London Playbook PM: the Farage factor

Good afternoon. This is Andrew McDonald with Mason Boycott-Owen in Birmingham for the Nigel Farage show.
— Nigel Farage just wrapped up his big speech at Reform UK conference
— All the other action from the main day of the right-wing party’s jamboree in Brum. 
— Playbook PM previews the first day of Labour conference.
— David Lammy chaired Cobra on the developments in Lebanon this morning.
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NIGEL’S MOMENT IN THE LIMELIGHT: Nigel Farage used his big conference speech to confirm a bunch of internal changes and … not a lot else. The Reform boss just wrapped up addressing the Reform U.K. faithful as this email hits your inbox. 
Ever the showman: After a brief speech from Reform Chair Zia Yusuf, the big screen played out a quick video of all of Farage’s highlights — the you’re not laughing now speech and all — before his moment came. “Without Me” by Eminem played out as the crowd clapped along, and Farage slowly made his way through the throng before climbing on to the stage. Some little fire sprinkler things greeted him as he wandered up to the mic, lip-syncing the Eminem tune as he did so. 
Confirmed: Farage confirmed the planned and already reported internal changes to his party, which will see Reform U.K. branch constituencies set up across the U.K. and Farage give up the majority of his shares in the oddly formulated business that is a party that is Reform. “Today is the day our party comes of age,” Farage said. The crowd laughed nervously when Farage said his party would model itself on the Liberal Democrats. 
The applause was also a … bit more half-hearted when Farage promised to thoroughly vet election candidates next time around. It’s probably a good idea though. Farage did spend a long time talking about the nuts and bolts of party structures, before the crowd livened up a bit as Farage got into personal attack-mode. 
On the attack: Each of the Tory leadership candidates got their own personalized diss line. “One of them thinks that having worked in McDonald’s for a week makes them working class” was probably the pick of the bunch (a reference to Kemi Badenoch’s time serving under the golden arches.) Farage brought back his “two-tier Keir” attack to hit out at Starmer too — the attack line that enrages senior police officers who reckon it encourages violence toward coppers. He had another moan about former NatWest chief Alison Rose over the whole debanking thing. 
Finally: Farage finished up his policy-lite and largely internal-structures focused speech with a call to arms (not literal, obvs), some big party poppers went off, and a clutch of blue and white balloons fell from the ceiling. And that was it. 
Barrage the Farage: Fresh from his speech, Farage will now take questions from four broadcasters — BBC, ITV, Sky and GB News — in one-on-one interviews, before a print huddle right in front of Reform’s blue open-top bus in the next hour.
EARLIER IN THE DAY : Conspicuously coinciding with “A Place in the Sun Live” at the NEC, Reform UK’s conference kicked off Friday morning with around 4,000 delegates in tow.
Cigs: As advertised by the party’s media briefing, the smoking area was indeed vast, and full to bursting (before Keir Starmer bans it, was the joke ringing round the Birmingham NEC.) 
Bevs: Reform’s legions were also on the pints early. Playbook PM spotted some being downed on the conference floor at around 10.30 a.m. (the doors opened at 10 a.m.) 
Tunes: In the main conference stage area, club classics and pounding dance anthems kept the growing crowd in a party mood. Playbook wandered over just as Uniting Nations’ “Out of Touch” thumped out of the speakers. 
Swag: Along with the vast array of Reform merch, several red MAGA hats and “I Love Donald Trump” t-shirts were spotted among the diversely dressed crowd. 
Panto: It was a more energetic and engaged crowd than you’ll find at the other conferences. Illegal migration, Keir Starmer, winter fuel cuts, and — especially — Sadiq Khan all got big boos and hisses from the crowd.
MC: David Bull, compering the evening after previously being the party’s deputy leader, introduced his party’s “Famous Five” new MPs to the stage. He painted a bleak picture of the U.K, renaming it “Starmer’s Britain,” where we are a “national and international embarrassment”. 
Steady on: Bull also made some rather odd comments about trying to kiss Ann Widdecombe, which raised eyebrows amongst the hacks at least. Each to their own. 
