Nigel Farage makes 7-word promise as Reform UK launches election campaign | Politics | News
Nigel Farage made a promise to voters ahead of the elections on May 7. The Reform UK leader claimed the two-party system was “breaking Britain apart” in a speech to members on Thursday (March 26) and added that the upcoming votes will be a “referendum” on Sir Keir Starmer’s future as Prime Minister.
The party started its local election campaign before the elections to be held in May, which will be the biggest elections since the 2024 general elections. There will be elections in 30 English councils, as well as national parliamentary votes in Scotland and Wales. Speaking at an event in Sunderland, Clacton MP Mr Farage promised his party would “put the interests of the British people first”.
He added: “This will be a powerful referendum for our entire political class and our message is simple. If you want real change, if you want different people, if you want brave people who are ready to stand up and put the interests of the British people first, not international treaties or fake organisations, if you want people who will ensure that the British people, not young men who have just arrived by boat, are at the top of the social housing lists, if you want change on May 7, you have a change. The chance to vote for change.”
Joined by former Hartlepool Labor councilor Aaron Roy, Mr Farage continued: “There’s something remarkable going on there and it’s because people are realizing that the two-party system is breaking Britain.” Meanwhile, Mr Roy said he joined Reform UK because he believed in “giving power back to communities”.
Mr Roy also said: “For me, politics is not about control, it is about service. It is not about maintaining positions, it is about empowering people and that is why I am joining Reform today.”
Reform UK claimed savings of £700 million across its 12 councils. Mr Farage now insists his party can do the same in other parts of the country.
However, other parties objected to these figures. Labor criticized Reform UK for increasing council tax as well as closing care homes and adult education services.
Approximately 5,000 seats in 136 local councils will be up for grabs in the elections to be held in May. This comes after the Labor government abandoned plans to delay them.
Six mayoral contests will be held on May 7 in Croydon, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Watford. But other elections to elect new mayors, including in Cumbria, have been postponed until next year.
