Farage hoping to win three mayoralties and another MP – but says biggest risk is not delivering on promises
Nigel Farage is hoping to win two or three mayoralties in this week local elections – and perhaps even the Runcorn and Helsby by-election.
But the Reform UK leader revealed to Sky News political editor Beth Rigby his biggest fear is “winning but not delivering”.
Councillors across England are facing election on Thursday, as well as six mayoralties being up for grabs.
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And the Runcorn and Helsby by-election is taking place after Labour’s Mike Amesbury resigned, having punched a constituent.
Mr Farage is hoping to build on the momentum he built last year at the general election – and says he wants to replace the Conservatives as the main opposition party.
Asked what his goals were, the Reform leader said he was feeling more and more “optimistic” about winning in the by-election.
As for the rest of the votes, Mr Farage said: “I think national vote share, we’re going to do very, very well. I think mayoralties, I think we’ll win two, maybe three.”
He highlighted Hull, Lincolnshire and perhaps Doncaster as his party’s best hopes.
Mr Farage was also asked about whether his party would – at a local level – do deals with the likes of Labour and Tory councillors in order to control local authorities.
He said that any agreement would have to be done on the grounds that all parties agree to council finances being audited, and also that local authorities “stop fighting climate change – things like that”.
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What to expect from the local elections?
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But Mr Farage said he did not want to be making deals with Labour or the Conservatives.
Asked what the biggest risk to his party was, Mr Farage said: “The biggest risk is succeeding, winning mayoralties, perhaps winning control of county councils, and not delivering.”
He said if Reform doesn’t deliver, then voters will say the party is “just like” the others.
Mr Farage said his party is doing well because it is trusted, and voters have lost faith in others.
The Reform UK leader was also asked about his stance on the NHS.
Mr Farage stated that he wants to see the way the health service is funded changed.
He said that he wants it to be “free at the point of delivery”, but not “funded through general taxation”.
He claimed the UK gets “worse bang for buck” than any other country when it comes to health spending.
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Mr Farage said it would be “odd” for Labour to be in the position where it is upset at the suggestion that rich people might have to pay for healthcare.
The interview with Nigel Farage is part of a series of election previews with all major parties invited.
Sir Keir Starmer is under increasing pressure to recognise a Palestinian state, with MPs signing a mass cross-party letter demanding he take the step.
The letter is being organised by the Labour backbencher Sarah Champion, who also sits as the International Development Committee Chair.
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They write: “British recognition of Palestine would be particularly powerful given its role as the author of the Balfour Declaration and the former Mandatory Power in Palestine”.
“Since 1980 we have backed a two-state solution. Such a recognition would give that position substance as well as living up to a historic responsibility we have to the people under that Mandate.”
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‘Many more deaths unless Israelis allow food in’
Earlier this month, nearly 60 Labour MPs called on David Lammy and the Foreign Office to immediately recognise Palestine as a state in a private letter, but this new call shows how dissatisfied many still are with the government’s refusal to change its stance on the issue.
Late last night Number 10 released a statement on Gaza calling the situation “unspeakable and indefensible,” but a growing number of Labour backbenchers fear it’s not enough.
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In light of a tweet by the French President Emmanuel Macron also sent last night declaring France would recognise a Palestinian state in September at a UN conference, a number of MPs now say Number 10’s current position is untenable.
“They had said they wanted to be in lockstep with allies, but this means that position won’t hold,” said one Labour MP.
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Emily Thornberry has told Sophy Ridge that it’s “insulting” that the Israeli government rejected a statement calling for a ceasefire.
Peter Kyle, the technology secretary, this morning defended the government’s resistance to calls for immediate UK recognition of a Palestinian state.
“We want Palestinian statehood. We desire it, and we want to make sure the circumstances can exist where that kind of long-term political solution can have the space to evolve and make sure that it can become a permanent circumstance that can bring peace to the entire region,” he told Sky News.
“But right now, today, we’ve got to focus on what will ease the suffering, and it is extreme, unwarranted suffering in Gaza that has to be the priority for us today.”
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Aid waiting to be distributed in Gaza
An emergency call with Germany and France is scheduled for today to discuss what Sir Keir described as a “human catastrophe” which has “reached new depths”.
The Foreign Office have maintained they are committed to recognising a Palestinian state but have expressed a willingness to do so only when it will have the “most impact in support of a peace process”.
They say: “We continue to provide lifesaving aid to support Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and to work closely in support of the Palestinian Authority.”
A Downing Street spokesperson also confirmed their position on Palestinian statehood remains unchanged.
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