The young one: First MP up was James McMurdock, who was nervous but clearly dead excited about his accidental elevation to parliament. “Politics is broken,” he told delegates, before adding: “There will be people in this room who will be Reform MPs alongside me in 2029.”
The ones off the telly: Next came former Tory Minister Ann Widdecombe, with a joke-laden speech mixed with some big talk on immigration and crime. “Justice? What justice?” she thundered, adding that criminals were swearing undying loyalty to Labour after being let out of prison. “Labour is welcome to them,” she said … and she was followed by fellow reality TV star Ant Middleton, who ranted about the U.K. being on the brink of civil unrest for 10 minutes. 
The one that doesn’t like the wokes: After a quick lunch break, another new Reform MP, Rupert Lowe, took aim at what he described as the “fat, bloated, state freeloading off a thin emaciated taxpayer.” He also congratulated a “refreshing paucity of rainbow lanyards in attendance,” because woke, eh. 
The one that’s a bit Peter Kay: Chief Whip Lee Anderson’s speech hit all the classics — with what was effectively a stand-up routine that got the crowd laughing and cheering. “I want my country back, do you want your country back?” he asked the very receptive crowd. It turned out they did. He took also aim at school sex ed, net zero and cancel culture, giving a shoutout to “comedian” Jim Davidson (who was in the audience and got a big roar of approval from the crowd.) Here’s a quick round-up from the past of Davidson’s grimmest moments. 
The one who used to be leader: Richard Tice was the last of the MPs up in the pre-Farage warm-up. He turned his ire on the “cults” of life in the U.K. which he said you cannot question. Chief among them for Tice was the cult of net zero, helmed by Ed “Mad” Miliband. He’s gonna work his hardest to get that one to stick. 
More Tice: The Reform deputy leader still hasn’t been paid back the million-plus he lent to Reform U.K., he revealed to LBC earlier. 
Trying to muscle in: Tory leadership contender Robert Jenrick used a Sky interview on the day of Reform’s conference to claim mass migration and “woke culture” — words Playbook PM has never heard bemoaned as many times as today in Birmingham — have put England’s national identity at risk. He wasn’t willing to expand on what he meant by “English identity.” Sky’s write-up is here. 
TOMORROW’S WORLD: Reform conference continues with a morning of speeches — including from academic turned populist speaker Matt Goodwin — and the afternoon devoted to training up a new base of activists. Reform officials say they want to “harness the energy” of those who turned up today, having never been involved before. The morning will also see the planned changes to the party structures voted on. Hope the hangovers aren’t too bad.
JUST IN: The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar reported in the last few minutes that Keir Starmer, Deputy PM Angela Rayner and Chancellor Rachel Reeves will no longer accept donations to pay for clothes — after the row over freebies looked set to extend into Labour conference weekend. Earlier in the day: Home Office Minister Jess Phillips had admitted the row wasn’t a good look — as she mounted a defense of the PM and argued on Sky News that the row was unimportant. “I haven’t had a single email about it,” Phillips told Sky.
THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD: After the final pint has been sunk at the Reform conference … half of Westminster will start the mass migration up to Liverpool for Labour conference, which starts Sunday.
What to expect Sunday: Angela Rayner will make her speech at 11.25 a.m. We may also hear from departing General Secretary David Evans, as Sunday at conference would typically feature the general secretary’s annual report. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has the pre-conference Sunday media round.
In the weeds: A priority ballot will also take place Sunday to determine what policies are debated through the week — including a tricksy possible motion on cuts to winter fuel payments.
Also worth watching for: Potentially news-making fringes including Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Ukrainian Ambassador Valerii Zaluzhnyi on a TBI panel (10 a.m.) … Lammy in conversation with Chatham House’s Bronwen Maddox (noon) … Former Tory Energy Minister Chris Skidmore joining Labour politicians at a Zero Hour fringe on climate (12.45 p.m.) … Rayner and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham at a Shelter fringe on social housing (4.30 p.m.) … and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood at a Society of Labour Lawyers fringe (5 p.m.).
