Reform’s civil war over plans to plough £190m of public money into reopening a “Red Wall” airport has resulted in death threats, resignations, and the risk of a council going bankrupt – ahead of a key meeting next week over the project’s future.
Doncaster Sheffield airport (DSA) closed in 2022 after landowner Peel Group determined it was no longer commercially viable.
Labour leaders have backed a plan to reopen it using taxpayer cash despite warnings from experts the airport may not be financially viable. They include the veteran mayor of Doncaster City Council, Ros Jones, and the Mayor of South Yorkshire, Oliver Coppard.
Now, Reform UK councillors are threatening to “kill off” the project by rescinding their approval of a £57m loan needed to get the airport open by 2028.
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The World Health Organisation has warned of the risks associated with the us of sweeteners (Photo: Getty)
Environment
How climate change could put tea drinkers in hot water
The familiar taste of tea may turn bitter as climate change disrupts harvests and makes it harder to achieve consistent flavours, campaigners have warned. A Christian Aid report also warns that a warming world could cause the price of a cuppa to spike.
“As climate variability increases, achieving that consistency becomes more challenging, Dr Neha Mittal from the Met Office said.
What does the report say?
Rising temperatures and worsening weather extremes in countries such as Kenya, India and Sri Lanka could make tea more bitter and harsher, researchers say.
The issue is also hitting close to home, with tea growers in the UK warning that it is making it much harder to achieve consistent flavours .
Climate-induced disruptions to harvests could cause price spikes and unreliable supplies .
The rising price of fertiliser and fuel as a result of the US-Iran war is also expected to hit tea producers.
ENVIRONMENT
3 min read
Supporting farmers
Tea production relies on stable temperature and rainfall conditions, which are shifting in producer nations. Optimal growth conditions sit within a narrow range of between 13°C and 30°C and with adequate but not excessive rainfall.
Caption: FUZHOU, CHINA – MARCH 29: Farmers harvest celery in the fields as the area enters the harvest season on March 29, 2026 in Fuqing, Fujian Province of China. (Photo by Xie Guiming/VCG via Getty Images)
Photographer: VCG
Provider: VCG via Getty Images
Source: Visual China Group
It’s raining heavily, wearing an umbrella during the rainy season – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
The flavour and quality of tea depends on a balance of compounds such as catechins, amino acids and polyphenols, the report said. However, higher temperatures increase the production of more astringent compounds while reducing sweetness – leading to a more bitter taste.
The expert view
For generations, consumers have taken for granted that a cup of tea will taste the same, day in, day out. But that consistency depends on a stable climate, and that stability is now breaking down. What we are seeing is the beginning of a shift towards a harsher brew
Claire Nasike Akello, climate adaptation and resilience lead at Christian Aid
(Photo: Matthew Vincent/PA Wire)
NEWS
Who won big at the Bafta TV Awards 2026
Caption: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – MAY 10, 2026: Owen Cooper attends the BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises at the Royal Festival Hall in London, United Kingdom on May 10, 2026. (Photo credit should read Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Photographer: Wiktor Szymanowicz
Provider: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publis
Source: Future Publishing
Copyright: ? 2026 Wiktor Szymanowicz
The winners of this year’s Bafta Television Awards have been announced in London, with Netflix drama Adolescence emerging as the big winner.
The hard-hitting four-part series was named best limited series. Owen Cooper, who played central character Jamie in his acting debut, became the youngest ever winner of the award for best supporting actor aged 16.
A look at key winners
Caption: LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 10: Stephen Graham, Christine Tremarco, Hannah Walters, Owen Cooper, Ashley Walters and Erin Doherty with the Limited Drama Award for Adolescence during the BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises 2026 at The Royal Festival Hall on May 10, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Photographer: Karwai Tang
Provider: WireImage
Source: WireImage
Copyright: 2026 Karwai Tang
Leading actor: Stephen Graham – Adolescence (Netflix)
Leading actress: Narges Rashidi – Prisoner 951 (BBC One)
Supporting actor: Owen Cooper – Adolescence (Netflix)
Supporting actress: Christine Tremarco – Adolescence (Netflix)
Interview
6 min read
More small screen winners
Drama series: Code of Silence (ITV1)
Limited drama: Adolescence (Netflix)
Scripted comedy: Amandaland (BBC One)
Best comedy actor: Steve Coogan – How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge) (BBC One)
Best comedy actress: Katherine Parkinson – Here We Go (BBC One)
FILM
4 min read
New Bafta record
Among the other winners were The Celebrity Traitors, EastEnders and comedy series Last One Laughing. The Celebrity Traitors and Last One Laughing each picked up two awards, while Adolescence set a record for the most Bafta victories in a single night.
