Guardian photojournalist Sean Smith has been following Reform UK leader Nigel Farage as he traverses the country on a packed schedule of walkabouts and meetings with prospective councillors and supporters ahead of the May local elections.
Campaign Kick-off and Rallies
Reform's campaign began with a series of rallies for supporters and candidates, where attendees who were not already members were encouraged to join the party and put themselves forward as candidates. Now, Farage is engaged in a hectic itinerary of walkabouts and meet-ups with prospective councillors and supporters across the nation.
High Street Walkabouts
On 24 April, Farage conducted a high street walkabout with a prospective councillor and billionaire backer Nick Candy at the Braintree Outlet Village shopping centre in Essex. Earlier, on 22 April, he was in Shipley, Yorkshire, for another walkabout. On 17 April, he visited Great Dunmow near Uttlesford, meeting supporters and prospective councillors.
During a long day that included stops in Waltham Abbey and Harlow, Farage met a fan in a barber shop in Great Dunmow and posed with friends and their dogs in Waltham Abbey. At one point, a man rushed out of the barber's mid-haircut to greet him and take a selfie.
On 15 April, Farage was in Crowborough, where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Kim Philby once lived. The high street was relatively empty, apart from press, as prospective councillors showed him around.
Asylum Seeker Camp Visit
After the Crowborough walkabout, Farage visited a former cadet training camp that now houses asylum seekers. He recalled visiting the camp as a schoolboy cadet. Last year, the government announced that about 500 asylum seekers would be housed in the army camp on the outskirts of town, sparking protests and the formation of a local volunteer patrol group. At the camp, Farage recorded video for Reform's YouTube channel and social media.
Later that day, he went to Crawley for another walkabout, where he met a group from the Chagos Islands, before ending in Redhill. The day concluded with a candidate meet-up at a pub, where he chatted and posed for a group photo.
Dagenham and Chigwell
On 10 April, Farage embarked on a walkabout in Dagenham, home to 60s stars Dudley Moore, Sandie Shaw, and 1966 England manager Sir Alf Ramsey. The town is also known for the Ford sewing machinists strike of 1968, dramatised in the film Made in Dagenham. More recently, on 26 August 2024, a fire engulfed the Spectrum tower block with cladding similar to Grenfell, though a major disaster was averted. After the walkabout, Farage visited the Forester pub in Chigwell to meet prospective councillors, take questions, and have photos taken.
Welling and Bromley
Another walkabout took place in Welling, where Kate Bush grew up and the British National party had its headquarters for five years until the council shut it down after large anti-racist protests. The day finished with a meeting at the Bird in Hand pub in Bromley, where Farage posed for individual photos with each person.
Bedworth and Beyond
After a press conference at the Saunders Club in Bedworth with Siobhan, the mother of Rhiannon Whyte who was murdered by an asylum seeker, Farage went on another walkabout. Many young people on school holidays wanted selfies. Bedworth once hosted industries like the first alloy-bodied Jaguar XK120s built in 1948, and some manufacturing remains.
Press Conferences and Easter Message
Over Easter weekend, Farage was in London for a press conference and recorded an Easter message for supporters. On 31 March, he was in Norwich, Norfolk, and on 23 March, he had a quiet moment while campaigning in Felixstowe, Suffolk. A walkabout in Felixstowe was cut short due to a small protest after a tea shop stop. Generally, Farage received a warm welcome, though occasional cries of "not welcome" or "despicable man" were heard.
Rallies in Grays and Basingstoke
On 18 March, Farage posed for photos with local council candidates and supporters before a rally at the Circus Tavern entertainment complex in Grays. Among upcoming attractions were an Ultra Mixed Martial Arts event, Katie Hopkins Free Range tour, and comedian Jim Davidson. A rally in Basingstoke on 10 March kicked off a day in Hampshire, followed by a visit to Portsmouth's oldest pub, the Wellington, and the old docks on the day HMS Dragon departed for Cyprus.
London Press Conference and NEC Rally
At a press conference in London, mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham, former Labour mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales, and ex-councillor Clive Furness announced they had joined Reform UK. On 9 February, Farage spoke at a rally and press conference at the NEC Birmingham with all Reform MPs and talkshow host Jeremy Kyle.
Veterans Rally and Romford Dance
On 26 January, Farage attended a veterans rally at old Billingsgate market, where ex-Tory home secretary Suella Braverman announced she was joining Reform. On 19 January, there was a rally in Newark, Jenrick's constituency. And on 16 February, after a speech in Romford, Farage danced to Frankie Valli's version of Can't Keep My Eyes Off You.
Local elections are notoriously unreliable barometers for predicting general election results. But this time, as the government finds every available hole to fall into—or digs one of its own—things may prove to be different.
