Nigel Farage Hails Coggeshall Win While Regretting Worcestershire Control

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage expressed conflicting views on his party's local governance and electoral growth on March 16, 2026. Farage stated he wishes Reform UK had not taken minority control of Worcestershire County Council, describing the position as a "hiding to nothing." This follows the council's approval of a nine percent council tax increase—the highest in the country—and the receipt of £59.9 million in emergency government support to balance its budget. Farage attributed the struggle to inheriting a "virtually bankrupt" council, though Conservative group leader Adam Kent claimed the tax hike could have been avoided through savings.

Despite the difficulties in Worcestershire, Farage celebrated a by-election win in Coggeshall, where apprentice mechanic Nathan Robins became the first Reform UK councillor on Braintree Council. Farage described the result as "totally extraordinary," noting that the Conservative candidate finished fourth in a traditional stronghold. He indicated that the party is building strength in Essex ahead of county-wide elections on May 7.

Farage also claimed a legal victory in the High Court against the government. The court revoked legislation from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government that sought to postpone local elections due to council restructuring. Farage cited the win as securing the voting rights of five million people and voiced opposition to merging councils without resident consultation.