'Wouldn't touch them with a barge pole' - Express & Star readers react to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's visit to Staffordshire
The public has given a mixed reaction to the appearance of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's visit to the West Midlands.
Mr Farage made a special visit to the Staffordshire County Council building on June 3 as part of a meet and greet of the Council's new Reform cabinet.
Visiting the region, he made promises of finding 'significant' savings at the council level, with plans to send software engineers, data analysts and forensic auditors to comb through the group's finances.
The visit comes after Reform UK gained the majority of seats in the region, taking 49 of the 62 seats available, and winning control of the county council.
While In the meeting it was all smiles and laughter, in the community it was a different story, with half of Stafford's residents welcoming the often controversial leader, and half detesting the group's visit.
Support for the visit, John Monkton, said: "Let's see how our money is being spent, and see why councils are going bankrupt.
"Transparency is required. Good work from Reform UK."
In the visit, Farage told the cabinet that 'the nation will be watching', noting their influence on the public image of Reform UK for days to come.
Julie Neale, another Express&Star commentator, said: "Awful man, awful part with awful strategies. Wouldn't touch them with a barge pole.
"Those who support them need to check their finances and policies, including their plans for the NHS."
The meeting was met well in the meeting, with many noting his usage of 'plain English' and 'no buzzwords' style.
Steven Taylor said on Facebook: "I look at it this way, Conservatives are useless, Labour is useless, so why not give them [Reform] a go?
"We've had the same rhetoric for 40/40 years and it's got us nowhere. The proof is in how well they run these councils, then we will judge."
