The House | “The Perfect Symbol Of Broken Britain”: Nigel Farage’s Pursuit Of Potholes
Nigel Farage arrives on a JCB digger, 2025, Birmingham (PA Images/Alamy) 6 min read55 min High-tech solutions are being touted for some of local government’s oldest problems. But will there ever be a future without potholes? Ben Gartside investigates Wearing a trademark garish tie and less-trademark expression of fear and trepidation, Nigel Farage entered a rally in March 2025 clinging to the outside of a JCB lorry. Knuckles white, the Reform UK leader rolled into the conference centre in Birmingham as a ticker on the giant screen behind him counted off potholes around the country: COUNTY DURHAM 65,038, CAMBRIDGESHIRE 64,915, DEVON 55,825. Farage was preparing to launch his party’s local election campaign. Beset by mounting and unavoidable bills for social care and special educational needs, councils are finding their residents and voters frustrated at growing bills seemingly delivering less for the average resident. Reform have been open about hoping to turn the frustration into electoral success. However, candidates across the country will struggle to fix the problem. Councils find themselves responsible for funding …