In the International category, Apple TV+’s The Studio featuring Seth Rogan triumphed over fellow nominees Severance, Sky’s The White Lotus and Disney+’s The Bear.
Caption: LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 10: Alan Carr with the P&O Cruises Memorable Moment Award for The Celebrity Traitors during the 2026 BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises at The Royal Festival Hall on May 10, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA)
Photographer: Stuart Wilson/BAFTA
Provider: Getty Images for BAFTA
Source: BAFTA
Copyright: 2026 Getty Images
Caption: Ike Barinholtz, Seth Rogen and Chase Sui Wonders at the 2026 BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises held at Royal Festival Hall on May 10, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Zak Hussein/Variety via Getty Images)
Photographer: Variety
Provider: Variety via Getty Images
Source: Variety
Inside the race to replace Keir Starmer
When Angela Rayner finally commented in the wake of Labour’s election humiliation, it was a brutal takedown of Sir Keir Starmer’s record.
“What we are doing isn’t working, and it needs to change. This may be our last chance,” she declared.
OPINION
6 min read
Analysis
4 min read
Rayner sets out demands
The former deputy prime minister called on Starmer to end a “toxic culture of cronyism” and to allow the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, to return to Westminster. Then she set out a left-wing shopping list of demands.
Caption: LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 9: Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks to media as he reacts to the local Council Election results at AFC Wimbledon on May 9, 2026 in London, England. In response to what is being seen as a disastrous set of results for Labour in the 2026 Local Elections Starmer says “the local election results do not mean tacking left or right; but mean we must bring together a broad political movement, one that is assertive in its values and bold in its vision. (Photo by Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images)
Photographer: Alishia Abodunde
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images Europe
Labour MP Angela Rayner (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
Her demands include taxing the wealthy, cutting household costs, ending the freehold system, raising the minimum wage, giving regional mayors more powers over planning and licensing and boosting community ownership.
Damp local elections for Labour
Rayner’s comments follow a damp set of local election results for Labour, as MPs openly debated whether there should be an immediate leadership contest.
MPs who had been previously loyal, in public and in private, were beginning to say on Sunday that they would lend Rayner support for a challenge.
Sir Keir Starmer will deliver a key speech this morning after devastating local election results last week (Photo: AFP)
POLITICS
4 min read
Dozens of MPs call for Starmer to step down
Josh Simons, previously a Starmer loyalist, said the Prime Minister had “lost the country”.
Labour’s leader in Scotland, Anas Sarwar, blamed a “national wave” against Labour for his party’s defeat in the Holyrood election.
Labour left-wingers fear that a stalking horse candidate would boost Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s chances of becoming PM, with Burnham barred from standing until he becomes an MP.
Exclusive
7 min read
How to fake your way to being organised
Do you have your life together? Is your home tidy and clutter-free; your diary neatly colour-coded; your to-do list full of satisfying ticks?
If these questions feel like a personal attack don’t worry. We asked the put-together experts for their secrets.
Get to know your brain
The real magic is rarely in the system but in how your brain likes to work.
If you love analytical tasks, try making spreadsheets.
Set reminders for the things you usually forget.
Use the Notes app for the ideas you think of in the shower but never remember when you get to do it.
But if you are more likely to structure your day around how you’re feeling, a calendar isn’t the best option.
How to fake your way to organisation
Cropped image of senior woman putting car key in ignition lock – stock photo. (Photo: Kentaroo Tryman/ Getty)
Make it easier
If you hate folding, change your storage style. If you’re always forgetting your keys, put a sign by your door.
Make a launch pad
Keep a small tray or basket in the hallway for your can’t-leave-home-without essentials.
