Lee Anderson reveals 'key targets' as Reform UK expect bricks to fall from Red Wall

Reform UK MP Lee Anderson has revealed the populist party's key target areas ahead of the 2025 Local Elections.

Anderson, who retained Ashfield after defecting from the Tories, predicted a number of Reform UK gains across the so-called Red Wall as he pushed for a ruthless campaign across Leave-voting Labour-held seats.

The Red Wall was identified following Boris Johnson's thumping victory in 2019.

However, Labour picked up 34 out of 36 Red Wall seats it had lost in 2019 on July 4.

Sir Keir Starmer only managed to increase Labour's vote share by three per cent but Tory support slumped by 23 per cent.

Reform UK marginally trailed the Tories across the Red Wall, with 22 per cent backing the populist party and 24 per cent keeping faith in Rishi Sunak.

Addressing how Reform UK could look to conquer the Red Wall, Anderson told GB News: "We have to consider the seats that we won in the last election.

"My seat in particular in the Red Wall but the other MPs seats as well. But throughout the Red Wall you see places where we came second.

"We should be chucking our money and resources into these areas because I am pretty sure in May next year when we have council elections we will win lots of seats."

He added: "It's a simple message; we are listening to you. The other parties aren't listening. The subject of migration comes up time and time again.

"I get a little bit sick talking about it but I have to because it's the number one issue in my inbox. The other parties completely ignore the people in the Red Wall, especially in places like Ashfield.

"For donkey's years people have voted to cap immigration and the other parties go totally against that."

"Labour's majority is built on sand. I was the only Red Wall MP to retain my seat. It's not rocket science, is it?

"Just look at the way we campaigned in Ashfield and the message we put out there and I am sure we can pick up seats next May."

Reform UK's leader Nigel Farage will know winning over support in the Red Wall will prove crucial if his ambition to become Prime Minister is to be fulfilled in 2029.

Farage, 60, who broke his electoral hoodoo to enter the House of Commons on his eighth attempt on July 4, appeared to set his sights on Downing Street yesterday.

He said: "We can win the next general election just with the numbers of people that agree with our principles."

Speaking to GB News, Farage added: "I've never lived through a moment in my life where there has been such absolute disappointment and disillusionment with the two parties."

Chairman Zia Yusuf also echoed Farage's hope of Reform UK entering power in 2024.

After setting out how the populist party is modernising to win more seats, Yusuf told delegates: “By 2029, Reform UK will be ready to be the party of Government and a Prime Minister Farage will embark on the most ambitious and bold reforms this country has seen in our lifetimes.

“Now we have been told by the sceptics that we cannot achieve this. The same cynics said we could never escape the vice-like grip of the European Union. They said we could never win any parliamentary seats.

“Nigel Farage has already proven those doubters wrong in the way that only he can… The indomitable spirit of the British people will prevail.”

Reform UK received 4.1 million votes on July 4, picking up Ashfield, Boston & Skegness, Clacton, Great Yarmouth and South Basildon & East Thurrock.

Anderson's victory in Ashfield saw the ex-coal miner open up a 5,509-vote majority, increasing his personal vote share by 3.5 per cent since 2019.

Nottinghamshire is one of the major counties holding elections in 2025, with Essex, Norfolk and Lincolnshire also being contested.

Red Wall battlegrounds include Derbyshire, Doncaster, County Durham, Lancashire and North Tyneside.