Reform UK says it is setting up branches to make it like the other political parties.

The party, which came third in the July General Election behind Labour and the Conservatives in terms of vote share, also reports growing support and membership since then.

Reform launched some of its first UK branches, including in the constituencies of Harrogate and Knaresborough, plus Bridlington and the Wolds, on September 2.

Reform will launch its Wetherby and Easingwold branch at a meeting in Boroughbridge on Monday October 8. York Outer is due for launch its branch in “the coming weeks.”

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York Outer’s John Bailey told the Press: “It’s definitely happening.”

Typically, the branches are being launched and led by the party’s candidates from the General Election.

Maria Bowtell of BridlingtonMaria Bowtell of Bridlington (Image: Supplied)

Wetherby and Easingwold’s Mike Jordan said: “The party is democratising and getting its act together. The membership keeps going up. We have 3,000 followers on Facebook. It’s going through the roof. We also have 400 members in the constituency I email regularly. It’s all going well. I am pleased with it.”

Mike, who came third behind Conservative MP Alec Shelbrooke, and Labour’s Ben Pickles, added a focus of the branches will be fighting for seats on the Harrogate and Scarborough Town Councils in May 2025.

Maria Bowtell says Bridlington and the Wolds, which extends towards Stamford Bridge and Pocklington, was one of the UK’s first pilot branches. It has been organising meetings and events across the constituency and is planning a Christmas Party in Hull with other nearby branches.

Since the July General Election, she says branch membership has increased from 100-120 to 172 and is growing 1-2 a day.

Maria is an East Riding Councillor who gained over 10,000 votes in the General Election and came third behind the Tories and Labour in what is now a three-way marginal. She says a priority for her branch will be campaigning for the East Yorkshire and Hull Mayoralty in May 2025.

Setting up branches, she says, helps people learn about and become active in politics. It led to Maria speaking at Reform’s national conference in Birmingham last month.

Maria added: “If I can do it, others can do it. Step up and be counted.”

Luke Charters, Keir Starmer and Rachael MaskellLuke Charters, Keir Starmer and Rachael Maskell (Image: Supplied)

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, John Swales reports nearly 600 supporters, 200 paid-up members and planned events such as quiz nights in November and a Spring Gala in March.

He is confidence of success in the 2029 General Election, believing the Tories will be out of power for ten years.

John said: “They abused their core voters so much. I don’t think Labour will go full-term. It’s there for the taking for us.”

Either way, Reform face a fight on their hands.

York Central Labour MP Rachael Maskell said: “Reform UK have nothing to offer people across our region. People need the inequalities and injustices that 14 years of the Tory Party served up dealing with, not more of the same.

“I have a proven track record of taking up the issues that people in my community face and am always willing to speak for them. This is what a committed Labour and Cooperative Party MP can do, and I trust that people will choose unity over division, as we rebuild our country.”

York Outer Labour MP Luke Charters said: "Whilst they offer a politics of problems but no solutions, we are delivering.”

(Image: Supplied)

“From setting up GB Energy, starting the process of nationalising the railways, securing the public finances, and protecting renters’ rights - we are already delivering at pace for Britain. People voted for change, and this government is already delivering that."

Thirsk and Malton Tory MP Kevin Hollinrake told the Press he was not frightened of or concerned about Reform UK.

He added: “We [Conservatives] need to raise our game in tackling the issues that forced people to vote for Reform. We are going to raise our game.”