Two young children wearing school uniforms exit their front door – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Mid adult businesswoman using phone and laptop for work from home. – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Use technology
After meetings use an AI tool to note down what you have to remember as a brain dump.
Create new habits
The one-touch rule
If you put your shoes straight on the rack as you take them off, instead of kicking them onto the floor and moving them later, that’s one touch. If you hang things up rather than tossing them onto the ‘bedroom chair’ it’s another one-touch win.
A woman with one foot is searching for an amputee to share shoes with – so her two bin bags full of unwanted right foot size six shoes don’t go to waste. (Photo: Emma Henson/ SWNS)
Full length of mid adult man doing chores in kitchen at home – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Talk to yourself out loud
This verbal anchor helps you remember what you have decided to do and cuts down on mental drift.
The 300-second challenge
Caption: Millennial black lady vacuuming floor while her husband watching TV, not helping her with household duties, cropped view. Unrecognizable young couple having problem with domestic chores
Photographer: Prostock-Studio
Provider: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Source: iStockphoto
Give yourself five minutes to deal with one overdue chore or task.
Using seconds rather than minutes creates urgency and gives your brain a novelty hit.
Try it when putting the laundry away, making a phone call or reading an overdue email.
LIFESTYLE
9 min read
Make it easier for yourself
Use completion cues
Drop a marble in a jar or move a sticky note across a board each time you complete a task.
To do list – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
It is the perfect time to enjoy an afternoon nap in your own home (Photo: Malte Mueller/Getty/fStop)
Support your future
Write down where you left off and the next small task to tackle to strengthen your control over every day demands.
Ask for help
Consider seeking support from loved ones, neighbours, colleagues, community groups or professionals.
‘Everyone who comes to see me assumes I am hard-up, so they either bring me gifts and treats, or if we go out together, they always insist on paying’ (Photo: Getty)
Eight tips for
combating loneliness
Ree Young, works for Mind mental health charity as a ‘befriender’ – this means working with people aged 50 and over in the city of Leeds – who may be struggling with social isolation or loneliness.
Young advises these people on how to get social, even when you don’t want to. Here are her tips.
How to combat loneliness
Social isolation affects us all
27%
of adults reported they felt lonely always, often or some of the time in data published by the Office for National Statistics in 2024.
7%
reported that they felt lonely always or often.
How to combat loneliness
Running might not seem like the most appealing hobby, but if you give it a try, you might be surprised (Photo: EMS-FORSTER-PRODUCTIONS/Getty/Digital Vision/ems-forster-productions)
Stay socially active
Check out what’s going on at your local community centre or learn something new to make connections.
Use technology
Look up old friends online, or use video-call features to connect with those who don’t live nearby.
FaceTiming on an iPad or iPhone is a simple method of video calling (Photo: Getty)
Woman learning to knit with friends in cafe – stock photo. (Photo: Compassionate Eye Foundation/David Oxberry/ Getty)
Get creative
Why not learn how to crochet, write short stories, plant a herb garden or play the ukulele in a group?
Adopt a pet
They can provide companionship, a listening ear and a structured routine. They can be good listeners and stroking them can make us feel calmer and more at ease. Even the smallest pets, like fish, can bring us joy and a sense of purpose.
REE YOUNG, BEFRIENDER
(Photo: fotostorm/Getty Images/E+)
How to tackle loneliness
Join a death cafe
They are safe and inclusive spaces for people to be curious about death in a supportive environment.
Portrait of senior male cafe owner at front counter – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Hay fever can be incredibly disruptive (Photo: Science Photo Library/Getty)
Try citizen science
It’s a great way to feel part of a community, while also contributing to worthwhile initiatives.
Explore your faith
Try attending services if spiritual practices are important to you. They can offer strong support networks and open doors to new people.
