Reform UK detail their main aims as they campaign for elections in May
News / Wed 22nd Apr 2026 at 09:25am
REFORM UK Harlow has detailed their “main aims” for the forthcoming District and County Council Elections on 7th May.
A spokesperson said: “Firstly, it is worth pointing out that without Reform UK having thwarted the attempt to cancel Harlow’s vote this May through national legal challenge we would not be having an election at all.
In Nigel Farage’s visit to Harlow on Friday 17 April, he said that a nationally-led Reform UK government would challenge the current plans for Local Government Re-organisation that will see Harlow Council be subsumed into a larger authority.
Locally, here are the election pledges from Reform UK Harlow and the Villages.
Reform UK Councillors will work within the Council, and within the framework of existing regeneration deals to continue to improve Harlow.
We will not ‘stop rebuilding Harlow’ as the Conservatives have alleged. What we will do is to encourage sensible financial scrutiny of financial risk involved in the regeneration deals so as not to burden future generations in Harlow with unexpected debt. We will also seek greater public comment and involvement in new regeneration deals.
We will seek to spread regeneration to all of Harlow’s suburbs and wards.
Our approach to adding amenities to Harlow’s improved Market Square area will be to advocate for family-centred facilities including children’s play areas.
We will seek to reduce business rates and town planning to attract a better mix of retail and service businesses into the town centre.
We will review what proportion of new housing is for private purchase versus housing for people on the housing needs list.
We will look into incidents of fraud such as sub-letting within our 9,500+ council-rented properties. We want to protect social housing stock for local residents.
A crackdown on some HMOs – those that are disruptive, or house people not on the housing register.
Where HMO licences are for landlords seeking to house people from out of area, we will pause and review the current rules.
We will work closely with what we hope will be a Reform-UK-led County Council to address local road planning, reducing the impact of so-called environmental priorities which disadvantage motorists.
95% of road journeys are made by car which begs the question of why we are striving to make more space for cycling when Harlow is already well served with cycle paths.
We will want a review of the existing approach to Harlow’s traffic planning.
Pot holes continue to be a major problem in Harlow. We will review existing pot hole repair contracts and seek to ensure that the methods and techniques of repair are the best they can be.
“We will encourage preventative maintenance to Harlow’s roads to lessen the problem of pot holes occurring”.
Paul
2026-04-22 09:36:17
Blimey, that’s a sorry looking bunch of people. No thanks. Some look they have never had a job.
David Forman
2026-04-22 09:38:41
As the ruined petty bourgeois are a recurring feature of nationalist parties since Oswald Mosley's time, it comes as no surprise that they want to reduce business rates. Given the preeminence of landlords in the Reform Party national leadership it is hard to imagine them being overly concerned with the private versus affordable housing mix. After all, Farage and Tice want to scrap the Renters' Rights Act so that private rented tenants can continue suffering poor housing conditions and be evicted when they complain. Helping landlords lord it over tenants was also a feature of Oswald Mosley's BUF as highlighted in Phil Piratin's book Our Flag Stays Red.
Val
2026-04-22 09:48:10
This shows a complete failure to understand what Reform themselves have already voted for! Nearly everything they mention has been comprehensively set out in the latest Budget of Dan Swords administration, including: • full details of the financing and grants for the regeneration projects shown to be sound and signed off by the senior Finance Officer •Full details of the Council's house building programme with Harlow homes for Harlow families.The first major council hose building programme in over 30 years. •Town wide improvements to play areas, sports and leisure facilities. •increased investment in discretionary services like Pets corner, Museum, splash parks, etc. Furthermore, both they and Labour voted for the Budget of the local Conservatives without question. Clearly, had they actually read the Budget they voted for they would know that everything they mention is already addressed! So much for their so-called scrutiny! They are not serious. On other points, Business Rates are set by central government not the Council, again showing they do not know how local government works. Their whole proposition shows they have not done any real due diligence and are completely unfit to run our council. Furthermore, given the mathematics, it is impossible for them to win control of the council in May so all of there claims are redundant. It is just as well they posted this so that people are left in no doubt that they are totally incompetent and represent a real risk to the progress being made by Dan Swords team.
