THE LEADER of the Reform UK party told more than 100 supporters at a rally in town that Barnsley is an ‘important area’ in next month’s general election.

Supporters were turned away at the door of Tuesday evening’s packed rally when Richard Tice said the party’s performance in the recent local council elections had spurred them into targeting the Barnsley North and Barnsley South seats currently held by Labour’s Dan Jarvis and Stephanie Peacock.

Reform finished second in more than half of the wards where it fielded candidates.

Mr Tice was in town to attend the rally at the Chilli restaurant and around 120 supporters packed in to hear him speak on Tuesday night.

He said Barnsley North and South seats were ‘important target areas’, adding: “We understand the concerns of working people and that’s why we are now the party of the working class.

“Our economic policy of lifting the point you start to pay income tax to £20,000 is really important.

“It helps bring people off benefits and into work. Work is a great thing and we think that’s the right thing to do.

“We’re also the only party that has a policy to get to zero waiting lists on healthcare in two years. We can do that but we need to be ambitious.”

Immigration has been the key word in the party’s policies in recent months - and Tice said it’s hard-working people in Barnsley who are affected the most by it.

“We’re living in an era where the Tories have allowed mass immigration,” he added.

“Our policy is to freeze illegal immigration which is what I think the vast majority of residents here in Barnsley want.

“It’s not fair that mass immigration has put huge pressure on housing rents.

“It’s young people, some of the worst-off that suffer the most.

“They key to immigration is integration which can be a positive thing.

“People want to pause for breath, help British folk and make Britain great again.”

Despite the ‘hunger’ for Reform UK in the town, Tice admits that the Labour Party will win the election in July - but it’s the future votes he is aiming for.

“Labour are going to get in anyway. We’re here for the long term. Lend us your vote this time round and we’ll get more votes than the Tories.

“They’re not the flavour of the month at the moment - they might not be the flavour of the next decade.

“Then at the next election we are the official opposition of the Labour Party and we take them on head-to-head.

“Three years ago when we launched Reform UK everyone laughed at me and people said you’re mad - but they’re not laughing now.

“The Tories are petrified, Labour have started attacking us which is always a good thing.

“It’s hard working people in Barnsley that are making a massive difference.”

Coun David White, who represents the Rockingham ward, is standing as the Reform candidate in Barnsley South while Bob Lomas, who was a guardsman at Buckingham Palace for more than a decade, is standing in Barnsley North.

David said: “I want a better Barnsley for everybody.

“There’s so many things that can be done a lot better.

“We’ve had a Labour-run council that’s been here since anyone can remember and they’ve never had any viable opposition.

“Someone needs to stand up for Barnsley and fight back.

“Some of the issues I’m talking about are not potholes and highways - proper investment bringing quality jobs.

“We’ve got warehouses springing up everywhere but everyone is aware they don’t bring quality jobs.”