[Jimbuna]

Farage accuses Starmer of plot to cancel half of May elections to slow Reform momentum

Sir Keir Starmer is plotting to scrap around half of this year's local elections to curb Reform UK's momentum, Nigel Farage has claimed.

The former UKIP leader has fumed over the alleged plan, which he says is also being taken advantage of by Conservative-run authorities.

Voters are due to cast their ballots at local elections for their local councils on May 1.

But there has been speculation as to whether some will not be able to cast their vote as ministers reportedly want to reorganise local government.

In November, it was reported that Labour ministers think the two-tier approach in some areas of the UK - whereby district councils operate underneath a wider authority - is inefficient.

Larger unitary councils may replace smaller bodies, it has been speculated, with more regional mayors also perhaps being appointed.

Mr Farage told TalkTV: "This has not been talked about at all...Labour want to reorganise the structure of local government.

"That is being used by county councils in which the Conservatives are in control to say, 'Ah well, if there are changes incoming, let's suspend the elections."

He added: "And, guess what, the councils that have asked for suspensions of the elections are the ones in which Reform is the strongest."

Mr Farage went on to say that democracy to thousands will be "denied".

He added: "I thought only dictators cancelled elections."

In December, a Reform UK source told Express.co.uk that the party is looking forward to this year's local elections.

They said: "The 2025 local elections - assuming they are not cancelled! - are a huge opportunity for Reform UK to cement our position as a truly national contender for power.

"Of course we're looking to consolidate our position in the areas we made our breakthrough in the General Election, all of which are currently scheduled to have council elections next year."

The party's gungho statement added that they are "coming for the Tories in the south" and "coming for Labour in the north".

They added: "We've already established hundreds of local branches, and we're well on the way to covering every constituency.

"Now we're rolling out the tools and materials to the branches so they can deliver winning campaigns right across the country."
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknew...784b180&ei=119