Nigel Farage Promises 'Fresh Start and New Faces' for Sandwell with Reform Party
Reform leader Nigel Farage has pledged a "fresh start and new faces" if his party achieves an historic victory in Sandwell next month, potentially ending Labour's 50-year dominance of the borough. However, he declined to commit to specific policy details during a campaign visit.
Campaign Visit to Oldbury
During a visit to Oldbury on Monday, April 20, Mr Farage stated that Reform would bring "fresh thinking and fresh approaches" to Sandwell, offering a "fresh start after 50 years of a Labour administration." The party is fielding a full slate of 72 candidates in the upcoming contest and is optimistic about taking power, which would mark a significant shift in local politics.
Reform aims to break Labour's long-held control over Sandwell, where the party has been in power for all but one of the council's 52-year existence. Mr Farage emphasized this potential change, saying, "Labour have been in power [in Sandwell] since the late 70s, this will be a big change if we can achieve it."
Vague Promises on Key Issues
When pressed on what a "fresh start" would entail, Mr Farage mentioned that Reform would adopt a tougher stance on law and order and "use whatever means" to prevent town centres from deteriorating. He elaborated, "It will look like fresh faces, new ideas, fresh approach to everything. More intolerance on law and order, working more closely with police."
Regarding town centres, he added, "We are going to try to save the town centre, and use whatever means we can. It won't be easy but somebody has got to try otherwise nothing will be left."
Council Tax and Business Policies
Mr Farage also promised to keep council tax "much lower" in Sandwell, distancing himself from recent hikes in neighbouring Worcestershire. In Worcestershire, a minority Reform administration increased council tax by up to nine per cent this year and required nearly £60 million in government support to avoid bankruptcy. He commented, "Worcestershire, to be frank with you, I wasn't even sure it was a good idea to take minority control. Such a mess was that council."
On economic matters, he said Reform would "treat businesses with a soft touch," criticizing some councils for "perversely making life difficult." He asserted that a change in regime would lead to a "more efficient and more business-minded" approach, following the example of other Reform majority councils by "cutting money, and making life easier... making it easier for shoppers to park, to not have to pay, otherwise town centres are literally going to die."
Campaign Efforts in the Black Country
Mr Farage's visit to Oldbury was part of a two-day campaign swing in the Black Country for Reform. Deputy leader Richard Tice also campaigned in West Bromwich and Wednesbury over the weekend, highlighting the party's concerted effort to gain ground in the region. The upcoming election could reshape local governance in Sandwell, with Reform positioning itself as an alternative to long-standing Labour rule.
