The Island’s Reform UK candidates, Sarah Morris (IW East) and Ian Pickering (IW West), secured their party leader, businessman Richard Tice, to speak at an event on Monday evening. We had a chat with the only national party leader expected to visit the Island over the next few weeks.

Despite its roots in the Brexit Party, Reform has only existed as a political force for three years. The campaign launch in Newport’s Riverside Centre attracted around 135 people — a solid turnout, especially as they paid to attend. Reform UK candidates do not have an established party machine behind them and they fund their own campaigns.

One of the biggest rounds of applause on the night was in response to Mr Tice’s observation that the country can’t go on as it is, because the entire system is broken and needs reform.

Realistic expectations

There was a positive atmosphere at the meeting, which had become a campaign launch, as Mr Tice rallied his supporters, many completely new to politics. Despite all their efforts, Reform is unlikely to win a single seat under our first-past-the-post electoral system. Their leader is realistic about this, but believes the Conservatives deserve to be punished for their failures in office. In the longer term, he sees Reform as the default party of the right, arguing that “the Conservative Party no longer stands for what its members believe in.” The presence of some local Conservatives suggest he might be onto something.

Mr Tice’s speech was well-received, though not overwhelmingly so, but he stayed later than planned to answer questions from the floor and supporters posed for numerous selfies with him afterwards.

Local and national issues

On local issues, Mr Tice gave straightforward but not detailed answers. He criticised the current ownership model of the ferries, saying the companies should be 50 per cent owned by Island residents, sharing in the good years but “taking it on the chin” when results are bad. He was also comfortable with the idea of regionalising the NHS for specialist services, such as cancer treatments, noting that many people are willing to travel to get quicker treatment. However, he acknowledged that there are present problems in places where travel is difficult.

On national issues, he sees “some merit” in Rishi Sunak’s National Service idea but pointed out logistical flaws: “You can’t look after 30,000 youngsters with only 75,000 people in the army.” But he agrees that bringing together people from different backgrounds and faiths is a good thing. He is adamant that “all the opportunities Brexit offered” have been squandered, citing failures to reduce regulation or taxes, such as VAT on energy, but remains confident that many opportunities still exist.

Immigration is a “complete mess” and one of the issues the country has been completely let down on. He criticised the current political system as “not fit for purpose”, and disagrees with party whipping, emphasising that honesty in politics is “very important indeed” and politicians should be transparent when they need to compromise.

Reform UK’s leader was approachable, chatty and thoughtful. That said, it is easy to claim you could do better than the others, but harder to put into practice. However, with the party consistently polling well into double figures it shows increasing numbers are willing to give him a chance to try.

While the established parties may be unimpressed with Richard Tice, and the progress of his party, they would be unwise to underestimate him or his ‘amateur’ followers.

If you’d like to watch a recording of the meeting head over to iw.observer/richardtice.