Reform UK’s deputy leader has ruled out entering formal coalitions with other parties following the party’s sweeping election gains, pledging instead to pursue “common sense politics” focused on delivering tangible results for voters.
Richard Tice, speaking after Reform UK emerged as the clear winners of Thursday’s elections, said the party had delivered a “political earthquake” — winning control of 14 councils, securing more than 1,450 council seats in England, and coming second in both the Senedd and the Scottish Parliament.
But when asked how Reform would operate in councils where no single party holds an overall majority, Tice rejected the suggestion that coalition-building would be necessary.
“Trevor, we’re not doing coalitions,” he said. “We’re doing common sense politics, working with people across the whole spectrum, independents, whatever, in order to try and get stuff done — because that’s what voters have asked us to do.”
He added: “They haven’t asked us to enter into coalitions. They’ve asked us to save money and deliver better value, better services. Crucially, they’ve doubled down. They’ve said, ‘We want more reform, not less reform. More common sense, more business-like approach. Get stuff done.’”
Tice corrected the interviewer’s figures, stating that Reform had won majorities in 14 councils and is the largest party in nine others. He pointed to early successes in areas including Sunderland, Gateshead, St Helens, and across the former Conservative strongholds of Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.
“Voters have looked at it and they’ve doubled down,” Tice said. “They said we want many more councils run by reform councillors who’ve got a track record of success getting stuff done.”
The deputy leader also addressed a £5 million gift to Nigel Farage from donor Christopher Harborne, describing it as an “unconditional gift” made primarily for Farage’s safety and security before his return to frontline politics. Tice insisted the donor expects “zero, zip, nil” in return.
“Nigel is his own man. He is a strong man and no one can buy anything with regard to Nigel,” Tice said. “His convictions, his principles are absolutely rock-solid to save this great country.”
He dismissed suggestions of controversy, saying: “Millions and millions of British people are delighted, are grateful for that incredible generosity.”
