On a street in Wigan where Nigel Farage’s Reform UK promised to pay every household’s energy bills for a year, some residents are still waiting for their prize, wondering if they have been excluded from what was billed as a windfall for the whole road.
Angie Ecclestone, 48, who lives in the first house on St Malo Road, told The Telegraph she was congratulated by her sister but has received no communication from the party. “I thought to myself I’ll believe it when I see it but I didn’t realise I had been excluded and that my neighbours had all received a letter and instructions,” she said. “Nigel Farage said the whole street [would be included] but we haven’t heard anything… It’s the whole street or not the street. I am mortified.”
Other neighbours share her frustration. IT worker Matt Johnson, 53, also learnt of the win from family and has heard nothing from Reform, despite facing annual energy bills of around £3,500. Fraser Hayes, 63, said he too had not received the winnings and would donate any money to charity, describing the competition as an “appalling” “data grab” by a party he does not support.
How a ‘Random’ Draw Sparked Scrutiny
The controversy stems from a competition launched by Reform UK in March 2026 to promote its policy of cutting energy bills by removing green levies and VAT. The party said it would cover up to £3,500 for the previous 12 months of energy bills for the winner, and for every address on their street. The competition ran from 17 to 31 March, concluding just after the start of the pre-election “purdah” period for local authorities, which began on 30 March.
Earlier this month, “June from Wigan” – later identified as June Dibble – was announced as the winner. In a social media video, Nigel Farage presented flowers to her and her husband Ray, while the party’s treasury spokesman, Robert Jenrick, held a giant cheque for £1,758.
However, the win immediately faced scrutiny. A photograph resurfaced appearing to show Mr Farage with the couple at a 2019 Brexit Party event. Furthermore, Wigan’s local Reform UK branch congratulated the “staunch” branch members on Facebook, and it was noted the Dibbles had previously nominated someone for a local party chair role. The local branch had previously referred to the competition as ‘Nigel Pay My Bills’.
Despite these connections, Reform UK states the draw was random and conducted legally, with video evidence for verification. The party says the competition was open to both members and non-members and was checked by their barrister and an independent KC.
The problems for residents arose in the distribution of the prize. According to The Telegraph, only homes on the same side of St Malo Road as the winners, the side not divided by St Aubyn’s Road, initially received letters with claim instructions. This left residents on the other section feeling overlooked.
Data, Law and a Police Review
The competition’s mechanics have attracted criticism beyond the street in Wigan. To enter, individuals were required to provide personal details including their past voting history and future voting intentions. The Open Rights Group has called for an Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) investigation, arguing that seeking such sensitive political opinions without clear transparency on its use could be unlawful and pressures voters to “trade privacy for material benefit”.
Reform UK says the competition was cleared by the ICO. The ICO has stated it is in regular contact with political parties about data usage and has spoken with Reform UK about this competition, advising on improving transparency.
Separately, concerns have been raised about potential breaches of electoral law. The “treating” offence under the Representation of the People Act 1983 prohibits providing food, drink, entertainment or provision to influence a voter. The Electoral Commission states that activities designed to incentivise voter behaviour may be considered an offence, and it is for the police to determine if one has occurred. Greater Manchester Police have confirmed they are reviewing a complaint regarding the competition. Nigel Farage has said he is “not the least bit worried” about potential breaches.
In response to the residents’ complaints, a Reform UK spokesman told The Independent that the party had posted letters through some doors on the day of the announcement but couldn’t deliver to all addresses. “Letters are incoming for the remaining households. We always intended to pay for the whole road, as promised, and will do,” the spokesman said.
