Reform UK hoping to make gains in Hull

Reform UK has launched its Hull local election campaign, with Nigel Farage claiming his party "could begin to hold the balance of power" at the city council, making Luke Campbell's mayorship easier.

Farage said the Hull and East Yorkshire mayor had "a tough start" to his role because he was isolated and needed more support.

But Farage denied Campbell had been "missing in action" after the former Olympic boxer failed to turn up at select government meetings.

A third of Hull City Council's 57 seats, of which the majority is controlled by the Liberal Democrats, will be contested when voters head to the polls on 7 May.

Reform UK does not hold any seats on Hull City Council but the party won the inaugural Hull and East Yorkshire mayoral race in May 2025.

Addressing an audience at the city's Connexin Live arena, which was attended by Campbell, Farage said Reform hoped to "reclaim" a city where almost 68% chose to leave the European Union in the 2016 referendum.

Speaking to the BBC before the event, Farage said Campbell had been "thrown in at the deep end" during his first year in office and praised the mayor for his "impeccable patience".

Farage said: "He [Campbell] is reshaping local government, he's reshaping his team, he's managed to bring in quite significant amounts of investment, he's holding business forums, he's not shy.

"If we get Hull City Council into a different place where it's more supportive of him, there's more he can do."

Farage said Campbell initially found himself working with a team whose outlook differed significantly from his own and that of the party.

The council is currently led by the Liberal Democrats, which has a total of 31 seats to Labour's 26.

"If we can get a large number elected we can begin to hold the balance of power within Hull City Council and make Luke's life easier and that's the main reason I'm here," said Farage.

All wards in Hull, except Ings and Kingswood, will elect a councillor.

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