and said it would be a “good thing” for the Government if the probe concluded quickly.

Trade minister Douglas Alexander told BBC Breakfast: “The real test is not do these issues arise, but how does the Government deal with them? We have this strengthened, independent office of ministerial standards.

“He’s conducting the inquiry. Once that’s concluded, it will go to the Prime Minister’s desk.”

Nigel Farage believes Angela Rayner would be his toughest political rival if she survives a sleaze probe over her tax affairs. The Reform UK leader thinks she appeals to voters on the Left – much in the same way as he does on the Right.

Mr Farage is understood to regard her as “real, down to earth and fun – someone who connects”. If she ever becomes Labour leader, she would become his “toughest” opponent.

Read the full story here

Nigel Farage will tell his fledgling party on Friday to prepare for power as soon as 2027 – as he warns the financial markets could foreclose on Labour’s spendthrift Government and force an early election.

Mr Farage, whose Reform UK has topped the polls for months, will issue the alert in a speech to his annual conference in Birmingham.

Read more details here

Keir Starmer could suffer a huge blow today because the inquiry into whether she broke ministerial standards rules over her tax affairs is likely to report its verdict today.

If it finds she did break ministerial rules then she will probably have to resign – or the Prime Minister will sack her.

The Prime Minister has said he would “of course” act on the findings of Sir Laurie Magnus’s probe following Ms Rayner’s acknowledgement that she failed to pay a £40,000 tax surcharge on a flat she bought in Hove this year.

Former Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf has said the party is actively “preparing for government”.

He told BBC Breakfast: “Nigel (Farage) is preparing for government. We are taking seriously the important work of getting ready for government.

“We’re not going to be like Labour, if the British people see fit to elect a Reform government, we will come into power with a plan.”

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said his appearance before the House Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill this week gave him “no joy”, but stressed “the big message got through”.

At the hearing on Wednesday, the Clacton MP likened Britain to North Korea over the UK’s approach to civil liberties.

He raised the arrest of Irish writer Graham Linehan for comments on social media about transgender people, as well as the jailing of former childminder and wife of a Conservative councillor Lucy Connolly for stirring up racial hatred against asylum seekers in the aftermath of the Southport murders last year.

He denied proposing that Washington threaten the UK with trade sanctions amid scrutiny of his suggestion that the White House use “diplomacy and trade” in the battle for free speech.

Writing in The Daily Telegraph on Friday, Mr Farage described the UK’s Online Safety Act as “using a sledgehammer to miss the nut altogether”.

Former high-profile Conservative Nadine Dorries has defected to Reform UK on the eve of its party conference.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, the ex-culture secretary said “the Tory Party is dead” and called for its members to “look to the future”.

Ms Dorries, 68, is the highest profile Tory to join Reform after defections from former party chairman Sir Jake Berry, former Wales secretary David Jones and Dame Andrea Jenkyns.

She wrote in the newspaper: “The time for action is now and I believe that the only politician who has the answers, the knowledge and the will to deliver is Nigel Farage.”

It comes as Reform UK kicks off it two-day conference on Friday, with speeches by its four MPs as well as former chairman Zia Yusuf.