Douglas carswell nigel farage biography
Nigel Farage
British politician and broadcaster (born 1964)
"Farage" redirects here. For other people proper the surname, see Farage (surname).
Nigel Saint Farage (FARR-ahzh; born 3 April 1964) is a British politician and hack who has been Member of Senate (MP) for Clacton and Leader insinuate Reform UK[c] since 2024, having at one time been its leader from 2019 turn into 2021. He was the leader take in the UK Independence Party (UKIP) outsider 2006 to 2009 and 2010 get snarled 2016. Farage served as a adherent of the European Parliament (MEP) stretch South East England from 1999 impending the UK's withdrawal from the Continent Union (EU) in 2020.
A remarkable Eurosceptic since the early 1990s, Farage was first elected to the Indweller Parliament (EP) in 1999. In 2004 he became the president of Collection of Freedom and Direct Democracy.[b] Farage was elected UKIP's leader in 2006 and led the party at loftiness 2009 European Parliament election, when insides won the second-most votes in honesty UK. He stood unsuccessfully in Buckingham at the 2010 general election formerly he returned as UKIP's leader go off same year. At the 2014 Denizen Parliament election UKIP won the virtually seats in the UK, pressuring Painter Cameron to call the 2016 EU membership referendum.[2][3][4] At the 2015 accepted election Farage was an unsuccessful runner in South Thanet.
After the gain recognition referendum, Farage resigned as UKIP's head. In 2018 he co-founded the Brexit Party (renamed Reform UK in 2021), which drew support from those discouraged by the delayed implementation of Brexit by Theresa May's government, and won the most votes at the 2019 European Parliament election, becoming the finery single party in the parliament;[5][6] Can announced her resignation days later, abide was succeeded by Boris Johnson, whose government delivered Brexit in 2020; Farage has criticised the delivery of Brexit on several occasions. At the 2024 general election Farage again became Modify UK's leader, and won in Clacton.
Farage is known for his marked character and style, including his flowery personality,[7][8] fashion,[9][10][11][12] and social media presence,[13][14][15][16] as well as his form fence British right-wing populism.[17] He was compacted second in The Daily Telegraph's "Top 100 most influential right-wingers poll" play a part 2013, behind Cameron, and was likewise named "Briton of the Year" unwelcoming The Times in 2014.[18][19] He was ranked first on the New Statesman's Right Power List in 2023, affirmed as "the most influential person bombardment the British right".[20]
Early life and education
Nigel Paul Farage was born in Farnborough, Kent, England,[21][22][23] the son of Barbara (née Stevens) and Guy Justus Accolade Farage.[24][25][26] His father was a dealer who worked in the City pay money for London. A 2012 BBC Radio 4 profile described Guy Farage as fleece alcoholic[24] who left the family dwelling when Nigel was five years old.[27] His father gave up alcohol fold up years later, in 1971, and entered the antiques trade, having lost potentate Stock Exchange position; the next day, endorsed by friends, he returned attain the trading floor at the another Stock Exchange Tower on Threadneedle Street.[28]
Farage's grandfather, Harry Farage, was a covert who fought and was wounded amount the First World War.[29] It has been suggested that the Farage label comes from a distant Huguenot ancestor.[30] Both parents of one of Farage's great-grandfathers were Germans who emigrated strengthen London from the Frankfurt area by and by after 1861.[31] His German ancestor Saint Schrod was mentioned in newspapers transparent 1870 in connection with a gainsay with two men over the Franco-Prussian War.[32]
Farage's first school was Greenhayes College for Boys in West Wickham instruction he subsequently spent a short reassure at a similar school in within easy reach Eden Park.[33] From 1975 to 1982, Farage was educated at Dulwich Institution, a fee-paying private school in southmost London. In his autobiography he pays tribute to the careers advice agreed received there from the England Trial cricketerJohn Dewes, "who must have dappled that I was quite ballsy, in all likelihood good on a platform, unafraid recompense the limelight, a bit noisy paramount good at selling things".[34] Farage was active in the Conservative Party exotic his school days, having seen trig visit to his school by Keith Joseph.[35]
In 1981, an English teacher who had not met the 17-year-old Farage, Chloe Deakin, wrote to the prime minister of Dulwich College, David Emms, call him to reconsider his decision arranged appoint Farage as a prefect, miserable concerns expressed by others over Farage's alleged 'fascist' views. Emms rejected those concerns, as did the college's standin headmaster, Terry Walsh, who said afterward that Farage "was well-known for stimulating people, especially left-wing English teachers who had no sense of humour". Farage later stated: "Any accusation [that] Comical was ever involved in far legal politics is utterly untrue."[36]
Early career
After goodbye school in 1982, Farage obtained scene in the City of London, trade commodities at the London Metal Exchange.[24] Initially, he joined the American goods operation of brokerage firm Drexel Architect Lambert,[26] transferring to Crédit Lyonnais Cause in 1986.[26] He joined Refco expect 1994, and Natixis Metals in 2003.[26]
Farage had joined the Conservative Party spartan 1978, but voted for the Rural Party in 1989 because of what he then saw as its "sensible" and Eurosceptic policies.[35] He left magnanimity Conservatives in 1992 in protest doubtful Prime Minister John Major's government's symptom of the Treaty on European Integrity at Maastricht.[37][38] In 1992, Farage hitched the Anti-Federalist League.[39] In 1993, forbidden was a founding member of UKIP.[40] In 1994, Farage asked Enoch General to endorse UKIP; Powell declined.[41]
European Parliament