David Forman
2026-04-22 09:53:42
Val, thanks for mentioning that Business Rates are set by central Government. I forgot to say that, but I was obviously keen to develop the narrow minded nationalist angle.
John
2026-04-22 09:57:44
An excellent post by Val. It is pretty obvious that Reform are offering nothing new; in fact they are offering nothing other than disrupting the regeneration programme. How can they propose to change the terms of agreements they haven't even seen in detail and what about the other party to the agreement? All contracts have had rigorous legal, financial and project scrutiny. A bunch of untrained, unqualified Reform amateurs will only muddy the waters and hinder progress. I am sticking with Dan Swords proven team. Harlow cannot risk losing the momentum that San Swords has set.
Paul
2026-04-22 10:10:17
This post by Reform is so stupid and worthless. Everything they mention is already fully set out in the Harlow 2026/27 Budget of Dan Swords team and was VOTED FOR BY REFORM!!! Don't they even read what they are voting for? How can you trust them to be involved? Clueless !! See below for link to the Budget: https://www.harlow.gov.uk/news/record-350-million-budget-unveiled-council-tax-freeze
Yvonne
2026-04-22 10:26:58
Over a week ago I asked Scott Hegley, Harlow Reform leader, to set out Reform's specific plans for Harlow. He promised to get back to me the same day. It has taken them a week to come up with this nonsense. Everything they mention relating to Harlow is not new at all. In fact all of it is already extensive covered in the 2026/27 Budget of Dan Swords team - Budget that REFORM VOTED FOR! Don't they even read or know what they are voting on? Not a good omen to say the least. They sound clueless. You can see full details of the Budget that they voted for at: Over a week ago I asked Scott Hegley to set out Reform's specific plans for Harlow. He promised to get back to me the same day. It has taken them a week to come up with this nonsense. Everything they mention relating to Harlow is not new at all. In fact all of it is already extensive covered in the 2026/27 Budget of Dan Swords team - Budget that REFORM VOTED FOR! Don't they even read or know what they are voting on? Not a good omen to say the least. They sound clueless. You can see full details of the Budget that they voted for at: https://www.harlow.gov.uk/news/record-350-million-budget-unveiled-council-tax-freeze
AB
2026-04-22 10:44:28
Reform Ltd, financed by billionaires, are dangerous populist offering simple answers to complicated questions, and the final destruction of the NHS. They are best avoided.
Steve
2026-04-22 10:57:48
They have shown they lack knowledge of local government and experience to undertake the regeneration. They would be a huge risk. Harlow has waited decades for change; it is now happening. I am sticking with Dan Swords and the local conservatives. Too much at stake.
Rosalind
2026-04-22 11:16:20
Before considering a vote for Reform, check the performance of Reform run councils like Northamptonshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire, etc where all the rhetoric about tax cuts, improved efficiency, etc has not materialised. Tax has increased, no measurable savings or efficiencies have been achieved and their inexperience has caused constant confusion and infighting including numerous resignations, expulsions and suspensions. In Nottinghamshire, they spent £ 75,000 on flags! Their track record does not match their promises. Harlow would be no different. They talk the talk but don't walk the walk.
Scott H
2026-04-22 11:40:32
Above we see a sad roll-call of the familiar, hardcore Reform UK-haters. Thankfully they only represent their own prejudices. By contrast, our great Harlow voters will base their ballots on their own circumstances, values, observations and judgements.
Ron
2026-04-22 11:53:50
Yes, Scott Hegley, I am sure that Harlow voters will exercise sound judgment and stick with Dan Swords team. As the above posts show, you guys don't even know what you voted for. You are incompetent.
