Nigel Farage blames staff incompetence for empty seats at Reform UK speech

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick faced criticism after addressing a largely empty hall during a pre-Budget event at Lindley Hall in London. Farage attributed the low attendance to “staff incompetence,” suggesting that holding the event on a Monday made it difficult for business owners to attend due to their work schedules.

Reports indicated that attendees were moved to seats closer to the podium to create the appearance of a fuller room for live broadcasts. The event, intended to launch the party’s “economic rescue plan,” follows recent polling by Ipsos showing Reform UK at 20%, trailing behind the Labour Party at 32% and the Conservatives at 24%.

Political rivals from the Conservative Party mocked the turnout, contrasting the event with Kemi Badenoch’s recent press conference. This incident follows a similar awkward moment in Plymouth, where a request for business owners to stand up revealed that the majority of the audience consisted of pensioners.