Caption: Richard Loynes, with the leaning church of Dry Doddington, Nottinghamshire, also known as St James Church. April 14, 2026. // England’s wonkiest church which has a spire which leans more than the Leaning Tower of Pisa is in vital need of ??100,000 repairs to save its future – but have refused to correct the angle of its famous tower. The spire of St James’ Church in the countryside village of Dry Doddington, Lincs., tilts at 5.1 degrees compared to the 3.99 degrees of its Italian counterpart over 1,000 miles away. Villagers consider the Grade II-listed building “Britain’s answer to The Leaning Tower of Pisa” but there are now concerns for its future as it is need of essential repairs. Tourists often travel to snap photos next to the historic tilting place of worship, which has now launched a fundraiser to raise another ??100,000 11 years after it underwent ??100,000 of renovation work to save its tower. The 12th century church was built originally as a ???Chapel of Ease??? for older residents to attend church rather than walking to a neighbouring village. The tower, dating from the 14th century, is believed to have first shifted in the late 19th century and was underpinned in 1918 to prevent it from tilting any further. Church warden Richard Loynes said: “The church is very much part of the village and we’re proud of its uniqueness.??? Photo released 15/04/2026
Photographer: Tom Maddick / SWNS
Provider: Tom Maddick / SWNS
Source: Tom Maddick / SWNS
Seek professional help
If you are unsure what support is available, speak to your GP. Research local charities and find out what services they have to offer, and try accessing local befriending, group or peer-support services.
There is nothing shameful about asking for help.
The Government must prioritise targeted investment in mental health services, preventative programmes to stop people’s health worsening – including public health funding across the North, a report said. (Photo: Alamy/PA)
Female psychiatrist discussing with mid adult woman during therapy session – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
The six reasons your partner might cheat
Cheating is still the number one cause of divorce, and one in five Brits admit to doing it.
But what are the main drivers of infidelity?
‘If she feels unappreciated by me, sex is off the agenda,’ says the reader (Photo: Getty)
Why your partner might cheat
They want a way out
Sex and relationship therapist Cate Campbell says exit affairs are one of the three “big reasons” she sees.
Fear of commitment
This often happens when a person doesn’t feel good about themselves, or have a fear of being found out.
‘Fathers, it seems, are still expected to put work first and family second’ (Photo: Getty Images)
Senior husband and wife having relationship difficulties – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
A mid-life crisis
Transitions like moving house, new jobs or becoming parents makes cheating more common.
Why your partner might cheat
They’re getting too close to a colleague
This dynamic is usually an unhappy man who confides in a woman in a work context, and it switches from a supportive friendship into an affair.
Side view of affectionate happy couple sitting in the cozy cafe. – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
‘Although problems with sex are very common, very few people come for help,’ says one GP (Photo: Getty)
They want something new in bed
Desires change – consiously or not and people may believe they want something different, or to experiment.
Elderly woman sitting alone in her living room – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
WHY YOUR PARTNER MAY CHEAT
They feel lonely
Nobody stays the same in a relationship – and if we’re not communicating that to each other, it can be disconnecting.
Susie Masterson, a relationship therapist, says when people feel undervalued, or stretched too thin in day-to-day life, they can look at their relationship and realise it isn’t filling the gaps.
How to recover from an affair
Infidelity doesn’t have to be the end of a relationship
Psychotherapist Esther Perel says in her book The State of Affairs that affairs can actually save a relationship, by forcing us to address deep-rooted issues and come back stronger.
Campbell says couples should be having conversations about infidelity and what it means to them.
“Often it’s not the affair that ends the relationship, but the fallout – and the way it’s managed. Which is why it’s useful to get some therapy if you can,” she adds.
Think you know all the signs of heart problems? Some might be myths rather than fact…
These are the beliefs to be wary of, according to Dr Abdul Mozid, a consultant cardiologist at Nuffield Health Leeds Hospital.
‘Getting out of breath is just a sign of getting older’
Caption: Senior man laying down on the sofa, watching tv and holding the remote control.
Photographer: PicTour Studio
Provider: Getty Images
Source: iStockphoto
While ageing can contribute, breathlessness is also a common early warning sign of heart disease.
When the heart cannot pump efficiently, fluid can build up in the lungs, making simple activities difficult.
If it occurs while laying down, or while doing minimal activity, it should never be ignored.
LIFESTYLE
4 min read
‘Sleep has little effect on the heart’
There are ways to get a better night’s sleep (Photo: Maskot/Getty/Digital Vision/Copyright Maskot Bildbyr?)
Poor or fragmented sleep increases stress hormone levels, raises blood pressure, disrupts glucose metabolism and promotes inflammation — all of which contribute to cardiovascular disease.