Mike
2026-04-22 12:06:45
Basically, Reform's Scott Hegley is asking us to swap a Dan Swords top of the line Range Rover for a Scott Hegley clapped out Del Boy three wheel Reliant van with no MOT! Well you know what you can do with that Scott. Take a hike!
Brian
2026-04-22 12:27:23
Scott Hegley goes on about what Reform will do, but let's have a reality check that even Scott can't deny (unless he is doing a Keir Starmer impersonation). Last year Paul Jago was elected as a Reform councillor. In all that time he has not uttered a single word in the Council Chamber meetings ... nothing, no debate, no comments or questions In fact he has silently voted for every Conservative motion including the Budget (as already mentioned above by others). So Scott Hegley, please tell us all what great added-value Reform will bring judging by the experience so far. Do we really need more cardboard cutout councillors doing so-called 'scrutiny' of something they have already voted? Reform talks about 'cutting waste, well not voting for them would avoid waste in the first place!
Julia
2026-04-22 12:52:05
Scott Hegley your disparaging comments of legitimate criticism do not reflect well on you. Many of the criticisms are factually correct and true and cannot be dismissed as 'prejudice'. Your arrogance is exceeded only by your ignorance.
Mark
2026-04-22 13:11:15
Ok julia, if answering criticism does Scott no favours, perhaps you prefer the behaviour of Dan Swords - who hates criticism so much that if you ask him a question on Facebook, he ignores you and blocks you. I have an inbox full of people complaining about him. Brian, I'm afraid you are wrong too. Paul has both spoken and asked questions at Full Council. As have numerous other Reform members from the audience. You clearly don't understand that to move anything at Full Council you need a proposer and a seconder. Impossible if you a single member.
Yvonne
2026-04-22 13:48:29
Mark you fail to see the incoherence of this post regarding questioning/ scrutiny of the finances, investment in council homes, new builds, investment in play areas, etc, etc. As has been stated, all these are dealt with comprehensively in the Budget, which your Councillor Paul Jago voted for unquestioningly. So what are you going to scrutinise when you have already done so as you voted for it. Your plan - if it can called one - has no logic and no purpose and highlights that Reform offers nothing new and no improvements. In short, Reform adds no value in Harlow.
Grace
2026-04-22 14:30:03
Reform in Harlow offer nothing different and don't have the experience or skills. Plus they cannot win control under any circumstances. The track records of councils controlled by Reform is poor. We should stay with Dan Swords local Conservatives who are doing very good job.
Maureen
2026-04-22 14:34:35
Reform's leader doesn't even live Harlow and is not standing for the District. So we are being asked to vote a party with no real plans and no leader! Not viable or credible.
Carolyn
2026-04-22 15:23:19
Mark, I have never a local election in Harlow like this with so much enthusiasm for a council leader. I am active in a number of community groups and Dan Swords is truly appreciated. Many of us have sympathy for Reform nationally, but this local and about Harlow and the Dan Swords team are doing an impressive job and deserve the widespread support.
Trudie
2026-04-22 15:33:33
If anyone thinks regeneration just happens, read this statement by the CEO of M&S on the deal signed with Harlow Council: Because I negotiated the deal with them. Here is what their Chief Executive said: Commenting on the agreement, Stuart Machin, CEO of M&S, said: “We are delighted to confirm we have signed an agreement on terms for a new state of the art Marks and Spencer store in Harlow. “The proactive steps taken by Dan Swords and his colleagues to attract new investment in Harlow and demonstrate the growth prospects for the area have been pivotal in our decision. “We look forward to creating 200-300 new jobs and a fantastic store bringing food and fashion to the area and supporting the Council in its work to renew Harlow.” I am sure these sentiments will be shared by other companies considering a base in Harlow. Success attracts success. Well done to Dan Swords. This the best and most visionary administration Harlow has had in living memory.
Pete
2026-04-22 16:21:23
Grace, Reform could be the party with the most seats ie 11. If a few tories cross over they could gain control.
