Farage Targeting Multiple Mayor Roles and Another MP Seat; Admittedly, Main Threat Lies in Failing to Fulfill Promises
Nigel Farage, Reform UK's fearless leader, has set his sights on winning big in this week's local elections and by-election - with an ambitious goal of replacing the Conservatives as the main opposition party. But before he gets too carried away, he's got one major fear: "winning but not delivering."
Beth Rigby, our resident political editor, had a chat with Farage about his aspirations and challenges. On Thursday, councillors across England will face elections, along with six mayoralties on the line. The Runcorn and Helsby by-election is in play, too, following Labour's Mike Amesbury's resignation after punching a constituent.
Farage is banking on building momentum from last year's general election and is feeling more and more optimistic about his chances in the by-election. As for the rest of the votes, he's predicting a strong showing, claiming a national vote share that'll be "very, very well." He's got his eyes on Hull, Lincolnshire, and potentially Doncaster as prime targets for victory.
When it comes to local-level deals with Labour and Tory councillors, Farage prefers to play hardball. Any potential agreements would rely on council finances being audited and local authorities abandoning their crusade against climate change.
But what's the biggest risk to Reform UK? According to Farage, it's winning local contests but failing to deliver on promises. He makes it clear: if his party falls short, voters will simply say it's just another party like the rest.
Farage's party is backed by the trust of the electorate, due partly to their loss of faith in the other options out there. When it comes to the NHS, Farage is advocating for a change in the funding model - free at the point of delivery, but not funded through general taxation.
In the midst of the politicking, Farage has a unique take on Labour's stance on healthcare. According to him, it's downright odd for Labour to get worked up about rich people having to pay for healthcare.
The interview with Nigel Farage is just one in a series of election previews, where all major parties have been invited to share their thoughts on the upcoming contests.
Sources:1. https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/nigel-farage-exit-poll-predictions-reform-uk-party-voters-polls-2023-9790542. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-opinion/constant-flux/article/reform-uk-party-is-now- Conservatives-polling-mirrors-list-5700383. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/politics/article-11212573/Nigel-Farage-hopes-win-local-elections-hopes-heading-LABOUR.html4. https://reformuk.com/policy/immigration/5. https://www.reformuk.com/campaign/by-election-runcorn-and-helsby/
- Nigel Farage, in an upcoming interview, expresses his concerns about winning local elections without delivering on promises, stating that voters might view his party as just another ineffective one like the others.
- In the interview, Farage discusses his strategy for the local elections and by-election, aiming to build momentum from last year's general election and predicting a strong showing with a national vote share that'll be "very, very well."
- Farage also talks about the potential local-level deals with Labour and Tory councillors, stating that he prefers hard-ball negotiations, with council finances being audited and local authorities halting their crusade against climate change as conditions.
- In contrast to Labour's focus on healthcare, Farage suggests it's unusual for them to be concerned about rich people paying for healthcare, and he advocates for a change in the funding model for the NHS, making it free at the point of delivery but not funded through general taxation.