Good-quality sleep is not a luxury; it is a pillar of cardiovascular health alongside diet and exercise.
‘Exercise gives you a healthy heart’
You can ‘out-exercise’ metabolic stress
A young Indian woman sits on a couch at home, holding her hand over her heart, grimacing as she feels severe pain in her chest – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
This is not true. A poor diet high in saturated fats, refined sugars and salt promotes high cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension, regardless of your activity levels.
Analysis
3 min read
Other heart health myths to ignore
Only “bad” cholesterol matters
While HDL cholesterol may be associated with lower risk in some contexts, it does not provide total immunity to heart problems. Managing LDL levels remains crucial as part of your overall health.
(Photo: Jacob Wackerhausen/Getty).
Midlife depression. Sad upset middle aged woman at home, feeling lonely. Aging anxiety and loneliness concept – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
It’s just anxiety
Women are more likely to present with less “classic” heart attack symptoms, such as fatigue, nausea, jaw pain or back discomfort. If symptoms are new or persistent, cardiac issues must be considered.
‘Heart disease is an older person problem’
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in women, yet risk is often underestimated. Symptoms may be subtle and attributed to life stage or stress.
Recognising these unique risk enhancers is vital to earlier diagnosis and prevention.
The older couple has a conflict. Upset mature woman, quarrel with her husband. Relationship crisis – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Caption: BERLIN, GERMANY – AUGUST 13: Symbolic photo on the topic of problems in a relationship. An older woman and an older man are sitting at home on August 13, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo Illustration by Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images)
Photographer: Thomas Trutschel
Provider: Photothek via Getty Images
Source: Photothek
Fridge or cupboard?
This is your definitive guide on where and how to store your foods at home to maximise the quality and shelf life, from ketchup and butter to nuts and jam.
Where to store the basics
Keeping butter in the fridge maximises food safety and freshness.
Ketchup and mayonnaise can be stored in the cupboard but once opened, are best in the fridge.
Bread shouldn’t be refridgerated due to the starch molecules. A bread bin at room temparture, or an airtight container is best.
LIFESTYLE
6 min read
How and where to store food items
There is a fine line between ripe or matured and spoilt.
Jam
Keeping it in the fridge will help it last longer.
Eggs
Storing them at a constant cool temperature, preferably in the fridge, will keep them safe to eat.
Berries
Keeping them in the fridge slows down mould growth and keeps them fresh.
LIFESTYLE
5 min read
Where to store your food
Caption: Fresh organic tomato closeup .
Photographer: Maria Korneeva
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF
Tomatoes
Ripe ones should be kept on the counter uncovered if you’re going to enjoy them in the first few days after purchase.
Potatoes
They need to be in a dry, dark place like a cupboard. Exposure to light or moisture can rot the skin.
When you cook potatoes the right way they go from being a health burden to a health hero (Photo: Getty)
Caption: A Hand holding a bit brown banana
Photographer: bauwimauwi
Provider: Getty Images
Source: iStockphoto
Bananas
12°C is best, as they will ripen quicker if they are too warm, so a darker space with no direct sunlight is ideal.
Fridge or cupboard?
1Apples are best in cool to cold temperatures so the salad compartment of the fridge is ideal to keep them crunchy.
2At room temperature lemons stay good for a week but in the fridge it stretches to two.
3Ripe avocados should go in the fridge to slow down the ripening process but if they’re firm, a warm sunny spot is best.
4Soy sauce, due to the high levels of salt, is best in the cupboard – even once opened.
Where to store your food
Nuts
Nuts are fine in the cupboard but keeping them in the fridge in an airtight container helps prevent spoilage.
Caption: Cookie jar, tea, wine, nuts, books, lit candles and Christmas decorations on the table. Cozy Christmas hygge at home. Selective focus.
Photographer: Jelena990
Provider: Getty Images
Source: iStockphoto
Garlic bulbs (Photo: Emma Dahl/RHS)
Garlic
This suits dry, dark places so a cupboard is ideal.
Onions
Low temperatures can transform the starches of the onion into sugars, making it soft, and potentially mouldy.
Close up shot of man chopping onions during cooking class – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Nigel Farage’s party, which holds a majority on Doncaster council, is holding a crunch vote on Monday which would reverse a decision they made in November to approve the loan.
