“You can’t fix the system with the same hands that broke it,” Richie Vallance proclaimed through a megaphone from his mobility scooter. He rallied for reinvigorating Doncaster Southwest, encouraging passersby, yet met with scarce enthusiasm.
Vallance is an independent candidate for the upcoming local elections on the 1st of May, where all 55 council seats are at stake. The contest is particularly significant for Doncaster, testing Labour’s standing amidst the rising popularity of Reform UK.
The Brexit party, led by Nigel Farage, is leading in the polls; in Doncaster, they are in pole position to oust the Labour party after nearly half a century in control. A recent poll by Electoral Calculus for The Telegraph indicated Reform could secure 32 of the council’s 55 seats.
“It’s a beautiful town, with so much potential,” said Vallance, who has shown sympathy towards Reform and considered standing for the party. He emphasized the need to address immigration concerns in Doncaster.
Immigration was a prevalent concern among the locals; many expressed mixed feelings about its impact, specifically regarding asylum seekers. Home Office statistics indicate 688 asylum seekers are housed in Doncaster.
A local resident commented, “I know they have to be put somewhere but Doncaster has changed, and it’s not for the better.” This sentiment aligns with Reform’s stance and possibly contributed to Farage’s visit to back their mayoral candidate.
Despite general dissatisfaction with Reform, Labour also faced criticism. The current mayor, Labour’s Ros Jones, shoulders the weight of austerity-induced budget cuts, yet has managed to maintain low council tax rates and protect core services.
Jones combatted the local authority’s once-tarnished reputation when it was labeled the “worst council in Britain.” Her efforts led to the removal of special measures, although the label has stuck.
Labour also faces a challenge in brand recognition, with locals unfamiliar with names such as Keir Starmer. The party’s standing could be threatened since Reform’s Farage is equally unrecognized.
A trio of friends at the Frenchgate shopping centre acknowledged their limited knowledge of the political parties but concurred with the anti-immigrant policies promoted by Reform, which worried by the preferential treatment of asylum seekers compared to British citizens.
A major concern for all parties is the voter turnout; many residents of Doncaster expressed a lack of interest in the elections, indicating a general political disillusionment.
Safety concerns were raised by Naomi Nache from Romania and Michael Yip from Scunthorpe, residents of Doncaster who experience the town’s limitations, including insufficient artistic and cultural offerings and safety issues.
Vallance, himself not immune to controversy, has previously dressed as the “Donny Klown” to highlight social issues. He withdraws his past actions and now focuses on exposing the “real clowns” through constructive engagement.