Where to find booze in Liverpool Sunday: YouTube … the New Statesman … Labour Together & IPPR … the TBI … the Spectator … and many more have receptions Sunday evening. Dawn Butler’s legendary Jamaica Party kicks off at 10 p.m.
All the full details … are on the Labour Conference app.
And don’t forget: The LGBT Labour disco is on Saturday night for the truly devoted already in the city. Deets here.
More problems: Exactly half of Brits — including one in four Labour voters — say they’re disappointed by the Labour government so far, Ipsos polling for the FT found … while a new Savanta poll for PoliticsHome suggested voters won’t tolerate more than a year of the government blaming everything on the Tories. Ten months to go, lads.
Pre-conference reading material: Think tank/Starmerism fan club Labour Together has just published a big report on the election result — its top-line champions the 2019 Tory voters who switched to Labour as the decisive factor in Starmer’s landslide. But — mirroring the language used by senior Labour figures at the minute — it also says that that victory is based on a “fragile coalition.” Have a scan of the whole thing here.
Pre-conference listening material: With perfect timing, POLITICO’s Sascha O’Sullivan has a great Westminster Insider episode out today on Labour Together’s origins, how it shaped the campaign — and what’s next. Listen here.
BACK IN LONDON: Foreign Secretary David Lammy chaired an emergency Cobra meeting this morning on Lebanon, in the wake of those Israeli strikes on Hezbollah communication devices. Sky News’ Deborah Haynes first reported the meeting, which focused on ensuring the U.K. is prepared for any escalation which might require evacuating British nationals.
COMING ATTRACTIONS: The EU will put new proposals for a youth mobility scheme with Britain on the table in the coming weeks, officials with knowledge of the process say. It means a fresh headache for Keir Starmer this autumn, given the significant internal pressure from his own backbenches — as well as the Lib Dems, SNP and Greens — for a closer relationship with Europe now Labour is in power (top colleagues Stefan Boscia and others published a great piece on this today).
Huh?Labour dismissed the EU’s original youth mobility proposals earlier this year, midway through the general election campaign, but EU officials are hopeful U.K. ministers are now ready to discuss a deal given they have a landslide victory behind them. Multiple news outlets have heard the same — see newly-published stories from the Guardian, and the i, among others. One to watch.
More foreign policy news: Culture Minister Chris Bryant is in Naples, addressing G7 culture ministers.
READ IT HERE FIRST: Reach staff were finally informed this morning about Gary Jones’ departure as Express editor, days after Playbook’s Dan Bloom and Stefan Boscia broke the news in this newsletter. The reasons for the move remain unclear. Tom Hunt, previously the Express’ online editorial director, has been appointed to replace him.
BRACE FOR THE FUN: Healthwatch’s Sebastian Rees mocked up what 90 percent of party conference fringe invites look like. It’s missing the hungover journalist trying to wing it, IMO.
FROM MOSCOW: Russia is “fully ready” for a conflict with NATO in the Arctic, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned. “We see NATO stepping up drills related to possible crises in the Arctic,” Lavrov said, according to Russian state media, in comments for a documentary series. “Our country is fully ready to defend its interests militarily, politically and from the standpoint of defense technologies.” POLITICO writeup here. 
IN LEBANON: A “targeted strike” by Israel on the Lebanese capital Beirut resulted in the death of senior Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqil, Reuters and others confirmed. More details here. 
From Tel Aviv: The Israeli government launched an investigation after IDF forces were filmed throwing dead Palestinian bodies from a roof during a raid in the West Bank. The BBC has more. 
FROM MICHIGAN: “If somebody breaks into my house, they’re getting shot,” Vice President Kamala Harris said in a discussion with Oprah Winfrey on the U.S. presidential campaign trail. She laughed and added: “I probably shouldn’t have said that, but my staff will deal with that later.” Watch the clip here. 
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LEADING THE NEWS BULLETINS: Channel 5 News (5 p.m.) and BBC News at Six lead on the allegations surrounding former Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed … Channel 4 News (7 p.m.) leads on the violence in Lebanon, and has a doorstep clip with Nigel Farage. 
BBC PM (Radio 4, 5 p.m.): Political academic Rob Ford. 
The News Agents (podcast drops at 5 p.m.): Journalist and historian Mark Urban. 
