By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter / Pictures: Jules Annan / GNC
Nigel Farage was greeted to cheers from a packed crowd of Reform UK candidates and supporters chanting his name as he visited Gloucestershire today.
He was at the Clavell and Hind Brewery and Tap Room at Piffs Elm near Cheltenham.
His party is fielding a full slate of candidates in the upcoming elections for Gloucestershire County Council.
He said it was great to be in the county and asked “who said we couldn’t organise an event in a brewery”.
“Quite extraordinary, going around the country you always get fairly short notice these events are coming and yet the percentage of candidates that turn up and keen supporters is absolutely great,” Mr Farage said.
“Everywhere I’ve been, I promise you, there’s more energy with Reform UK.
“The Tories are almost nowhere to be seen. Labour have given up.
“The Lib Dems are focussing where they are focussing but I promise you we are trying from the tip of Cornwall to County Durham.
“Everywhere I go there’s a sense of energy and optimism. Here we are in Gloucestershire there are one or two targets to go for.”
He said the local election is “all about turnout” and he highlighted target seats in the Forest of Dean, Gloucester and Cheltenham.
Mr Farage said he was “humbled” by the level of support across the country and praised those standing for election who have never stood before.
“There are one or two old lags among you, I know, but most have never ever done this before,” he said.
“You are putting your heads above the parapet, getting a bit of stick, I have no doubt but less than you will get once you are elected, believe you me.
“You are doing it because you are part of the positive that is Reform UK. We know the mess our country is in and we are absolutely determined to do our bit to stand up and turn it around.”
Mr Farage was at the brewery for around an hour and after greeting supporters, candidates lined up to each get a picture with their leader in the sunny beer garden out the back.
The County Council elections are on May 1.
A list of all the candidates standing and what the Conservatives, Green Party, Labour and the Liberal Democrats can be read here.