Main Edition
US
FR
May 25, 2024 - 6:30pm
Who knows what Nigel Farage is really up to? Apart from Farage himself, that is, though he sometimes seems to have trouble making his mind up. But now he has, what are we to make of his decision not to stand for Reform UK in July’s general election?
In a statement posted on X, Farage declared: “I will do my bit to help in the campaign, but it is not the right time for me to go any further than that.” It was, however, apparently the right time for him to focus his energy across the pond. “Important though the general election is,” he said, “the contest in the United States of America on November 5 has huge global significance.” Accordingly, he continued, “I intend to help with the grassroots campaign in the USA in any way I can.”
It would seem the man who, in Brexiteers’ eyes, helped “give them their country back”, has clearly decided, notwithstanding the fact that, as he puts it, “only Reform have the radical agenda that is needed to end decline” in the UK, the UK (and its decline) isn’t now his main priority.
In fairness, Farage has cancelled his GB News show in the run-up to the general election, apparently so he can help the Reform campaign. Yet his detractors will no doubt note that the opportunities offered by teaming up with Donald Trump between now and November are far more lucrative than those available to him on home soil.
A more charitable view is that Farage really does believe that the world — and by implication Britain — is under threat from the increasingly broad catch-all of “globalism”. To stay and fight it on this small island would be pointless, the argument runs. Better, instead, to confront it alongside the guy with the best chance of putting it to the sword, and if that means being accused of deserting his troops to run away to the MAGA circus, then so be it.
Really, the truth may lie somewhere in between. And there may, in any case, have been other factors bearing on his decision — some short-term, some long-term. In the short-term, Farage, who is no fool, has presumably (and probably wisely given its poor showing in recent local and by-elections) come to the conclusion that Reform is unlikely to make that big a splash in July’s snap contest, and certainly not one big enough to give him even the remotest chance of finally taking a seat in the House of Commons.
Join the discussion
Join like minded readers that support our journalism by becoming a paid subscriber
To join the discussion in the comments, become a paid subscriber.
Join like minded readers that support our journalism, read unlimited articles and enjoy other subscriber-only benefits.
SubscribeThere is so little difference between Cons and Lab that it is barely worth voting and I shall probably, for the first time, spoil my paper. So fully understand why Farage thinks the US is what matters; seems to be a significant difference there.
I’m coming to the same conclusion.
Out of curiosity, why not vote for Reform?
the MAGA circus – ?
Agree with him that now is not the right time to take another tilt at becoming an mp – at 60 he does have the luxury of waiting for a better one. Not sure that Reform in its current form is the right vehicle either (and l’m a paid up supporter). He’s proving quite successful campaigning for select issues outside Westminster and l doubt that will change.
Looks like the Tories are set to lose heavily then implode after the next election, Labour will then be unnoposed and are unlikely to resist the temptation to enact changes and policies which will alienate and/or infuriate very large sections of the UK. It won’t take very long for the public to recognise that, while the Tories have been terrible, Labour doesn’t have any viable solutions and what it does try makes things worse. Expect Labour itself to start fragmenting as this progresses.
The resulting political landscape should prove very fertile for Farage (and others) who want to see a movement capable of reshaping the centre right. As yet it’s not clear what form that movement might take which is another reason he may want to keep his powder dry for the moment.
I suspect the Tories won’t fully implode, they will probably come back with 80 to 100 seats.
This election won’t resolve the massive political issues the UK has at this time, that’s going to take 5 years to resolve, and probably 3 general elections within that 5 years.
I’m not sure. Look at the demographics. I’m sure you won’t like my words, but to me, an outside observer, Britain now resembles a carelessly crafted effigy of Great Britain. It’s all pretty similar, but here and there you can see some moth holes and some straw stuffing.
.
Although, compared to the background of the old countries of continental Europe, you are still very good
From outside the UK a lot of what you see is the image progressive graduates in the media etc. want you to see. Get away from London and the big cities you will find plenty of ‘real’ Britain – and many parts are very angry with the damage that is being done to the country by our self identifying ‘betters’.
I’m guessing it’s not too different in large parts of the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Thank you, Phil!
I must admit that you are right and I am wrong.
Thanks to you, I vividly remembered with what trepidation my friends, calling me from Europe, asked me how I manage to escape from Hamas rockets
Labour will win this election by talking about anything at all other than their energy policies. The establishment media will enable them in this. By the time the majority of the population realise what the future holds for them it will be too late. The process, begun by Tony Blair and continued by his Conservative acolytes, of removing any electoral control over the administrative state will have been completed.
The elites in Britain know perfectly well that, for Net Zero to be achieved, democratic accountability must be removed. With almost no exceptions they are convinced that this is necessary and right. The criminalisation of dissent begun with ‘hate crime’ laws will be extended to ‘climate denialism’.
This is the last election. Sure, there might be a vote in 5 years’ time. But there won’t be a choice.
How many times has this clown run for parliament? 6? 7?
And you people are still obsessed with him. Comical.
He achieved his goal of Brexit without being elected to Parliament…rather impressive for a “clown”.
And it is the entire political class, including the MSM, which is obsessed with him because he has political power which they cannot control.
Seven. And if he stands again this time, he’ll lose again.
Reform will get nowhere.
But indeed, still they write about him endlessly.
I look forward to the delicious irony of the Great British Patriot decamping to the US.
Anyone who follows and comments on content s/he despises as often as you do, Champagne Socialist, stands in need of a hobby.
The only way Farage will find his way to Westminster is via proportional representation.
hmm, proportional representation, the voting system designed for politicians by politicians.
Looking into the EU we see that PR has filled their parliaments with extremists, we don’t want that in the UK
Why not? If 10% vote for the Greens or Reform why shouldn’t they get 10% of the seats?
Current polls seem to show Reform and Lib Dems both winning around 8-10% of the vote but Lib Dems to win 40 seats and Reform to not win any. How is that a better system?
IMHO it would be better to have winner takes all. It’s no wonder nothing gets done with so many interests to be compromised with.
Too many oxen need to be gored for that happen.
You are very kind to Farage, but the truth is the old demagogue, for that is what he is, had an opportunity in this election to project himself and ‘his’ party Reform.
He’s bottled it for the Trump$ .. it stinks doesn’t it?
The Trump dollars? Nigel Farage’s connection to Donald Trump is financial?
Why did my comment get removed??
Expletives.
There were no expletives. It was a very mild comment.
It eludes me why Farage should get himself involved in the car wreck that is British politics right now. The Tories are finished for at least a decade and the Labour Party cannot extract the country from his current dilemmas and will pay the price for it. He is wise to remain free of the darkness that lies in the future.