North East Reform UK voters tell us why they back the party
Patriotism, free speech, immigration. These are just some of the issues Reform UK voters say they feel are prominent not just in our region, but across the country as they gathered for the party’s Durham conference yesterday (February 1).
A sea of Union Jacks, ‘Make Britain Great Again’ and even ‘Make America Great Again’ shirts and hats could be spotted under the blue hue of Sunderland Live Arena in Houghton-le-Spring.
This comes just under seven months since the general election – a day that in the North East saw underdog party Reform UK come second place in an astounding 18 seats across the region.
Making his first appearance in the region since before the general election, was party leader Nigel Farage himself who entered to a wave of enthusiastic cheers and booming roars.
But, before things got underway, we asked voters from the North East why they back Reform UK – and what the party could do for the North East.
Pauline Davidson, 73, and Sandy Hudson, 59, had travelled from Northumberland for the day for the conference and managed to snag front-row seats.
“I did vote Reform UK at the General Election – Nigel Farage has so much common sense about what’s going on in Britain.”
When asked what the biggest issues are in the UK currently, the pair agreed on immigration, adding Mr Farage is continuing to “say it how it is” which resonates with North East voters.
Army veteran Lee Rutherford from Easington Lane was another attendee who was eagerly awaiting for the conference to get going.
“When I first became a soldier in 2002, I couldn’t walk tall enough. But now, you get told that you can’t wear your berets in the streets – you have to be scared,” he said.
“It’s a disgrace to everyone including to our forefathers who died for us in world wars. Everything we have is taken for granted.”
He added: “What resonates with me and Reform is that patriotism and being allowed to have an opinion – freedom of speech.
“Reform is a refreshing party because politics no longer feels like a two-horse race.”
Katherine Hales, 55, was Reform UK’s candidate for North Northumberland at the 2024 election.
For her, Reform UK is a last-ditch attempt to save Britain.
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She said: “What people say is that they feel Reform UK is the last chance to save our country. They feel that free speech and their culture is under threat.
“One meeting I went to in Durham, there was a woman who sat and cried, I was really taken aback by it.
“She told us that she ‘just wants her country back’.”