World May 06, 2026 · 1 min read

Apps, activists and an ‘air war’: Essex campaign is test of Reform UK’s professionalisation

Nigel Farage’s party sees local elections as showcase for a sleeker approach borrowing from an unlikely sourceNigel Farage was midway through his walkabout of Waltham Abbey when a hunting horn loudly sounded on the Essex market town’s pedestrianised high street. “Oi oiii!” exclaimed the owner of Ouc...

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The Guardian
by Ben Quinn Politicial correspondent
Apps, activists and an ‘air war’: Essex campaign is test of Reform UK’s professionalisation

Nigel Farage’s party sees local elections as showcase for a sleeker approach borrowing from an unlikely source

Nigel Farage was midway through his walkabout of Waltham Abbey when a hunting horn loudly sounded on the Essex market town’s pedestrianised high street. “Oi oiii!” exclaimed the owner of Ouch Tattoos, Rob Chillingworth, putting down the instrument and reaching out a welcoming hand to the approaching Reform UK leader.

For Farage, this was the latest stop in a midweek tour of half a dozen towns in Essex, where more than 1m county council votes are up for grabs. Barring breakthroughs in Wales and Scotland, going from having a single councillor here to taking power would be one of Reform’s biggest achievements in Thursday’s polls.

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This article was originally published by The Guardian and written by Ben Quinn Politicial correspondent.

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