Reform conference review: is this 'British MAGA'?

Reform UK’s annual conference wrapped up this weekend – and it was anything but dull. From Andrea Jenkyns belting out her original song ‘I’m an Insomniac’ on stage to Nigel Farage trying to keep a sometimes chaotic movement united, the mood was more rally than conference. Despite the optimism in the room, there were obvious cracks under the surface: mainly, do Reform have enough experience in their ranks for the business of serious government?

On Coffee House Shots, Oscar Edmondson is joined by Tim Shipman and James Heale fresh from the conference floor. They discuss Farage’s role as ringmaster of a broad – and sometimes unruly – coalition, Reform’s hopes of fielding thousands of councillors, and the dangers of drifting too close to the conspiratorial edges of politics.

Also on the podcast, there has been a steady drip of reshuffle news over the weekend. Starmer’s snap reshuffle saw Shabana Mahmood promoted to the Home Office in what many see as the most significant move of the week. With boats and hotels dominating the immigration debate, can she succeed where so many of her predecessors have failed? And what does Angela Rayner’s departure mean for the deputy leadership – and Labour’s uneasy relationship with the unions?

Produced by Oscar Edmondson.

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