Nigel Farage has attacked Labour's local government reorganisation plans during a walkabout in his former Clacton constituency, warning that district councils could disappear. The Reform UK leader is campaigning ahead of the Clacton by-election after resigning as MP for the area on July 7 amid controversy over a £5 million gift from British cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne.
Mr Farage says the gift was to pay for his personal security. The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner launched an investigation in May into why the sum was not declared. Mr Farage insists he has "done no wrong".
District council 'will disappear'
In July, the Government announced plans for new councils in 14 areas of England, with 134 councils reorganised into 38 unitary authorities. Showing off a "stunning" garden in his former constituency maintained by Tendring District Council, Mr Farage told The Telegraph that the restructuring would spell the end for the council.
"Our real worry, and this is absolutely true, is that if local government reorganisation goes ahead, this district council will disappear," he said. "We'll be chucked into a big unitary, an amorphous mass, and the decisions will get made many, many miles away in the interests of big towns and cities... It is the opposite of devolution."
He added: "And, look, if he wants to have his mayors all over the country, fine. All right. That's fine. But to get rid of district councils will for rural areas and seaside areas literally be a disaster." Andy Burnham wants to devolve power away from Westminster.
Government defends reform
Before resigning as the Cabinet member overseeing local government, Steve Reed said the current system is "inefficient", and reforms would reduce "wasteful" duplication and improve public services.
"Some of our smaller cities are highly productive, but have been constrained by tight boundaries, set decades ago, which stop them from building the homes they need," he said. "Others are more rural, with significant demand for social care services and affordable housing. Local government should be set up to address the unique circumstances of each area and design public services tailored to each community."
Mayors to keep tax share
The Prime Minister announced on Friday that regional mayors will be allowed to keep a slice of income tax and business rates to spend on their priorities.
