The short version
- Ryan Bridge, leader of Raise the Colours, was granted access to Reform UK’s annual conference despite being on bail for suspected racially and religiously aggravated harassment.
- Nigel Farage publicly praised Bridge’s flag campaign and offered legal assistance against injunctions sought by local councils in Oxfordshire and Birmingham.
- The event underscores Reform UK’s balancing act between attracting moderate voters and responding to pressure from hard-right rivals like Restore Britain.
Reform UK’s annual conference, held on the outskirts of Birmingham, became a focal point for debate after Ryan Bridge, the leader of the flag campaign group Raise the Colours, was granted access to the event. Bridge is currently on police bail following his arrest earlier this year on suspicion of causing religiously and racially aggravated harassment, alarm, or distress. His presence at the conference highlights a complex strategic moment for the party, which is simultaneously attempting to broaden its appeal to centrist voters while navigating pressure from hard-right competitors.
Bridge stated that he attended the conference because it was held in his home city and due to ongoing developments concerning his organization. He clarified that he is not a member of Reform UK but received an invitation to participate. The conference typically restricts attendance to party members, lobbyists, business interests, diplomatic representatives, and press, with commercial passes costing hundreds or thousands of pounds. There are no general admission tickets available to the public, making Bridge’s access notable given his legal status.
During a discussion hosted by television personality Jeremy Kyle, Bridge was one of three individuals selected to ask questions of Reform leader Nigel Farage. From the stage, Farage paid tribute to Bridge’s campaign, describing it as having awakened vast parts of the country. He explicitly offered legal support to Bridge, who mentioned facing an injunction from Oxfordshire authorities and another potential action from Birmingham city council. This public endorsement signals a willingness by party leadership to align with activists involved in controversial flag displays.
Raise the Colours has installed hundreds of Union Jack and St George flags across England, framing the displays as expressions of patriotism. However, critics argue that the campaign uses these symbols to spread anti-immigrant sentiment. The group’s activities have drawn significant legal scrutiny. Birmingham city council is pursuing a high court injunction against Bridge and six others to stop them from putting up flags, with the first hearing scheduled for Tuesday. Additionally, Thames Valley Police confirmed Bridge’s arrest in connection with public order offenses on Abingdon Road in Oxford.
Bridge denies all wrongdoing related to his arrest and has characterized the accusations as lesser than criminal acts committed by far-left non-governmental organizations. Beyond the issues in Oxfordshire and Birmingham, he is also facing a trial in East Sussex. In June, he was charged with common assault following an incident in Brighton, where he entered a not guilty plea at magistrates court and was granted bail. These multiple legal proceedings underscore the intensifying challenges faced by the activist and his group.
The political context for Reform UK’s engagement with Bridge is shaped by competitive pressures within the right-wing spectrum. The party has been working to attract wavering center-ground voters who have previously been reluctant to support it. However, the emergence of Restore Britain as a hard-right rival has created incentives for Reform UK to pull further to the right. Hosting an activist like Bridge may be seen as a move to consolidate support among more conservative base voters while differentiating itself from moderate competitors.
Bridge and nine other activists were banned from France earlier this year after traveling there to participate in actions intended to stop migrant boats from leaving the sea. This international dimension adds another layer of controversy to his profile. The anti-fascist campaign group Hope Not Hate criticized Bridge’s attendance at the conference, describing it as genuinely shocking that someone they consider extreme was inside the event with a pass. Reform UK did not respond when contacted regarding Bridge’s presence.
The intersection of legal challenges, political strategy, and public perception defines the current landscape for both Raise the Colours and Reform UK. As local councils seek injunctions and courts prepare to hear assault charges, the party’s association with Bridge remains a point of contention. The outcome of these legal proceedings could influence how Reform UK navigates its identity in future electoral cycles, particularly as it seeks to balance ideological purity with broader electoral viability.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗Raise the Colours leader given access to Reform UK conference while on bail
