In a lively arena in Birmingham, central England, the atmosphere surged as flashing lights and pulsing music energized the crowd. Nigel Farage, the right-wing populist leader promising to mend a "broken Britain," made a theatrical entrance by riding onto the stage atop a backhoe.
Farage, who heads the anti-immigration Reform U.K. party, has been a consistent supporter of former U.S. President Donald Trump and has adopted many of the campaign strategies that fueled Trump's rise.
One key element of this approach is the return of large-scale political rallies, a tactic that had largely faded from British politics.
In the lead-up to local elections and a special parliamentary vote on May 1, Farage has been crisscrossing England, delivering energetic speeches in towns such as Cornwall, Darlington, and Hull. At these events, he combines humor with sharp criticism of "illegal immigrants," vowing to enforce deportations.
Since reclaiming leadership of Reform U.K. last year and securing his first seat in Parliament, Farage has propelled the party into a notable upswing in public support. From winning 14 percent of the vote last July, the party now consistently polls near 25 percent, surpassing the main opposition Conservatives and, in some cases, the ruling Labour Party.
The upcoming elections, though limited in scope, represent the first real challenge for Reform U.K. to translate its polling momentum into actual political power. Experts anticipate the party will secure hundreds of local council seats, win two mayoral offices, and potentially capture a parliamentary seat in the closely contested special election occurring simultaneously.
