Nigel Farage has made a promise to voters ahead of the polls on May 7. The Reform UK leader claimed the two-party system has “broken Britain” in a speech to members on Thursday (March 26) and added the upcoming ballots would be a “referendum” on Sir Keir Starmer’s future as Prime Minister.

The party launched its local election campaign ahead of the polls in May which will see the biggest set of elections since the 2024 general election. There will be elections in 30 English councils as well as national parliament votes in Scotland and Wales. Speaking at an event in Sunderland, Mr Farage, the MP for Clacton, promised that his party would “put the interests of British people first”.

He added: “This effectively will be a referendum on our entire political class and our message is simple. If you want real change, if you want different people, if you want those with the courage, who are prepared to stand up and put the interests of British people first, not international treaties or bogus organisations, if you want people who will make sure that it’s British people that go to the top of social housing lists, and not young men who’ve just arrived by boat, if you want change on May 7, you’ve got a chance to vote for change.”

Mr Farage, who was joined by former Hartlepool Labour councillor Aaron Roy, continued: “Something remarkable is happening out there, and it’s because people understand that the two-party system has broken Britain.” Meanwhile, Mr Roy said he joined Reform UK as he believed in “giving power back to communities”.

Mr Roy also said: “For me, politics is not about control, it’s about service. It’s not about protecting positions, it’s about empowering people, and that’s why today I’m joining Reform.”

Reform UK has claimed to identified £700 million in savings across its 12 councils. Mr Farage now insists that his party will be able to do the same elsewhere in the country.

However, other parties have disputed the figures. Labour has criticised Reform UK for closing care homes and adult education services, as well as increasing council tax.

Around 5,000 seats across 136 local councils will be up for grabs in the May polls. It comes after the Labour government abandoned plans to delay them.

There will be six mayoral contests on May 7, in Croydon, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Watford. However, other elections to select new mayors, including in Cumbria, have been postponed until next year.