Swindon24 TV
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Complaints
  • Contact us
Swindon 24 | Swindon News
  • News
    • Politics
    • Sport
    • Business
  • Swindon24 TV
  • Columnists
  • About + Contact
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Advertise
    • Complaints
No Result
View All Result
Swindon 24 | Swindon News
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Reform sets sights on all 57 council seats

Reform UK has confirmed it intends to contest all 57 seats on Swindon Borough Council in May’s local elections.

bySwindon 24
13 March 2026 • 7.30am
Reform sets sights on all 57 council seats

Photo: Harry Harnett

FacebookWhatsAppXBlueskyLinkedIn

The pledge was made during a visit to Swindon by Nigel Farage, where around 750 supporters attended a rally at MECA and about 100 protesters gathered outside.

Kirt Wakefield, chairman of Reform UK in Swindon, said the party plans to stand candidates across the borough.

“We are looking to contest all 57 seats within Swindon Borough Council,” he said. “We hope to win a majority.”

Reform currently has no councillors on Swindon Borough Council and this election marks its first significant attempt to gain representation locally.

However, when asked about detailed policy plans for running the authority, both national and local figures offered limited specifics.

During an interview ahead of the rally, Farage focused on national political issues rather than outlining a detailed programme for Swindon.

“After 14 years of Tory government, kind of a feeling that Labour would bring change, bring hope, and actually they’ve brought even more despair in a short space of time,” he said.

Photo: Harry Harnett

He pointed to concerns he believes are affecting the town, including housing pressures and crime.

“A law and order problem increasing, a social housing crisis, nearly 3,000 people here in Swindon on the social housing list,” he said.

When asked about the party’s approach to local services such as waste collection, highways and council finances, Farage said further detail would be provided by local candidates.

“I’ll leave it to our candidates list when it’s finalised to give you the full local solutions,” he said.

Wakefield said financial management would be a key focus for Reform locally and suggested council spending should be reviewed.

“I think some of the top issues are wastage within the council… we want to take a look and approach, try and see where there could be cost savings,” he said.

He also raised concerns about the cost of children’s social care placements and suggested savings could be made by reviewing how services are delivered.

Some of the candidates standing for Reform in the local elections

Asked about specific proposals, Wakefield said the party’s ideas were still being developed.

“We’ve got some candidates that work within those environments… they’ve got some ideas,” he said.

The rally centred largely on national themes, with speakers criticising mainstream political parties and calling for change.

Wakefield said Farage’s visit was intended to energise local supporters.

“I think it shows that he cares about Swindon and he wants us to win here,” he said.

With candidate lists yet to be finalised and campaigning under way ahead of May’s vote, Reform now faces the challenge of setting out a detailed local platform alongside its borough-wide ambitions.

Tags: politicsreform partyTop stories

READ MORE

Clashes over debt, drones and the Oasis in Swindon election debate

Clashes over debt, drones and the Oasis in Swindon election debate

6 May 2026 • 6.11am
Avebury Manor unveils new chapter after flood damage

Avebury Manor unveils new chapter after flood damage

6 May 2026 • 4.53am
Alliance launches to tackle river and habitat decline

Alliance launches to tackle river and habitat decline

6 May 2026 • 4.34am
Women’s voices take centre stage today in lunchtime election debate

Women’s voices take centre stage today in lunchtime election debate

5 May 2026 • 9.09am
Iconic Swindon building gets upgrade from defence tech firm

Iconic Swindon building gets upgrade from defence tech firm

5 May 2026 • 8.24am
Wichelstowe named UK leader for sustainable travel award

Wichelstowe named UK leader for sustainable travel award

4 May 2026 • 9.55pm
Load More

TOP STORIES

Iconic Swindon building gets upgrade from defence tech firm
News

Iconic Swindon building gets upgrade from defence tech firm

5 May 2026 • 8.24am

Portuguese technology company Tekever has applied to redevelop the Grade II* listed Spectrum Building on Mead Way. The site spans...

Read moreDetails
Holloway: ‘Absolute failure’ after season ends

Holloway: ‘Absolute failure’ after season ends

3 May 2026 • 9.26am
Runners get muddy at Lydiard Park Race for Life

Runners get muddy at Lydiard Park Race for Life

3 May 2026 • 8.47am
Clashes over debt, drones and the Oasis in Swindon election debate

Clashes over debt, drones and the Oasis in Swindon election debate

6 May 2026 • 6.11am
Highworth ready for vibrant May Day event this Saturday

Highworth ready for vibrant May Day event this Saturday

29 April 2026 • 6.06pm
Women’s voices take centre stage today in lunchtime election debate

Women’s voices take centre stage today in lunchtime election debate

5 May 2026 • 9.09am
More than 200 attend early morning festival launch in Swindon

More than 200 attend early morning festival launch in Swindon

4 May 2026 • 11.08am
Disused Eldene room transformed in free refurbishment

Disused Eldene room transformed in free refurbishment

3 May 2026 • 2.39pm
Swindon MP leads action to prevent airport summer chaos

Swindon MP leads action to prevent airport summer chaos

3 May 2026 • 2.31pm
Let’s go Swindon! One win keeps Swindon season alive

Let’s go Swindon! One win keeps Swindon season alive

2 May 2026 • 11.17am
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Complaints
  • Contact us
Swindon news.

All content © State Six News Limited, unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved. Swindon 24 is a trading style of State Six News Limited. Company number: 16190242. Registered company address: Suite A, 82 James Carter Road, Mildenhall, Suffolk, IP28 7DE.

  • HOMEPAGE
  • VIDEO