Reform will bring entrepreneurial flair - Farage

Nigel Farage has said Reform UK would bring "entrepreneurial flair and spirit" to Doncaster if the party's candidate became mayor.

Alexander Jones hopes to replace Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones following next month's mayoral election.

The party leader said: "The one thing Alexander brings is entrepreneurial flair."

A total of 12 candidates have been confirmed as standing for the role on 1 May.

Mr Jones directs a support service for traders who buy and sell different currencies to make a profit.

According to Companies House, the company has been dormant for significant periods since it was incorporated in 2021.

Farage appeared at a press conference in Doncaster earlier, sitting between Jones and former Doncaster Rovers owner John Ryan, who backed the party's mayoral candidate.

Farage also said retaliatory tariffs would be "absolutely counter productive in every way" for the UK following US President Donald Trump's imposition of the taxes.

He said he believed the global tariff policy was part of a wider negotiation strategy by the US president.

He said: "It'll look different in three months' time. He'll use it as a big negotiating tool. I think we're better positioned to come out of this with a deal than almost any other country.

"So, short term it's painful, but what it does do, it expose the fact that not being in the European Union does have advantages and ones that we ought to use."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, businessman Mr Ryan appeared to have already endorsed a Labour candidate in the Bessacarr ward of Doncaster.

Election literature for Lee Mulholland included a quote from Mr Ryan which said: "I see the great work Lee has done for the area where I grew up – keep it up!"

Reform has fielded three candidates in the ward.

A spokesperson for the party said: "Mr Mulholland is an employee of John Ryan, and these comments were made in relation to his work."

A Labour spokesperson said Mr Ryan had agreed over the phone to endorse Mr Lee's candidacy, but not the party more broadly.

Full list of candidates standing to be Mayor of Doncaster:

Frank Calladine - British Democratic Party

Nick Fletcher – Conservative Party

Alexander Jones – Reform UK

Ros Jones – Labour Party

Andrew Walmsley – Yorkshire Party

David Bettney - Social Democratic Party

Julie Buckley - Green Party

Andy Hiles - Trade Union and Socialist Coalition

Ahsan Jamil – Workers Party of Britain

Mihai Melenciuc – Liberal Democrats

Richie Vallance - Independent

Doug Wright – Independent

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North