Organisers said around 750 people attended the rally. Around 100 demonstrators from Stand Up To Racism Now assembled nearby in opposition to the visit.
The event comes ahead of May’s local elections, with Reform seeking to gain its first foothold in Swindon politics.
Speaking to Swindon 24 before going on stage, Farage said the town reflects wider dissatisfaction with mainstream parties.
“Swindon is classic swing country, isn’t it? It’s Tory, it’s Labour, it’s Tory, it’s Labour,” he said. “People have literally had enough of what increasing numbers feel are the ‘uni-party’, very little difference between the two.”
He also criticised the council’s financial position and the state of the town centre.
“Local government here [is] massively in debt, council tax increasing with the maximum allowed every single year, a town centre literally being hollowed out,” he said.
Outside the venue, protesters chanted and held banners criticising the party and its policies.
Tom Butcher, local Green Councillor in Swindon said:
“We attended because we felt it important to show the people of Swindon that we are standing up to Reform. Their divisive hateful politics have no place in our town. Instead, we choose hope, unity and building up our communities.”
Asked about the demonstration, Farage said those attending the rally represented a broader cross-section of voters.
“You’ll see a lot of people, hundreds of us tonight, coming along because they’re curious… voters in Swindon who are coming along to have a debate and get engaged,” he said.
He added that he believes Reform is “in touch with the centre ground of public opinion.”
The rally also marked the start of the party’s local election campaign.
Kirt Wakefield, chairman of Reform UK in Swindon, said the party plans to stand candidates in all 57 seats on Swindon Borough Council.
“We’ve obviously got an election coming up, and we are looking to contest all 57 seats within Swindon Borough Council,” he said. “We hope to win a majority.”
Wakefield said the party sees an opportunity among voters dissatisfied with established parties.
“I think working class people vote Reform… elderly conservatives or traditional elderly Conservative voters vote Reform,” he said.
Inside the venue, supporters were encouraged to join the party.
Danny Kruger appeared as a warm-up speaker before Farage addressed the crowd.
Reform currently has no councillors in Swindon. The upcoming vote will mark its first significant electoral test in the town.
Farage said detailed local policies would be set out by candidates once confirmed.
“I’ll leave it to our candidates list when it’s finalised to give you the full local solutions,” he said.
With campaigning intensifying ahead of May, the rally highlighted Reform UK’s intention to turn national support into local representation. Whether that support translates into votes will become clear at the ballot box.
There is not a single reform policy that will benefit working or middle class people.
There policies appeal to hatred and division. What on earth do people think will happen to the working and middle classes if Reform are in? They are funded by the elite class for the elite class, and rely fully on the lack of education and hatred felt by those who have been marginalised to vote for them. Wake-up. There is no one in Swindon, these people work for. Weather your disappointingly a racist or not. They won’t serve us. White working and middle class Swindonians have far more in common with their migrant neighbours then they ever will Nigel Farage.