Nigel Farage visits Leeds for Reform UK rally ahead of local elections

The Time for Reform Rally took place at the First Direct Bank Arena, with a keynote speech from Farage and guest speakers including former Morley and Outwood MP Dame Andrea Jenkyns, Ashfield MP Lee Anderson and Reform party chairman Dr David Bull.

The party, which is hoping to make ground in the upcoming local elections, is taking the rally - billed as described as a “high-energy, broadcast-style event” - across the country.

Speaking at the event, Leeds Councillor Trish Smith, who represents Pudsey, was asked why she chose to join the party last year.

She told the crowd: “I like what Reform stands for and I think we can make a difference, and I think that this great country needs saving.”

Speakers addressed issues including immigration, youth participation in the party, and healthcare policy.

Farage closed the event, with his message that “Britain is broken.”

He said: “Try and get a GP appointment, try and drive to Manchester at 8am in the morning. Nothing works. Until you actually recognise that, until you get the diagnosis, you can’t begin to cure it.”

Local candidates were invited onto the stage, as Farage said he believed Reform had “every chance” of winning Wakefield Council, as well as “trying hard” in the 33 council seats up for election in Leeds this May.

Speaking ahead of the rally, Reform UK member Jacqui Rider, of Pudsey, said: "It's immigration that I'm bothered about. I'm looking forward to it. I haven't been to a rally before so I've come to see what they've got to say.

"The economy and immigration is what we should focus on. For me, they're both equally as bad as each other. Reform will bring some solutions”.

Supporter Nick Swire, of Cross Gates, said: “I’ve come to see Mr Farage and see what he's got to say rather than what you see on the telly.

Asked what issues he wants to see given prominence in the elections, he added: “If you go out to the suburbs, the roads are terrible. There's litter. It's just really rundown everywhere. They're spending a lot in the town centre, but when you go out to Cross Gates where I live it's terrible. They need to inject a bit of investment."

A counter-demonstration was organised by Stand Up To Racism Leeds, with members of trade unions, the Green Party, the Liberal Democrats and other groups joining the protest outside the arena.

Brannoc Stevenson, a Green Party candidate for the Roundhay ward, who joined the protest, said: “We want to send a message that the divisive politics of Reform aren’t welcome.

“We want to present an alternative politics that doesn’t pit people against each other, and let Farage know that our communities won’t be divided.”

Residents across Leeds are heading to the polls on May 7 in the latest city council election. The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday, April 20.