Let’s be honest: most of us don’t get excited about local councils. They’re usually seen as clunky bureaucracies that can barely keep the bins emptied or deal with a pothole before the next general election.
So, when Reform UK – Nigel Farage’s political outfit – swooped in and took control of 10 councils, it might’ve barely caused a ripple for some. A shoulder shrug here, a sarcastic comment there. But don’t be fooled – this isn’t just some flash in the pan. This was a calculated move, and Farage knew exactly what he was doing. It could well be the chess move that sets up Reform for something much bigger come the next General Election, reported the Express.
You might think all the real power lives in Westminster, but that’s not quite true. Councils have serious clout. They handle massive budgets, employ thousands, and make choices that impact your everyday life more than you probably realise. As someone who’s been involved in local politics in Middlesbrough, I’ve heard MPs say – only half-jokingly – that they’re jealous of the power local council leaders wield.
And now Farage has 10 platforms across the country to showcase his agenda. So far, his approach has been refreshingly blunt. He’s pushing to get council workers back in the office, slash what he sees as pointless Diversity and Inclusion jobs, and focus on what many would call plain old common sense. But perhaps the biggest play here is around migration.
Most people assume immigration policy is strictly for the big dogs in Westminster. But here’s the kicker: local councils are right at the coalface. Take Middlesbrough, for example. We’ve consistently had some of the highest numbers of asylum seekers in the country. That’s not a coincidence. Labour-run councils have often welcomed them, and let’s be honest, the Home Office tends to place people where housing is cheapest. Middlesbrough, with its low property prices, fits the bill.
Now, councils can’t exactly slam the door shut on the process, but they can stop rolling out the red carpet. Each authority is responsible for “settling” asylum seekers, and if Reform-led councils start to push back – even just by refusing to make it easy – it’ll spark headlines, debates, and likely a lot of noise.
Farage didn’t waste any time either. After the elections, he called out the system in Durham, saying migrants were being “dumped into the north of England” and handed everything on a plate. “It is unfair, it is irresponsible, it is wrong in every way,” he said. “And I don’t believe Starmer has got the guts to deal with it.”
And frankly? He’s got a point. In Middlesbrough, the impact has been impossible to ignore. Schools are stretched, some with pupils speaking 40 different languages. GP appointments? Good luck. And the constant churn in neighbourhoods makes it hard to build a real sense of community.
So, while the next big vote might still feel a way off, if Farage manages to ease even a bit of the pressure in these areas, don’t be surprised if Reform starts looking like a serious contender. Farage knows exactly what he’s doing – and he’s already miles ahead of the game.
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