Richard Tice repeatedly said he was looking forward to holding Prime Minister Andy Burnham to account now that MPs have returned from their summer break. But his own party has also faced scrutiny.
Having gained control of 24 councils in the last two sets of local elections, Reform UK has a record in local government. That was the main focus of his round of interviews with BBC local radio stations this morning.
Tice was asked why Reform UK-led councils, including in Leicestershire, had raised council tax. Presenters suggested the party had given the impression it would do the opposite in election leaflets.
Tice disputed that. He insisted Reform UK councillors had shown they were “financially prudent” and added the party was "doing a good job of getting to grips with wasteful spending".
On a national level, there was some bemusement over why Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who is under a parliamentary investigation into a £5m gift he didn’t declare, had not shown up for these interviews.
Tice was adamant that Farage is “going nowhere”, brushing aside any suggestion the party’s leader was under pressure.
Looking ahead, Reform UK’s conference is a chance for the party to make a big splash politically. Tice added it will focus on the party's plans for the first 100 days in government should it win the general election.
Tice will be hoping that a summer to forget, at times, can turn into an autumn to remember.
Richard Tice Faces BBC Local Radio Interview Round