Nigel Farage vows to build an election-winning machine as he arrives at Reform UKs conference with party claiming they can replace Labour in power in 2029... but he admits need to professionalise after candidates racism row

Nigel Farage today vowed to build an election-winning machine as he arrived at Reform UKs conference in Birmingham.

Setting out his aim to professionalise his party, Mr Farage joined other senior figures in suggesting Reform could replace Labour in power at the 2029 general election.

He claimed the next few years could see a seismic sea change in British politics although he admitted there was work to be done to overhaul Reforms structures.

During this years general election campaign, Reform were forced to ditch a number of parliamentary candidates over offensive comments.

Mr Farage admitted the racism rows that hit the party in recent months damage the work of thousands of others.

As he arrived at Reforms conference, being held at Birminghams National Exhibition Centre, Mr Farage said he was looking forward to having a drink at the two-day event.

He later received a standing ovation as he entered the main conference hall to a remix version of Diamonds by Rihanna.

Nigel Farage today vowed to build an election-winning machine as he arrived at Reform UKs conference in Birmingham

Setting out his aim to professionalise his party, Mr Farage joined other senior figures in suggesting Reform could replace Labour in power at the 2029 general election

Mr Farage admitted the racism rows that hit the party in recent months damage the work of thousands of others

Speaking to reporters, Mr Farage set out his efforts to professionalise Reform.

It means weeding out candidates that are totally inappropriate and damage the work of thousands of others, he said.

Lets face it, the last election a lot of those candidates hadnt been vetted at all. That has to change, that will change.

It also means building a structure on the ground - thats a mixture of professional help but, clearly, its the voluntary side in the end that will make it happen.

What today is about is building branches, fielding candidates, fighting the county elections next year, its about building an election-winning machine.

The Lib Dems have done it in parts of the country and thats what we have to do.

On Reforms chances of winning the next general election, Mr Farage added: I think if ever theres going to be a seismic sea change in politics, its in the next few years.

And asked if that could seen him become PM, he replied: Me or somebody other who is better looking.

Mr Farage was set to use his keynote conference address on Friday afternoon to issue a clarion call for change.

Reform chairman Zia Yusuf, MPs James McMurdock and Lee Anderson, and immigration spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe all talked up their partys chances of winning the next general election.

Mr McMurdock, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, told party activists from the conference stage: There are people in this very room who will be Reform MPs alongside me in 2029.

The momentum is absolutely on our side. What we have achieved in such a short period of time is nothing less than extraordinary.

Nigel, or as I should call him the Honourable Member for Clacton, and Richard, the Honourable Member for Boston and Skegness, are the people to lead us into Downing Street.

We will then be ready to welcome Nigel Farage, not just as a member of Parliament, but as the prime minister.

Mr Farage became an MP at the eighth time of asking in July as he was elected to represent Clacton in Parliament.

But the ex-UKIP leader has now found himself facing questions over his claim that he cannot hold in-person constituency surgeries in his Essex seat due to security fears.

He said he had been advised not to hold old-style physical meetings to address locals issues in case they flow through the door carrying blades in their pockets.

A conference attendee wears a T-shirt featuring Mr Farage on the opening day of the Reform gathering in Birmingham

A man dressed in Union Jack glasses and hat poses for a photo at the Reform conference

One delegate was spotted wearing a God, Guns and Trump hat at the Birmingham event

Lee Anderson (second from left), Reforms chief whip, is expected to target significant gains at next years local elections and general election victory in 2029 in his conference speech

Do I have an office in Clacton? Yes. Am I allowing the public to flow through the door with their knives in their pockets? No, no Im not, Mr Farage told LBC radio.

But the Speakers Office and Parliaments security team are understood to have no recollection of telling Mr Farage he should not hold in-person surgeries in his constituency.

Sources said neither would have advised any MP not to hold a surgery because this would interfere with their democratic duties, but would instead have offered security advice on how measures could be taken to ensure their safety.

There is no record of such advice ever having been given to Mr Farage.

As well as a speech by Mr Farage, Reforms deputy leader Richard Tice, chairman Mr Yousuf and MPs Mr Anderson, Rupert Lowe and Mr McMurdock were set to address the partys two-day conference in Birmingham.

Mr Anderson, Reforms chief whip, is expected to target significant gains at next years local elections and general election victory in 2029 in his conference speech this afternoon.

He will say: We have five MPs and we are growing our membership and support every day. Next year we will win hundreds of council seats across the UK.

We must take this fight to Parliament so we can take back control of our country and in 2029 win the general election.

Mr Anderson was Reforms first MP after he joined the party in March following his suspension from the Conservatives over Islamophobic comments about London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

The conference comes a day after Mr Farage announced he was giving up ownership of Reform UK.

Unlike other political parties, Reform is a limited company of which Mr Farage is the majority shareholder.

But he yesterday announced he was changing the ownership structure so the party was owned by its members, saying: I no longer need to control this party.