"It said ‘reduce waste and cut your taxes’. Those were the words."
Nigel Farage endured a humiliating interview as he tried to defend Reform-run councils increasing council tax, despite them promising last year to cut taxes.
After being hit by the realities of local government, a number of Reform councils are increasing council tax by the maximum, with Worcestershire looking at a 9% increase.
During an interview with ITV, Farage was asked about the breaking of the pledge. He was told: “Your leaflets at last year’s local elections promised to ‘reduce waste and cut your taxes.
“Most of the councils that you took control of are putting tax up, including Kent – 3.99%.”
Farage replied: “I never said we’d cut. I never said we’d cut.”
However, the journalist interrupted: “Your leaflet said ‘cut your taxes’.”
Farage said that “means don’t charge the maximum of 4.99%”.
The reporter replied: “Most people would think that would be cutting your taxes.”
Attempting a different approach, Farage then said: “I never once, in the country, ever once did I say we would cut council tax.”
Asked if it was “a mistake to put it on your leaflet”, he replied: “I never put it on my leaflets.”
The journalist said: “You did. It said ‘reduce waste and cut your taxes’. Those were the words.”
Basit Mahmood is editor of Left Foot Forward
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