Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has launched a direct appeal to the nation's entrepreneurs, accusing the government of being in the pocket of big business and launching a new group to champion small firms.
A Pitch to Small Business Owners
Speaking at a press event in central London on Monday, 10th November 2025, Mr Farage addressed an audience of 300 small and medium-sized business owners. He stated that the Government "only listens to big business", which he claimed "virtually control and own the political arena".
He positioned himself and his party as the true understanding allies of business owners, telling them, "We get it. I've been in business, I've run my own businesses, as many of my colleagues have." He vowed to tackle the burden of regulation, saying many business owners are "literally living in fear about the inspector walking through the door."
The Age of 'Global Corporatism'
Mr Farage drew a sharp distinction between the capitalism practised by small businesses and the current economic model. He argued, "Some on the left will tell you 'the economy is failing because capitalism is failing'. No. We're not living in capitalism, we're living in an age of global corporatism."
He passionately defended the audience's entrepreneurial spirit, stating, "Capitalism is what these people do. Free enterprise is what these people do. These people take risks. They risk their own money... and that's what free market enterprise is about. It's about risk. It's about reward." He lamented that successful small business owners are often made to feel it is "wrong to be successful," promising instead that "We will champion success."
Launching 'Small Business for Reform'
The central announcement of the event was the launch of Small Business for Reform, a new group dedicated to supporting the party. Mr Farage made a direct call to action, telling the audience, "My message today is very, very simple: The Conservatives betrayed you on small business, Labour doesn't have any comprehension of actually what you do as small business, we do."
He added, "Today, as we launch Small Business for Reform, we are looking for tens of thousands of businesses up and down this country to join this organisation." The initiative received a significant endorsement from Kevin Byrne, the founder of the online directory Checkatrade.
Speaking at the event, Mr Byrne explained his support, stating, "Right now, I just don't feel or see or sense there's a vision for this country outside of Reform." When asked why he had joined the cause, he candidly replied, "It's desperation and disappointment."
