Nigel Farage praises 'incredible' Lib Dem comeback strategy on Cornwall visit

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Reform leader Nigel Farage has told ITV West Country he is drawing inspiration from way in which the Liberal Democrats are organised ahead of local council elections later this year.

On a visit to Cornwall he paid tribute to their strength and ability to "do a good job and care about the area".

Mr Farage attended a rally at Carn Brea Leisure Centre in Redruth, and was full of praise for the way his political rivals organise themselves on a local level.

He said: “They are incredible, they get into coalition Government, they completely collapse, they are written off by everybody and they come back up again.

“The strength of the Liberal Democrats is in their branches, getting people elected to local councils and do a good job and care about the area.

“The weakness I would say are their national policies, but that’s because I am on a different side. I have great admiration for the way they target wards and constituencies. We have learnt a lot from the Liberal Democrats, and they would probably be horrified to hear me say that.”

Protestors outside Carn Brea ahead of the Reform conference

Separately, Mr Farage claimed the conference had been marred by violence against some of his supporters outside the venue.

He said protestors had wanted the leisure centre to stop the conference. He also claimed that there was violence against at least one of his supporters who allegedly had a tooth knocked out.

Mr Farage said: “Given the local police were contacted in advance, I will be writing to the Acting Chief Constable.”

Shortly after Mr Farage arrived at the venue officers moved the protestors away from the main entrance to the building.

In one post on social media a group claiming to represent the protestors said: "Reform have no interest in helping ordinary working people. Our services aren't collapsing because of refugees, they're collapsing due to years of underfunding while the rich just get richer."

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “There was some minor pushing and shoving on both sides. Police were on the scene but it was not a violent protest.”

Reform says it plans to stand in all wards at the Cornwall Council election in May, a total of 87 candidates, and all of them will be closely vetted according to Mr Farage.