Nigel Farage has launched Reform UK's election pledges, branding the document a 'contract' with the British public rather than a traditional manifesto. The right-wing party's proposals include scrapping net zero targets, introducing life imprisonment for drug dealers, and significant personal tax cuts, with an estimated annual spending of £141bn.
The tax cuts would raise the income tax threshold to £20,000, abolish stamp duty, and eliminate inheritance tax for estates under £2m. Reform plans to fund these cuts by reducing interest paid on Bank of England reserves, aiming to raise £40bn. However, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has cast doubt, stating the measure is 'unlikely to raise even half' that sum and that the party's tax and spending plans 'don't add up'.
Launching in Merthyr Tydfil, south Wales, Farage described the former industrial town as 'skint' and 'in real trouble'. He argued the plans would benefit those 'trapped on benefits' and represent a 'fundamental change' to Britain's economy and society. The manifesto also proposes freezing 'non-essential' immigration, leaving the European Convention on Human Rights, and returning illegal migrants to France.
Conservative candidates were critical, with former minister Matt Warman calling the plans 'the height of irresponsibility'. Labour leader Keir Starmer sought to dismiss the launch, framing the election as a 'straight choice between Conservatives and Labour'. The TaxPayers' Alliance gave a qualified welcome but said details on spending cuts were needed.
