𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Never mind Tory-Labour smears about Reform UK going back on promises not to increase local authority taxes – given what an abysmal state the Conservatives and Labour left local government in – today Nigel Farage’s party reveals a £700m cost-cutting drive which helped its councils deliver the lowest average tax rises in the UK. Reform deputy Richard Tice will say nine Reform-led councils saved taxpayers £45m a year off their bills and earmarked £400m worth of savings for the next financial year. That’s in addition to £325m which has already been saved to date.

This matters enormously since Reform remains hot favourite to top local elections across the country in May. Indeed, so scared was the ruling Labour Party about the resultsof the May polls that Sir Keir Starmer’s party even attempted to stymie these elections, claiming local government reforms made it inexpedient for them to go ahead. Not because Labour stands to do badly you understand.

Despite claims therefore Reform is going back on apparent promises not to cut taxes, tax increases in Reform-led councils will average just under 4% in the next yeae. By contrast, the same figure for Labour councils will be 4.7%, Tory councils 4.9% and Lib Dem councils 5.49%.

Voters should take note because local government performance offers evidence of how each major party would perform in national government. Frankly, Labour-Tory profligacy should surprise no one since given these two parties can’t waste taxpayer money fast enough when in high office.

In addition to taking taxpayers money seriously, Reform councils are leading on criminal people-trafficking. For example, the Reform leadership of Kent County Council will declare an “illegal migration emergency” on Thursday, saying the small boat “invasion” is putting a strain on public services and finances. Incidentally, when did the British people vote for these open borders?

Ultimately, Reform – still ahead in the polls – is set to make big gains in May, even with some elections (like several newly created mayoralties) still delayed beyond 2026. Voters should pay close attention to what is going on at local level because it indicates how each party would govern in Westminster. If the public wants a party on the side of small business, hard working taxpayers and law abiding citizens then frankly it only has one place to go!