Reform UK votes to give members more control
Political journalist based in Birmingham.
At Reform UK's conference, members made the decision to grant themselves greater influence over the party's policies and leadership.
During the party's conference in Birmingham, members voted in favor of Reform UK's new constitution by raising their hands.
Nigel Farage, the head of Reform UK, signed the document on stage following the vote.
"We have matured and we've become a fully established political party," Farage stated.
In the general election held in July, Reform captured 14% of the vote and secured a presence in Parliament with five members, one of whom is Farage.
Reform was established as a private limited company, with Farage owning most of the shares.
Two months after electing its initial MPs, Reform UK is completely revamping its operations. Farage asserts that he is "handing over control of the party and major decisions to the members."
At the conference, members took a significant step by voting for the first time on a proposal to establish a new constitution. This document outlines the party's regulations and defines the roles and duties of its leadership.
During his speech at the conference on Friday, Farage emphasized that the party should adopt a more "professional" approach.
On Saturday, the chairman of the party, Zia Yusuf, brought the new constitution forward for a vote during the conference.
He mentioned that the party would transform into a non-profit entity operating under its new set of rules, without any shareholders involved.
Only a small number of individuals in the audience lifted their hands to oppose the party's rulebook.
According to the new constitution, the party's leadership team and its leader are in charge of establishing policies, while members can offer their opinions and ideas during conferences.
However, party members will have the option to oust Farage, or any other leader, through a no-confidence vote.
A vote can be initiated if half of the members send a request to the chairman asking for a no-confidence motion.
Reform MPs have the ability to call for a vote if at least 50 of them, or half of their total number, send a letter to the chairman asking for it. However, this option is only available if there are over 100 Reform MPs in Parliament, which is a significant requirement.