John
2026-04-22 17:14:31
Pete, nobody in the local Conservatives is likely to want any leader other than Dan Swords. No one in Labour or Reform could match the quality of the current Cabinet. The numbers are not there for Reform to lead under any plausible circumstances. The Leader has to be voted by a majority of Full Council. It would be chaos for no perceived benefit to Harlow. Much better to continue with the Local Conservatives and Dan Swords. This ensures stability, experience and progress.
Martin
2026-04-22 17:23:01
The main article highlights clearly that Reform do not understand the workings of local government and that they have no new plans. In fact they have already agreed that Dan Swords administration is the most competent otherwise they wouldn't so meekly supported and for voted for the Budget which is the key policy enabler for everything. Reform brings nothing.
Pete
2026-04-22 17:31:15
John, I don't want Reform in, I was merely stating the situation as it is. If Reform win all the Harlow seats they could have 12 seats (I said 11, that was wrong). There are probably tory councillors with reform tendencies, we saw that 2 years ago in Church Langley. Would they choose loyalty over power, dare I suggest that loyalty isn't a strong trait in national torys. And didn't Dan have a coup against Andrew Johnson? There does seem to be a wave of support for the our local conservatives which I sincerely hope will lead to them increasing their majority in Harlow
voteforme
2026-04-22 17:35:49
How much will these elections cost, please?
Boris
2026-04-22 17:45:03
Dan publicly promised to freeze council tax a few years back, a promise he kept, Reform state, not very clearly, that their average council tax rise is 3.94%. Yeah, lets vote for that! Still they haven't mentioned bus lanes in this, article, substituted by bike lanes perhaps.
Grace
2026-04-22 18:27:14
Boris, based on Reform's post they would not add anything and would spend the next 18 months learning the job. We have time for that. This is not really about politics but rather sound administration and management to execute and complete the job. Dan Swords team have shown that they can do it. No need to rock the boat. Stick with what is working.
Ian
2026-04-22 21:21:50
Harlow cannot afford to let these Reform chancers disrupt all the regeneration progress.
Carolyn
2026-04-22 22:42:30
So we want Labour or Reform to screw up all the regeneration work being carried out by the Dan Swords team? That is the question. Let's not risk a total mess and stick with Dan and his team. Let them finish the job for the sake of Harlow.
Colin
2026-04-22 22:49:31
The local leader of Harlow Reform, Scott Hegley doesn't come close to fitting Dan Swords boots. He is so out of his league and offers nothing for our town . The guy is a clown running a third rate circus team. Just not serious.
Eileen Dover
2026-04-22 22:52:28
Team Dan Swords. Only the really stupid will vote for Reform.
Ria
2026-04-23 08:34:50
Team Dan!!!!!!!!! These group look like they are just a bunch of trouble makers with no clue, and seeing that Dan L is up there . . Is that some kind of joke ??? LOL
Mike
2026-04-23 15:27:33
Ria, no clue describes the Reform team exactly.
Phil
2026-04-23 16:40:30
All the Tories are out in force again, I see!! You lot really the most boring bunch of fear-mongers I've ever had the displeasure to read. Every single Reform post has the same few Tories complaining about the same tired arguments. Your arguments about Reform being inexperienced is irrelevant. Everybody starts somewhere. What do you actually know about any of the Reform candidates for the Harlow wards? I'll assume nothing, you're just spouting your usual "They're racists" nonsense. There are business owners large and small within the ranks, so please dont assume that Reform know nothing about leadership. That's just your fear of change exposing itself!
