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Conservative MP and Treasury minister Kemi Badenoch has taken aim at Nigel Farage after the former Brexit Party leader announced a £5 million donation to his newly re‑branded Reform UK party. Speaking at a press briefing in Westminster, Badenoch said the gift “shows he is not ‘down to earth’ as he claims to be” and highlighted the disconnect between Farage’s populist rhetoric and the scale of the cash he is now wielding.
“If you’re really ‘down to earth’ and speaking for ordinary people, you wouldn’t need a multi‑million‑pound donation to get your message across,” Badenoch told reporters. “It simply underlines that Farage is out of touch with the everyday concerns of voters.”
The comment comes as the UK’s local elections are under way on 30 April 2026, with voters across England, Scotland and Wales casting ballots for council seats, mayoral posts and police and crime commissioners. The elections are being closely watched for signs of how the major parties – Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats – are faring ahead of the next general election, while smaller parties such as Reform UK, the Greens and the SNP look to make strategic gains.
Reform UK, which re‑emerged from the Brexit Party earlier this year, has used Farage’s donation to fund a nationwide campaign focused on “sovereignty, fiscal responsibility and immigration control”. Party officials say the money will finance new advertising, grassroots canvassing and a digital platform to challenge the two‑party dominance in local government.
Labour, led by Sir Keir Starmer, is targeting traditional Conservative strongholds in the Midlands and the South‑East, hoping to capitalize on recent polling that suggests a modest swing in its favour. The party’s local election manifesto emphasises investment in public services, affordable housing and climate‑friendly infrastructure.
The Conservatives, under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, are defending a record number of council seats, particularly in rural and suburban areas where they have traditionally performed well. Sunak’s campaign stresses fiscal prudence, tax cuts and a “steady hand” on the economy.
- Labour aims to increase its council representation in London, the North West and parts of the Midlands.
- Conservatives focus on retaining control of key county councils and defending mayoral incumbents.
- Reform UK fields candidates in over 150 wards, buoyed by Farage’s £5 million boost.
- Greens target environmentally conscious constituencies, hoping to build on recent successes in university towns.
- Liberal Democrats concentrate on coastal and rural seats where they have a history of local support.
As polls close, analysts will assess whether Farage’s financial injection translates into electoral breakthroughs for Reform UK or whether Badenoch’s criticism resonates with voters who remain skeptical of big‑money politics. Live updates and expert commentary will continue throughout the evening.