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Nigel Farage abandons walkabout due to protest

Vikki Irwin,Suffolk political reporter, in Felixstoweand
Ben Parker
News imageQays Najm/BBC Nigel Farage is wearing a dark blue suit and a yellow tie. He is surrounded by people, one holding a camera. In the background, protest signs are visible.Qays Najm/BBC
Nigel Farage was at a campaign launch in Felixstowe

Reform leader Nigel Farage abandoned a walkabout in Felixstowe after a protest was held.

Farage had planned to walk to the seafront as part of the launch of his party's local elections campaign in Suffolk.

But after protesters went to the scene, holding banners and chanting, a party spokesman said the event was cancelled following security advice.

The local elections on 7 May will include those for Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council.

News imageQays Najm/BBC Protesters holding up anti-Reform UK signs in the street.Qays Najm/BBC
A number of protesters attended the event

Charlotte Cummings and Jess Turpin, both 23, went down to see Farage's launch.

Cummings said statements Farage had made about making "Britain greater again" had resonated with her.

Turpin said she felt "50-50 with Farage – some stuff I agree with, some stuff I don't".

News imageVikki Irwin/BBC Two women smiling at the camera. The one on the left has long hair and glasses on her head and is wearing a brown jumper. The one on the right has long hair and a white jumper. They are standing in the street.Vikki Irwin/BBC
Jess Turpin and Charlotte Cummings had hoped to see Nigel Farage

Hussan Jamil, who said he was a healthcare assistant, a Muslim and an immigrant, has been living in the UK for six years.

He said he believed he was "everything that Farage loves" as he has no criminal record and "joins in with the community", but he felt that Farage "hates us and is trying to kick us out".

News imageVikki Irwin/BBC A man wearing a blue jacket. He is on a street with people behind him, and he is looking at the camera.Vikki Irwin/BBC
Healthcare assistant Hussan Jamil has been living in the UK for six years

Daniel King, who owns a shop in the town, supports Reform, having previously voted Conservative.

The small business owner, who said Farage had been in his shop as part of the visit, added that he felt he was "working to pay tax", and the local elections would be a "wake-up call" for the government.

News imageQays Najm/BBC A man with short hair, wearing a black coat and standing in front of items on a shelf in his store.Qays Najm/BBC
Daniel King, who runs a shop in Felixstowe, has switched from the Tories to Reform

Sarah Fitch, who was one of the protesters, said there was a lot of "misunderstanding" of Reform's policies.

She said national politics had overtaken the conversation in local politics and the party "did not back up its policies".

News imageQays Najm/BBC Sarah Fitch with long hair, wearing glasses and a yellow top. She is standing in front of people holding signs.Qays Najm/BBC
Sarah Fitch was part of the protest group

Later, Farage addressed an audience of 900 people at Trinity Park near Ipswich.

He appeared on stage with Michael Holt, the conservative group leader on Babergh council, who announced he had defected to Reform.

Farage said elections were only taking place in Suffolk this year because his party had taken legal action against the government, which had suggested postponing them because of a forthcoming reorganisation of local authorities

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