REFORM’S Scotland conference at Bishopton last Thursday marked another watershed for the party. The party introduced its 73 candidates and unveiled its manifesto for the Holyrood election, becoming the first party to do so, despite all the jeering from opponents that Reform had no policies.
With more than 450 members attending, the atmosphere was more than upbeat and entirely different from the staid and dutiful air that the tired old party faithful usually bring to party conferences – because, of course, those attending were overwhelmingly new members who had joined a political party often for the first time.
There was a sense of optimism and excitement in the air: after years of having nothing to look forward to but more dreary decline and hollow words from the established parties, I found myself deeply moved by the enthusiasm and hope expressed in the unalloyed cheering that followed the speeches by Nigel Farage and Malcolm Offord.
In truth, it was more of a rally than a conference – which is hardly surprising given its truncated nature and proximity to the Holyrood election – but it was also what attendees wanted, as evidenced by their lively responsiveness to the speeches. The message from the podium was that Scotland might be broken, but Malcolm Offord and Reform had a positive vision and plan to make Scotland the most successful part of the UK – wealthier, healthier, better educated and happier.
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