Surinder
2026-04-23 17:38:45
Phil, you like your colleagues are wrong. You have not read the Harlow Budget ( which Reform voted for without question) and it seems neither have the Reform candidates otherwise it would become apparent even to them that there so called plan for Harlow is wholly redundant and is more than covered by the Dan Swords administration. I can understand some of the attractions of Reform in a national General Election, but not locally. Their post demonstrates abject ignorance of what local government does and how to manage a programme of this scale. Harlow cannot afford to be a guinea pig for these amateurs. Furthermore, you have local leader in Scott Hegley who consistently trivializes the complex and complicates the obvious. Reform are not up to the task. Just go and read the Budget, which Reform already voted for.
Me, Harlow
2026-04-23 18:45:06
Nothing very exciting, original or innovative is it? I have a feeling it was somewhat rushed. Blah blah blah. Oh, ha, just remembered there was once a political party with Captain Sensible, the Blah! Party. Maybe they should come back.
Me, Harlow
2026-04-23 18:48:08
Phil - Reform is a party that was born out of racism and extreme views. So if it walks like a duck, sounds like a duck then..... or perhaps in the case of the leader Farage, it should be a goose?
Frank
2026-04-23 19:21:35
They won’t get my vote as Dan Swords is rebuilding Harlow after years of decline, however Reform do talk sense about HMOs. Too many people leaving prison and the probation service are sending them to Harlows HMOs. They have one large HMO company on fast dial
Nigel F
2026-04-23 22:13:40
Phil's comments sound like he is intellectually challenged. It is obvious that Reform has nothing to offer that will be an improvement. In fact, he himself admits that the whole process will have to grind to a halt whilst any new Reform councillors learn what is going on. Can't you see Phil that that is not acceptable and is not a way to run a serious regeneration programme? To think that will be an improvement on what we have sounds totally retarded.
Reform for harlow
2026-04-25 17:33:47
Interesting to see the usual pile-on from the same voices, but it does not change the facts. Reform Harlow are being attacked for asking fair questions about regeneration, spending, business rates, housing and local services. That is not “incompetence” — that is scrutiny. Scrutiny is exactly what councillors are elected to do. The real arrogance is telling residents they should simply accept everything from the current administration without challenge. Harlow has waited decades for proper regeneration, and residents have every right to ask who is paying, what has been signed, what the risks are, what happens if costs rise, and whether the town centre is truly being protected. As for the claim that Reform “voted for the budget”, that does not mean Reform signed a blank cheque for every decision, every contract, every priority and every political boast that follows. Councillors can support parts of a budget while still challenging waste, poor decisions, weak delivery and lack of transparency. The personal attacks are telling. Instead of answering Reform’s points, some people resort to calling people stupid, clueless, amateurs, dangerous, or comparing them to extremists. That is not debate — it is panic. Local Reform councillors are there to represent residents, ask awkward questions, challenge cosy council politics and make sure Harlow people are not ignored. If the current administration is so confident in its record, it should welcome scrutiny rather than sneer at it. Harlow does not belong to one party, one council leader, or one group of online cheerleaders. It belongs to the people who live, work and pay taxes here. Reform will keep asking questions. Reform will keep challenging. Reform will keep standing up for residents who are tired of being told to sit down, shut up and trust the same political class that helped oversee Harlow’s decline in the first place.
Phil
2026-04-26 00:29:51
@Nigel F. All you have is name calling so I guess you 'almost' completed secondary school. Calling somebody retarded because they have a different point of view to you is, well, erm, retarded if we're to take your mature tone. Get a grip of yourself and grow up. Where did I say things would grind to a halt? Are you Tories that scared of the rest of us discovering that Dan Swords and his mob have drained the accounts that you insist on them being allowed free reign to continue?! I guess the joke is on you?
Eli
2026-04-26 13:05:44
Phil and Reform for Harlow, you are both ignorant. Full accounts, investment, debt financing, regeneration costs have all been laid out in the Budget, which Reform voted for!!!!! So what are you going to scrutinise when you have already supported it? As I said, you fail miserably. Furthermore, Business Rates are not set by the Council but by central government! How do you expect people to vote for a party for Council that doesn't understand the most basic aspects ? Jokers!!! You embarrass yourselves.
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