Details have surfaced about a Reform UK contender for the forthcoming local council elections who received two disciplinary measures from the Conservative Party for purportedly making offensive or discriminatory remarks. Additionally, another candidate disseminated unfounded theories regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. These revelations coincide with the confirmation of full candidate rosters.
Over 5,000 local government positions in England will be up for grabs on May 7, alongside various mayoral races and elections for the parliaments in Scotland and Wales. These contests represent a major evaluation for leading political groups. Local authorities released the official candidate lists on Friday, following the nomination deadline at 4 p.m. the previous day.
Reform UK claims to have nominees in more than 95% of the available seats, a figure comparable to that of the Labour Party. The party’s leader, Nigel Farage, has stated that their candidate screening processes have been strengthened.
Among Reform UK’s hopefuls for Bolton council is Derek Bullock, previously affiliated with the Conservatives. He was suspended by that party amid accusations of posting a discriminatory remark about individuals of Pakistani descent on social media. Bullock maintains that the circulated screenshots were fabricated.
In 2023, while running as a Conservative for the council, images surfaced of a message allegedly posted during the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, in which he reportedly used a derogatory term and suggested executing people of Pakistani origin. The Conservatives withdrew their support, and Bullock secured the seat as an independent.
Previously, in 2020, Bullock underwent internal party discipline after reportedly sharing an article critical of Islam on social media. A Reform UK representative commented: ‘Mr. Bullock has consistently asserted that this image is falsified and has notified authorities about the re-emerged content. He is a respected community figure and serves as a trustee for the Asian Elders’ Resource Centre in Bolton.’
Separately, Reform UK has nominated Glenda Hall for Sunderland council. Her social media activity includes sharing a video promoting conspiracy narratives about COVID-19 and endorsing a blog entry that labels Afghan men as ‘sexual predators.’ In 2020, Hall posted what she described as an ‘intriguing video’ questioning if the pandemic was the ‘hoax of the century,’ created by Vernon Coleman, a noted promoter of conspiracy ideas. Coleman has labeled the health crisis as the ‘largest deception in history,’ attributing it to entities like the Rothschilds, Rockefellers, Bilderberg group, and Jesuits.
The following year, she suggested reading a Substack article on the ‘clandestine arrival of Afghans in the UK.’ The piece depicts Afghan men as ‘sexual predators’ and posits that accounts of their killings by Western forces could stem from ‘hopes driven by disgust at Afghan men’s sexual conduct.’ She remarked: ‘I personally wish they were accurate.’ Reform UK was approached for a statement on Hall.
Anna Turley, chair of the Labour Party, described the statements as ‘completely unacceptable.’ She added: ‘Nigel Farage has often highlighted Reform’s rigorous candidate checks. Once more, his party disrespects the electorate by fielding people entirely unsuitable for elected roles. Farage should immediately denounce these offensive comments and remove them from candidacy.’
Projections indicate Reform UK could secure advances in several councils, as well as in Scotland and Wales. While Labour and Conservatives anticipate substantial setbacks, the Green Party aims to gain ground, buoyed by improved poll numbers under leader Zack Polanski, who assumed the role for England and Wales in September.
On Friday evening, the Greens announced they have candidates in 89% of the contested English council seats, a record high surpassing their previous peak of 72% from last year. Earlier this week, the Greens captured a seat from Reform on Kent council—often viewed as Reform’s key stronghold— in a by-election triggered by the incarceration of a Reform councillor for coercive control toward his spouse.
