The Reform Party was formed in 1976 splitting from the National Union Party, which is perceived as being too accepting of Labour party policy and in particular practicing "Tory socialism", championing economic liberalism. When formed Reform presented itself as the national liberal party, supporting privatisation, low taxes, small-state government and strong defence of national sovereignty. During the 1980's as the Labour government implemented many of the free-market reforms championed by the Reform Party the party began to shift its focus to the culture war, supporting socially conservative policies. In the latter half of the 1980's the Reform Party became increasingly populist and cemented strong opposition to immigration (especially Asian immigration) as their central policy, which resu