Reform UK has launched its “most ambitious” local election campaign with the biggest political rally since World War 2. Whilst Reform has been neck and neck with Labour and ahead of the Tories in all the polls, the Reform Party has now surged ahead of Labout, even despite the issues involving Rupert Lowe.
Whilst Reform will contest all the 1,600 council seats up for re-election on 1 May, AND six mayoral races AND a by-election in Runcorn following the assault conviction of Labour’s MP Mike Amesbury. This is up from 12% at the last council elections. The polls are now showing Reform far ahead of the other parties and the elections on 1st May will be a major electoral test of the popularity of the Reform Party that has openly stated that it intends to form the next Government. Since winning MPs for the first time at the July general election, Reform has surged in polls and says it has signed up more than 220,000 members.
Friday’s rally was Reform’s biggest event to date with the party selling 15,000 seats and with over 11,000 people attending despite huge transport problems caused by protestors and requiring a 45 minute late start to the event.
Party leader Nigel Farage entered for his keynote speech on a JCB “pot-hole” repair vehicle, loaned by JCB chairman and major Tory donor Lord Bamford. Nigel Farage said potholes were the “perfect symbol for broken Britain”, where he accused councils of being “asleep at the wheel” and calling the councils in various parts of England cowardly where they have postponed local authorities while councils are supposedly reorganised, including in Essex where Reform had been expected to do well. (Reform have launched a petition against the delay).
The party announced that former Cheshire East councillor and local magistrate Sarah Pochin will stand as its candidate for Runcorn, the 16th most safe Labour sear with 34.8% of the vote, and Arron Banks as Mayor for Bristol. “It’s a must win by-election for Labour,” said Farage. “We’re going to run them close. whatever we do.”
See the introduction to the Event
Watch Lee Anderson’s Speech