Cathy Newman with Drive (Times Radio, until 7 p.m.): Conservative leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick … U.S. historian Allan Lichtman … Former U.S. Ambassador to Malta Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley … Conservative peer James Bethell … Labour peer David Blunkett.
News Hour (Sky News, 5 p.m.): Israeli Ambassador to the United National Danny Danon … Lebanese MP Melhem Khalaf … conflict expert Norman Roule … Former Barack Obama speechwriter Terry Szuplat.
Any Questions (Radio 4, 8 p.m.): The panel at Weavers Academy in Wellingborough includes Lib Dem MP Victoria Collins … Conservative MP Nigel Huddleston … Environment Secretary Steve Reed …Reform London Assembly member Alex Wilson.
TWEETING TOMORROW’S PAPERS TONIGHT: Allie Hodgkins-Brown.
REVIEWING THE PAPERS TONIGHT: Times Radio (10.30 p.m.): Deltapoll co-founder Joe Twyman and former civil servant Caroline Slocock … Sky News (10.30 p.m. and 11.30 p.m.): Mirror columnist Susie Boniface … Jewish Chronicle Editor Jake Wallis Simons. 
GO GAGA AT THE GALA: Reform U.K.’s Friday night at conference will be dominated by what they’re calling an “evening gala party.”
STAVE OFF THE GALA HANGOVERS: Reform conference continues and concludes.
DEEP IN LABOUR LAND: Labour conference kicks off on Sunday with a speech from Deputy Leader Angela Rayner at 11.25 a.m. before policy debates and process votes.
TALKING PARTY: How The Light Gets In festival featuring talks, debates and music kicks off in London. Mayor of the capital Sadiq Khan, Green Co-Leader Carla Denyer and SNP to Conservative defector Lisa Cameron all feature on the Saturday, while Conservative former Cabinet ministers Nadhim Zahawi and Malcolm Rifkind, as well as ex-Commons Speaker John Bercow, appear Sunday. Full lineup and timings here. 
UP IN SCOTLAND: SNP boss John Swinney has a national day of campaigning action Saturday, just after the IndyRef anniversary.
Ayesha Hazarika with Times Radio Drive (Times Radio, 4 p.m. on Saturday): Labour former Deputy Leader Harriet Harman. 
Trevor Phillips on Sunday (Sky News, 8.30 a.m. on Sunday): Israeli President Isaac Herzog … Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson … Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham. 
Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg (BBC One, 9 a.m. on Sunday): Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner … Russian dissidents Vladimir and Evgenia Kara-Murza.
The Camilla Tominey Show (GB News, 9.30 a.m. on Sunday): Bridget Phillipson … Conservative leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick … Labour MP Jeevun Sandher … Labour aide Matthew Torbitt … Telegraph sketchwriter Madeline Grant.
Lewis Goodall (LBC, 10 a.m. on Sunday): Bridget Phillipson … Sharon Graham … Utilita boss Bill Bullen. 
Sunday Morning with Kate McCann and Adam Boulton (Times Radio, 10 a.m. on Sunday): Bridget Phillipson … Lebanese Ambassador to the U.K. Rami Mortada … Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan … Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar … Former Director of Public Prosecutions Max Hill … Labour MP Henry Tufnell … Labour MP Josh Simons.
Ayesha Hazarika with Times Radio Drive (Times Radio, 4 p.m. on Sunday): Liverpool region Mayor Steve Rotheram … Labour Together boss Jonathan Ashworth … Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar … Labour MP Luke Akehurst … Momentum campaign group founder Jon Lansman … Labour MP Stella Creasy … RMT boss Mick Lynch … International Development Secretary Lisa Nandy.
Westminster Hour (Radio 4, 10 p.m. on Sunday): Cabinet Office Minister Ellie Reeves … Shadow Commons Leader Chris Philp … Political academic Rob Ford … Guardian political hack Jessica Elgot.
WRITING SUNDAY CRUNCH: Mason Boycott-Owen.
THANKS TO: My editor Rosa Prince, reporter Noah Keate and the POLITICO production team for making it look nice.
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