Nigel Farage, former leader of UKIP and the Brexit Party, has made a surprising decision that could significantly impact the future of Reform UK in the upcoming general election.
Not Standing
Nigel Farage, the former leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) and the Brexit Party, has announced that he will not stand for Reform UK in the upcoming general election.
Stunning Blow
In a stunning blow to the party he ostensibly is the honorary president of and which he previously led, Farage announced his decision not to stand on the first day of the Reform Party’s election campaign.
Weeks of Speculation
Farage’s announcement ended weeks of speculation over whether or not he would run, with many in the Reform Party professing hope that such a high-profile figure would galvanise both their supporters and attract disillusioned Conservatives, like Reform’s only MP Lee Anderson, who himself defected from the Tories to the party.
“Thought Long and Hard”
Farage explained his decision online, writing, “I have thought long and hard as to whether I should stand in the upcoming general election. As honorary president of Reform UK I am fully supportive of Richard Tice’s leadership and urge voters to put their trust in him and Lee Anderson. I will do my bit to help in the campaign, but it is not the right time for me to go further than that.”
“End Decline in This Country”
He added, “The choice between Labour and the Conservatives is uninspiring, and only Reform have the radical agenda that is needed to end decline in this country.”
Sights Set on America
Despite his professed desire to see Reform UK win seats in the upcoming election, Farage, like former Prime Minister Liz Truss, has apparently set his sights on America as a place where he might make more of an impact with the far-right Trump-supporting crowd.
“Huge Global Significance”
Farage wrote, “Important though the general election is, the contest in the United States of America on November 5 has huge global significance.”
“Vital for Our Peace and Security”
He continued, “A strong America as a close ally is vital for our peace and security. I intend to help with the grassroots campaign in the USA in any way that I can.”
Reform Struggles
Farage’s decision will likely be a significant blow to Reform UK, which is struggling to establish itself in British politics.
“I’m Delighted”
Despite this, the party leader Richard Tice tried to put a brave face on things at his campaign launch, stating, “Nigel never said he was going to stand. I’m delighted that he’s able to help us campaign over the next six weeks.”
630 Out of 650
Tice outlined his plans to field candidates in 630 of the 650 possible constituencies across England, Scotland and Wales and confirmed the party was vetting around 130 new candidates to stand for Reform UK.
Extreme Views
The party has faced challenges with its candidates in the past, with several candidates dropped over their extreme views, with one claiming that Muslims should “never coexist with others” and another who said that Ashkenazi Jews had “caused the world massive misery.”
Brave Face
Despite Tice putting on a brave face, Reform UK is facing an uphill battle to win seats under the UK’s antiquated first-past-the-post system.
£1.5 Million
Wanderscot
However, Tice admitted that running an effective ground campaign would be difficult, noting that the party’s annual expenditure was less than £1.5 million, a stark contrast to the £35 million spent by both the Conservative and Labour parties.
Conservative Relief
Farage’s decision not to stand was a relief for the Conservative Party, which feared his high public profile could have syphoned off significant support.
“Inevitably Helpful for the Conservatives”
Former cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg commented, “The fact that he’s not a candidate for an opposition party is inevitably helpful for the Conservatives.”
“Absolutely Terrified”
Despite this, Tice argued that the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, was “absolutely terrified” of Reform UK’s growing popularity, accusing Sunak of calling a summer election out of fear of Reform’s impact.
Spectacular Failure
Nigel Farage’s political career has long been marked by a spectacular failure to get elected. He has stood unsuccessfully seven times for election to the UK Parliament, though many credit his near dominance of the media pre-Brexit for the eventual outcome of the referendum to leave the EU.
Dimming Star
Despite his professed hatred of the European Union, Farage was a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for South East England from 1999 until the UK left the EU in 2020, after which his star seemed to dim rapidly.
GB News
Since then, Farage has been reduced to a hosting spot on the right-wing, hedge fund-backed GB News channel, where he spouts his xenophobic rhetoric to less than 50,000 people on his nightly show.
Coming to America
Farage’s decision not to stand in the UK election may be because he is making a tidy sum on GB News, it may be because he doesn’t want the embarrassment of failing to get elected for an eighth time, or simply, as he stated, because he believes his fortunes lie state-side.
Good Riddance?
Whatever the reason, this will likely not be the last the UK sees of Nigel Farage, for better or worse.
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Alexandros Michailidis.