Farage targets ‘woke’ spending in Exeter

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage visited Exeter on Monday to rally support for his party’s local election candidates, taking aim at Devon County Council’s spending and promising to “turn around the direction” of the country.

Speaking to nearly 50 Reform UK candidates and supporters at Sandy Park, the MP for Clacton criticised the current Conservative-led council, accusing it of prioritising “woke” policies over essential services.

“In Devon you’ve got a Conservative-led council who have gone completely woke. The numbers are unbelievable,” he told the crowd. “Half a million quid on diversity, equality and inclusion over the course of the last three years alone. Money is just disappearing on climate change and diversity, and the potholes are not being solved at all. It’s disgraceful, and it’s why we might do rather well.”

Farage’s visit was part of a wider push by Reform UK ahead of the May 2 local elections, with the party fielding candidates in every seat on Devon County Council. The event gave candidates a chance to meet their leader, share campaign messaging, and pose for photos to feature in their local election material.

“There’s a lot of love out there for us,” Farage added. “People say we represent the last hope for having a country that is recognisable to the one we grew up in.”

The Reform UK leader praised the party’s momentum on the doorsteps and told attendees that their mission was about “taking control, winning the next general election and turning around the direction and the energy of the whole country.”

Other political party leaders are expected to visit the South West in the coming weeks as campaigning ramps up ahead of polling day.