Sometimes, the most unexpected moments happen on the side of the road—literally.
A curious mix of political presence and creative activism played out recently in Staffordshire, where Nigel Farage found himself not at a campaign rally, but elbow-deep in soil alongside a TikTok-famous gardener filling potholes with flowers. Yes, really.
Meet the Man Behind the “Pretty Potholes”
Harry Smith-Haggett, known on TikTok as @Harry_pretty_potholes, isn’t your average landscape gardener.
Sporting a bright pink high-vis vest with “Pretty Pot Holes” printed across the back, he’s made waves online by transforming crumbling roadways into cheerful, flower-filled displays.
His mission? To turn frustration into attention-grabbing beauty and nudge local councils into action.
Harry first started this grassroots effort in Horsham, Sussex after becoming tired of seeing potholes being ignored for years.
Since then, his videos—some reaching millions of views—have gone viral, showing him pouring topsoil into potholes, planting vibrant blooms, and narrating the process with a mix of charm and dry humour.
Farage Gets His Hands Dirty
In a moment that felt more like a sketch than real life, Nigel Farage pulled over in Staffordshire after spotting Harry mid-project.
Stepping out of his vehicle, the Reform UK party leader greeted him with a casual, “What are you doing here, mate?”—to which Harry replied with a grin, “Just making potholes look pretty, Nigel.”
Intrigued, Farage decided to lend a hand.
After watching Harry shovel in the soil, he planted what was referred to as a “blue beast” and helped tidy up the area.
He later called the entire initiative “unbelievable” and “amazing,” clearly impressed by the unconventional protest.
A Viral Movement with Mixed Reactions
While Harry’s floral activism has drawn praise from many—some even begging him to come to their towns—others have raised safety concerns.
Critics argue that covering potholes with plants could give drivers a false sense of security, possibly leading to accidents.
“It’s not even stable,” one commenter warned. “It could fall through.”
Despite the backlash, Harry insists his goal has always been to highlight road issues in a peaceful and visually impactful way, not to cause harm.
“It’s about drawing attention,” he told the BBC. “Without being dangerous or causing a problem.”
Local Councils Say “Please Don’t”
West Sussex County Council was quick to respond to the trend, urging residents not to follow in Harry’s footsteps.
“People risk their lives by going onto highways,” a council spokesperson told MailOnline, stressing that road repairs should be left to professionals.
They added that efforts are underway to improve conditions—but clearly, many residents don’t feel the pace is fast enough.
The Bigger Picture: A Nation Full of Potholes
Harry’s creative outcry comes at a time when potholes are becoming a national headache.
According to new research by RAC, only 3% of roads in England saw any form of maintenance between 2023 and 2024.
Shockingly, three councils—Blackpool, Tameside, and the London Borough of Bexley—didn’t fill a single pothole last year.
Even more concerning? A report by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) revealed that despite £20 billion being spent on roads over the past decade, over half of the UK’s local roads could be deteriorating beyond repair within the next 15 years.
Fixing the damage already done might require another £17 billion.
What’s Next?
With potholes still plaguing towns across the UK, the question remains: will attention-grabbing stunts like Harry’s inspire real change, or just temporary headlines?
While planting flowers won’t fix the structural issues underneath, it’s sparking a conversation—and that might just be the first step toward real solutions.
Meanwhile, Harry shows no sign of slowing down.
With a trowel in one hand and a camera in the other, he’s using creativity to make a point, one pothole at a time.
Whether you think it’s genius or reckless, one thing’s clear: he’s making sure no one forgets just how broken some of these roads really are.
