In 11 years as a member of the European parliament and 10 months as an MP, Nigel Farage has tasted power as a one-man band leader of Ukip, the Brexit Party and now Reform UK without having any responsibility. That has changed after Reform’s spectacular advance in last Thursday’s local elections in England: Mr Farage’s party now has 677 councillors and runs 10 authorities.
Their actions in office will provide a huge test for Reform as it tries to show it is a credible party for power nationally. It has built a grassroots organisation and “professionalised” the party in a way Mr Farage’s previous vehicles failed to do. His council candidates were carefully vetted (unlike his standard-bearers at last year’s general election), though it is likely that some with controversial views slipped through the net and may soon command unwanted headlines. The signs are that Reform HQ will try to keep a tight rein on its new representatives, but experience suggests that will be harder than it sounds.
