Nigel Farage, who helped champion Britain’s departure from the European Union, mentioned on Monday he would stand as a candidate in subsequent month’s election and can lead the right-wing Reform Party in a serious blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
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The shock U-turn by Farage, now a TV host, will increase his motion’s profile and problem Sunak’s Conservatives for the assist of right-leaning voters at a time when the governing celebration is already badly trailing the Labour Party within the polls.
Farage, 60, had beforehand mentioned he wouldn’t stand within the July 4 vote to be able to assist Donald Trump struggle the U.S. election later this yr. But Farage mentioned he modified his thoughts as a result of he felt responsible not standing up for individuals who had develop into disillusioned with politics and had at all times backed him.
“We are going to be the voice of opposition, and I tell you what, I have done it before, I’ll do it again, I’ll surprise everybody,” Farage advised a information convention, saying it was a fait accompli that Labour would win however that he needed to place Reform as its important opponent.
He mentioned he would lead a “political revolt” in Britain as a result of “nothing in this country works anymore”, citing issues with public companies similar to healthcare and roads.
Although Farage has stood unsuccessfully for parliament seven instances he’s nonetheless one of the vital influential British politicians of his era, placing stress on a succession of prime ministers to take more durable positions on the EU and on tackling immigration.
Selling Brexit
Shunned by the British political institution and backed by Eurosceptic financiers, Farage helped promote Brexit to tens of millions of voters in England and Wales who felt ignored by the primary Conservative and Labour events.
Although he was educated at an costly college and labored as a commodities dealer, he has cultivated a picture of an anti-establishment determine. He is routinely pictured with a cigarette in a single hand and a pint of beer within the different.
Farage, who has survived testicular most cancers and a airplane crash, may also take over as chief of Reform, changing Richard Tice, who mentioned earlier than Farage took the stage the celebration needed a technique to “turn on the rocket boosters” to the election marketing campaign.
Divisive and charismatic, Farage has beforehand made feedback that his political opponents have known as racist. Farage appeared in entrance of a poster throughout the Brexit marketing campaign displaying traces of migrants underneath the slogan “Breaking Point” and final month mentioned Muslims didn’t share British values.
At the final basic election in 2019, Farage’s celebration determined to not contest seats held by the Conservatives, then led by Boris Johnson, to keep away from splitting the pro-Brexit vote.
Polls recommend the opposition Labour Party is heading in the right direction for victory this time, with the Conservatives watching one of many worst ends in their historical past.
Support for Reform runs at about 10% nationally, giving the celebration the third highest vote share, polls present. But underneath Britain’s winner-takes-all system, the celebration had not been anticipated to win any seats.
A ballot earlier this yr forecast the Conservatives would win Clacton with Reform coming third. One betting firm mentioned Farage had a 40% likelihood of profitable the seat after his announcement.
Under stress, Sunak has already tried to win over voters tempted by Reform with insurance policies similar to tax cuts for pensioners, the reintroduction of nationwide service and his plan to ship unlawful asylum seekers to Rwanda.
Asked on Monday if he was fearful about Farage getting into the competition, Sunak mentioned a vote for Reform would assist Labour.
(Reuters)
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240604-brexit-champion-nigel-farage-decides-to-run-in-uk-election-further-threatening-tory-prospects