Farage vows to hold ‘biggest launch rally in British history’
02 February 2025 8:47pm GMT
Nigel Farage has vowed to hold the “biggest ever” launch rally in British political history as he sets his sights on winning big at the local elections.
The Reform UK leader claimed the vote on May 1 will be the party’s “first real test” at the ballot box after it pulled ahead of the Tories in every major poll for the first time.
Reform, which is drawing support from both Tory and Labour voters, has begun describing itself as the “real opposition” to supplant Kemi Badenoch’s Conservatives.
It has added around 10 points to its support since the general election when it won 14.3 per cent of the popular vote and five seats.
On Sunday, new analysis of a mega-poll made up of nearly 18,000 voters suggested that Reform’s winnings would soar to 76 seats if an election were held now.
That would include 60 seats snatched from Labour, according to the Focaldata study seen by The Observer, including constituencies across the Red Wall, Wales and the south of England.
Labour is still ahead in the aggregate poll of polls, but the Government’s popularity has collapsed relative to its performance at the general election only seven months ago.
Reform said the event to kick off its local election campaign on March 28 would be “the biggest ever launch rally in modern British political history”.
Mr Farage is expected to appear alongside candidates hoping to become councillors and regional mayors.
Announcing the rally on X, he said: “The local elections are due to take place in 88 days. Reform UK are hosting the biggest ever launch rally in modern British political history.
“Book your tickets early and join thousands to be a part of history.”
In a separate statement, he said: “Reform has all the momentum in British politics and we are only just getting started.
“May 1 is our first real test and we are kicking off our campaign with something that’s never been done before. I can’t wait to show you all what we’ve been planning.”
It is unclear what the unique aspect of the rally would be, with Reform refusing to be drawn on the specifics.