Nigel Farage has pledged to become Britain’s Elon Musk by launching a war on council waste as he accused local authorities of “taking taxpayers for mugs” and vowing major reforms if Reform UK wins in next month’s local elections.
The Reform Party leader has pledged to implement a British version of Musk’s DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) initiative to slash wasteful spending in town halls across the country.
Speaking to The Sun, Farage revealed shocking findings from Reform’s audit of council expenditure.
“Millions are being spent on frivolous projects – like free driving lessons for asylum seekers, trips to the south of France for civil servants and ergonomic chairs,” Farage said.
The Reform Party leader has pledged to implement a British version of Musk’s DOGE
PA/REUTERS
Shropshire Council spent £1,000 daily on a pothole consultant – enough to repair 20 potholes at £50 each.
Durham County Council lavished nearly £40,000 sending four executives to a property conference in the South of France.
Devon County Council splurged more than £1.7 million on electric cars for staff, while Derbyshire County Council “wasted” £150 million on a non-functioning waste recycling plant.
Farage promised to “send in the auditors” to every council Reform wins on May 1 to tackle this “profligacy”.
He described local government as “fat and lazy” and accused town halls of “taking taxpayers for mugs”.
“They spend it on diversity agendas, climate change, consultants, contracts with firms that are meant to mend pot holes and don’t do the job,” he said, “How can they be so complacent? How can they be so arrogant?” he said.
Farage also took aim at remote working in local government, vowing a crackdown if Reform takes control.
“They will be tintacked – they will be sacked. Get rid of them!” he declared about council staff working from home.
“A new lazy lifestyle seems to be acceptable. Well you know what – it is not to us and it is not to council tax payers either,” Farage added.
Reform is aiming to win at least 200 council seats in the May 1 local elections, including in Labour Red Wall heartlands like Durham.
The party could also clinch victory in the Runcorn by-election and several major regional mayoralties.
Farage believes the upcoming elections are “the most important set of local elections in many many years.”
Reform is aiming to win at least 200 council seats in the May 1 local elections, including in Labour Red Wall heartlands like Durham
GETTY
He warned that anger over net zero costs “could be the next Brexit” where “Parliament is so hopelessly out of touch with the country.”
Beyond local elections, Farage is positioning Reform to challenge Labour’s 174-seat majority at Westminster.
The party has begun courting trade unions, with deputy Richard Tice even wearing a “Save Our Steel” badge in Parliament.
“If we want to re-industrialise Britain at that macro level with big companies, producing big stuff then you have to have a good relationship with the trade unions,” Farage explained.
Asked if he could overturn Labour’s majority in one electoral cycle, Farage responded: “Well it has never happened before, but history is made by things that happen. I’m going to give it a go.”
