Nigel Farage swept into Gilroyd recently, dressed like he’d got lost on the way to the Henley Regatta.

When I first saw the pictures, I wondered if he’d heard that Barnsley was now the UK’s first Tech Town and thought there was a quick quid to be made.

After all, he’s put hundreds of thousands of pounds into a crypto firm chaired by the Tory Chancellor whose disastrous mini-budget sent mortgage rates spiralling in 2022.

A strange move for a man who says he doesn’t like Tories - but, then again, so was welcoming around 20 ex-Tory MPs into his party. It’s almost as if you can’t believe a word he says!

Anyway, it turns out he was here to talk about the local elections.

All loafers and bluster, he delivered a speech that talked the country down and tried to spread division - but which said virtually nothing about Barnsley.

I’m not surprised. Because when you look at the record of the Labour-run council here, it’s easy to see why Farage was too scared to talk about it.

Under the leadership of Steve Houghton, Barnsley’s Labour council has delivered real improvements for our town.

It’s backed working families with school uniform vouchers worth up to £100, free bus travel for under-18s, and free access to our fantastic new youth zone, Base 71.

It’s invested millions into parks across the borough and completely regenerated our town centre, creating award-winning markets and museums in the process.

It’s also well ahead of the curve. That’s why Barnsley’s Health on the High Street programme has been called the ‘future of the NHS’ and is now being replicated across the country.

As for becoming the UK’s first Tech Town, this has nothing to do with crypto, and everything to do with a long-term vision for Barnsley’s digital and creative industries.

That’s why giants like Google and Microsoft are investing here.

Barnsley’s council didn’t win both major Council of the Year awards by accident, and there’s a reason disposable income is rising faster here than anywhere in the north of England. It’s down to experienced leadership. Steve has spent decades delivering for our borough and knows how to run a council.

So, let’s not risk the future of our town with Reform.

Because, when it comes to who Reform would want to run our council, we’re completely in the dark. No clear leadership, no proven team just a brand built around Farage.

This hasn’t worked in Worcester, where the Reform-run council are increasing council tax by nearly nine per cent.

It hasn’t worked in Derbyshire, where Reform is planning to close care homes, hitting the most vulnerable.

And it hasn’t worked in Doncaster, where Reform have put the future of the airport at risk.

It’s also worth noting that just over five per cent of Reform councillors elected in 2025 had resigned within six months - each resignation costing taxpayers thousands in by-elections.

That’s not commitment. It’s not delivery. And it’s not what Barnsley needs.

This May, the choice couldn’t be clearer.

A Labour council with a proven and proud record, or a Reform alternative built on noise, uncertainty, and a record that simply doesn’t stack up.

Please choose wisely.