Nigel Farage Pledges £5m Spending Blitz for 2026 Local Elections
Nigel Farage has pledged a £5 million local elections spending blitz over a four-month period, utilizing direct mail and social media campaigns. The upcoming election, scheduled for 7 May 2026, will see voters cast ballots for 5,036 council seats across 136 English local authorities, alongside devolved legislature elections in Scotland and Wales for the Scottish Parliament and Senedd.
The funding for this campaign is backed by a £9 million donation from Christopher Harborne, recognized as one of the largest political donations in UK history. Reform UK's initial goal is to secure 1,000 seats, although there could be delays to voting due to proposed local government reorganisation affecting 63 authorities.
Campaign themes will focus on law and order, the cost of living, and migration, with particular attention on outer London areas. The campaign slogan is "Britain is broken, Britain needs Reform."
Farage described the campaign as "double or quits," emphasizing the importance of planning and preparation. He considers the local elections the most significant political event before the general election in 2029, stating that if they exhaust their funds or energy, it will still mark a pivotal effort.
Additionally, Farage addressed past allegations of antisemitic language during his school years, denying any wrongdoing and suggesting such reports are intended as attacks but may ultimately strengthen his support base.
Strategically, the campaign will place special emphasis on social media outreach and engaging non-voters to motivate registration and turnout.
