Political reporter Sam Francis writes that Reform has seen a significant increase in support since securing its first MPs in the July general election, with polls showing a surge in popularity and membership numbers exceeding 200,000. Among the new members is former junior Tory minister Andrea Jenkyns, who joined last summer and is now running as the Reform candidate for the mayorship of Greater Lincolnshire.
The party is gearing up for its largest rally yet, set to take place at Arena Birmingham with an expected attendance of up to 10,000 people who have paid £5 to participate. The upcoming local elections primarily involve county councils, such as Lancashire and Kent, which manage a variety of essential services like social care, education, road maintenance, and libraries. In areas without district councils, like Cornwall, Doncaster, and Buckinghamshire, local authorities handle a broader range of responsibilities, including bin collections, public housing, and planning.
While some local elections have been postponed until the following year due to ongoing council reorganization, Reform UK has voiced its opposition to this decision by launching a petition against the delay. Party leader Farage criticized the government and the Tories for allegedly collaborating to invalidate over 5.5 million votes across nine councils. Despite speculation, Farage reiterated that there will be no collaboration with the Conservatives in the upcoming election, emphasizing that Reform UK is not aligned with the Tory party.
In preparation for the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, Reform announced Sarah Pochin, a former Cheshire East councillor and local magistrate, as their candidate. With Labour holding a 34.8% majority in the last election, Farage downplayed the pressure on Reform to secure the seat, stating that their main focus is to provide strong competition to the incumbent party. Farage emphasized the importance of the by-election for Labour, asserting that Reform UK is determined to challenge their dominance in the area
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