Reform Party Conference 2026: Civil Society Implications 

This is the first in a series of pieces exploring MCF’s experience of attending political party conferences. The objective of the series is to share insights and reflections on each conference, with commentary on civil society engagement and potential implications for the sector. 

MCF attended the Reform UK Conference in Birmingham on 4^th-5^th September. The event’s slogan was “The First 100 Days“, alluding to the immediate changes the party would pursue were it to enter government. The conference underscored that Reform UK appears to no longer be a fringe party but one embedded within mainstream political and civic life. The charity sector should remain attuned to Reform’s policy agenda and may wish to consider actively shaping a framework for strategic engagement from now, rather than waiting for the possibility of a Reform government. Doing so will enable the sector to safeguard its long-term health and capacity for democratic participation. 

This year’s conference marked a shift from previous Reform conferences, which many non-party attendees described as rally-style gatherings predominantly seeking to mobilise the party’s supporters. The event brought together a broad range of civil society organisations, including faith-based groups, international development charities, and organisations working on refugee policy, disability, youth issues, and inequalities. Their presence implies the sector’s growing willingness to engage with Reform, creating opportunities for cross-sector dialogue and coalition-building across organisations to strengthen their collective voice. 

Fringe events hosted by More in Common, Demos, and the King’s College London Policy Institute provided space for discussion on policy, voter behaviour, and Reform’s political strategy, while showing that think-tanks and academic institutions are increasingly keen to scrutinise and engage with the party. This fostered an environment in which external stakeholders could question MPs and contribute to a more well-rounded understanding of the party’s challenges and opportunities. Civil society should therefore not shy away from attending Reform conference in the future, whether for monitoring or purposeful engagement, as these spaces offer valuable insight into the priorities and internal dynamics of the party. 

Reform also sought to articulate its vision with respect to several policy areas directly relevant to the charity sector. At a fringe event organised by the Centre for Social Justice, the party’s Treasury Spokesperson Robert Jenrick MP highlighted its perceived challenge: “We’ve won the argument that Britain is broken; now we’ve got to win the argument that Reform will fix it.” Their flagship policies include mass deportations, withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), cutting welfare spending by £50 billion, banning foreign nationals from social housing, capping the foreign aid budget, and scrapping Net Zero. 

Combined with recurrent narratives around “mass, uncontrolled migration” and the breakdown of social cohesion as the roots of the country’s problems, these policies may seem to undermine the values and missions of many charities. While these positions are not new, the conference amplified them and offered insights into how they might be operationalised at government level. 

However, party representatives also signalled a willingness to work collaboratively with civil society on policies including welfare and disability, recognising the expertise charities bring to the table. Danny Kruger MP, Head of Reform’s Preparing for Government Unit, co-founded criminal justice charity Only Connect in 2005, was its Chief Executive until 2015, and currently chairs its board of trustees. He also previously served as the Conservative government’s Civil Society Advisor. Figures such as Kruger, who seemingly understand the challenges facing the charity sector, may present potential avenues for engagement. But whether this engagement would be genuinely meaningful, and which organisations Reform would willingly work with, remains to be seen. 

Engagement with the party is also a crucial consideration at a local level. Several local authorities with sizeable Muslim populations, including Bradford, Kirklees, and Walsall, are now Reform-led, while Reform is the largest party in councils such as Birmingham and Burnley. For grassroots organisations delivering community projects, the question of whether to engage – and how – has become increasingly important. While remaining cognisant of the risks involved, constructive engagement with local authorities provides opportunities, whether collaborating on youth services, mental health programmes, or other initiatives, accessing local authority funding, or participating in local decision-making. Particularly as the government seeks to implement its devolution agenda, local authority collaboration may prove more relevant and impactful for many organisations than national level engagement. 

Looking ahead, civil society may wish to consider reassessing the merits and value of engaging with Reform. While this may feel challenging, the prospect of a Reform government continues to loom large. Conference provided a critical window into the party’s priorities and the potential implications for charities and the communities they serve. Given this reality, policy awareness and, where appropriate, reasoned strategic engagement appears increasingly important to protecting the interests of civil society.