Richard Tice Signals Change at Reform UK Press Conference with Controversial Past in Shadow
On December 16, 2025, Reform UK held a press conference at Church House, marking its second event in as many days. Richard Tice opened the event by apologizing and signaling a shift away from his previous sidekick image, aiming to present a more independent and liberal or 'woke' persona.
The policy focus included reframing Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) as 'differently abled,' proposing SEND provisions in every village, and transforming churches into special schools. Tice opposed private-equity-funded schools on the grounds of cost.
Described as a 'vibes conference,' the event drew a small audience of about two dozen people with minimal seating arranged in three rows. Tice appeared at times incoherent and eager for approval.
The event was shadowed by controversies, including Tice's past description of disabled children wearing ear defenders as insanity, his refusal to retract remarks about Nigel Farage's alleged racism and antisemitism, his failure to condemn Chris Parry's comment telling David Lammy to 'go home to the Caribbean,' and his attendance at a Bondi vigil about which he declined to comment fully.