Leaders have drafted the motion despite warnings from council officers it would likely be terminal to the project and leave Doncaster council exposed to liabilities that could put it in danger of needing to issue a section 114 notice.
This signals an effective bankruptcy and means local authorities cannot incur any further spending.
More than 130,000 people have signed a petition calling for DSA to be reopened, and union leaders at the GMB and TUC have organised a protest outside Doncaster’s Civic Offices ahead of the meeting.
‘The atmosphere is very toxic, it’s horrible’
It is the latest twist in what has become an increasingly bitter battle over the future of DSA, which was first opened as an RAF airfield in 1915.
Last week Reform leaders reported a post in a prominent Facebook group to police after it allegedly called for the party’s councillors to be “killed”.
An insider at Doncaster Council told The i Paper: “The atmosphere is very toxic, it’s horrible.”
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK control Doncaster council, but the city has a Labour Mayor, Ros Jones (Photo: Joe Giddens/PA)
Reform holds 35 of the 55 seats on Doncaster council following last year’s elections, and the party’s original position was that it supported Labour’s airport proposals, which included plans to renegotiate the lease with Peel Group.
However, The i Paper understands there have always been strong misgivings about the deal within Reform which resulted in former leader Guy Aston standing down last year to be replaced by councillor Craig Ward.
The situation became further inflamed when the alleged terms of the 125-year lease, signed by Doncaster Mayor Jones in 2024, were leaked on social media. These included rights for Peel to terminate the lease if the airport failed to attract enough passengers or if the council failed to agree certain planning decisions.
Reform councillors now say they were not made aware of these terms in the lease at the time they approved the £57m loan – which Labour say is required to get the airport up and running but will be paid back through separate funding and airport revenues.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has already released £30m for the airport, and South Yorkshire Combined Authority has approved a further £160m, subject to the lease being renegotiated.
Reform’s first attempts to hold an “extraordinary meeting” over the airport deal ended in farce when councillors claimed their motion had been deliberately reworded without their consent by council officers.
Ward later conceded he had not properly read messages he had been sent, but the spat resulted in threats of legal action exchanged between Reform and chief executive of Doncaster council Damian Allen. who had faced accusations from Reform over the reworded motion.
Labour is to invest at least £190m of public money into the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield airport (Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty)
In recent weeks, Nigel Farage and his deputy Richard Tice have also stepped into the fray, backing their councillors’ position and calling Labour’s current deal with Peel a “financial disaster for taxpayers in Doncaster”.
The pair say any deal should involve the council obtaining the freehold of the airport, and that his party would support using a compulsory purchase order (CPO) if necessary.
Labour argues that Peel has previously refused to sell the freehold, and that any attempt at a CPO would be likely to take years and result in a difficult court battle that the council would be unlikely to win, having previously indicated it would accept a lease.
‘Farage doesn’t give a sh*t’
A Reform insider in Doncaster told The i Paper they were bemused by the sudden interest from Farage and Tice, claiming that the party leadership had previously ignored requests for support on how to handle the airport saga.
“When we were first elected [in 2025] we were abandoned by the leadership, we got nothing,” they claimed. “Farage doesn’t give a shit.”
The dispute between Labour and Reform is likely to intensify after Farage’s party took control of Barnsley Council – one of the five members of South Yorkshire’s Combined Authority – on Friday.
The i Paper understands that while the changes are unlikely to give Reform the power to unravel the airport project entirely, it could make Mayor Coppard’s decision-making more difficult.
Mayor Jones, who was elected on a promise to have the airport open by spring 2026, says that Reform councillors have always been able to view the terms of the lease, although The i Paper understands this was on condition of signing a confidentiality agreement that prevented them from discussing it in public.
Jones has called on Reform not to go through with their threat of rescinding the loan, writing in an open letter: “The motion is not about scrutiny. It is about using a procedural rule purely for political purposes.”
Reform has been contacted for comment. A spokesman said previously: “Last May, Reform UK stood on a platform to reopen Doncaster Airport. That’s precisely what our councillors voted in favour of. We will now hold the Labour Mayor’s plan to account and ensure she delivers a properly governed and efficiently-run airport that serves the interests of local taxpayers.”