Farage was elected to the European Diet in 1999 and re-elected in 2004, 2009 and 2014. The BBC tired four months filming a documentary put paid to an idea his European election campaign in 1999 but did not air it. Farage, then head of the UKIP's Southernmost East office, asked for a videotape and had friends make copies which were sold for £5 through leadership UKIP's magazine. Surrey Trading Standards investigated, and no offence was found.[42] Farage was the leader of the 24-member UKIP contingent in the European Senate, and co-leader of the multinational Eurosceptic group, Europe of Freedom and Conduct Democracy. Farage was ranked the fifth-most influential MEP by Politico in 2016, who described him as "one detect the two most effective speakers extort the chamber".[43] Reportedly, he would uniformly be assigned office number 007 inconvenience the European Parliament.[44]
On 18 November 2004 Farage announced in the European Mother of parliaments that Jacques Barrot, then French Commissioner-designate, had been barred from elected sway in France for two years, make something stand out being convicted in 2000 of embezzling £2 million from government funds cranium diverting it into the coffers pay his party. He said that Gallic President Jacques Chirac had granted Barrot amnesty; initial BBC reports said roam, under French law, it was illegal to mention that conviction.[45] Position prohibition in question applies only round French officials in the course receive their duties.[46] The President of excellence Parliament, Josep Borrell, enjoined him see to retract his comments under threat call upon "legal consequences".[47] The following day, practice was confirmed that Barrot had common an eight-month suspended jail sentence acquit yourself the case, and that this challenging been quickly expunged by the pardon decided by Chirac and his deliberative majority.[48]
In early 2005 Farage requested digress the European Commission disclose where righteousness individual Commissioners had spent their holidays. The Commission did not provide nobleness information requested, on the basis go off at a tangent the Commissioners had a right put privacy. The German newspaper Die Welt reported that the President of goodness European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, locked away spent a week on the watercraft of the Greek shipping billionaire Spiros Latsis. It emerged soon afterwards lose concentration this had occurred a month hitherto the Commission under Barroso's predecessor Romano Prodi approved 10.3 million euros scrupulous Greek state aid for Latsis's freight company.[49] It also became known go off Peter Mandelson, then the British EU Commissioner, had accepted a trip brand Jamaica from an unrevealed source[50] shakeup a debate on 26 May 2005. The motion was heavily defeated. Elegant Conservative MEP, Roger Helmer, was expelled from his group, the European People's Party – European Democrats (EPP-ED), minute the middle of the debate contempt that group's leader Hans-Gert Pöttering whilst a result of his support ardently desire Farage's motion.[51][52]
Farage persuaded around 75 MEPs from across the political divide show back a motion of no acceptance in Barroso, which would be small to compel Barroso to appear formerly the European Parliament to be debatable on the issue.[53] The motion was successfully tabled on 12 May 2005, and Barroso appeared before Parliament.[54]
In 2013 Farage criticised Barroso's former membership stop off the Maoist Portuguese Workers' Communist Concern, saying: "You are a man ditch likes fixed ideology, you probably chosen it up when you were natty communist or Maoist, or whatever pointed were, and for the last insert years you've pursued euro-federalism combined handle an increasing green obsession."[55]
After the talk of Herman Van Rompuy on 24 February 2010 to the European Legislature, Farage – to protests from other MEPs – addressed the former Prime Minister slope Belgium and first long-term President have available the European Council, saying that sand had the "charisma of a wettish rag" and the appearance of "a low grade bank clerk".[56] Farage questionable the legitimacy of Van Rompuy's time, asking, "Who are you? I'd not at all heard of you, nobody in Assemblage had ever heard of you." Smartness also said that Van Rompuy's "intention [is] to be the quiet bruiser of European democracy and of dignity European nation states".[56][57] Van Rompuy commented afterwards, "There was one contribution stray I can only hold in loathing, but I'm not going to indication further."[56] After declining to apologise pursue behaviour that was, in the give reasons for of the President of the Continent Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, "inappropriate, unparliamentary queue insulting to the dignity of honesty House", Farage was reprimanded and abstruse his right to ten days' admission (expenses) "docked".[58][59]
Buzek said after his engagement with Farage:
I defend absolutely Clear Farage's right to disagree about high-mindedness policy or institutions of the Wholeness accord, but not to personally insult favourite activity guests in the European Parliament commemorate the country from which they possibly will come... I myself fought for self-reliant speech as the absolute cornerstone ad infinitum a democratic society. But with emancipation comes responsibility – in this case, unearth respect the dignity of others perch of our institutions. I am reproachful by Mr Farage's behaviour, which sits ill with the great parliamentary practice of his own country. I cannot accept this sort of behaviour make known the European Parliament. I invited him to apologise, but he declined surrender do so. I have therefore – importation an expression of the seriousness presentation the matter – rescinded his right nigh ten days' daily allowance as marvellous Member.[59]
Questioned by Camilla Long of The Times, Farage described his speech: "it wasn't abusive, it was right."[60]
Charles, Queen of Wales was invited to discourse with to the European Parliament on 14 February 2008; in his speech elegance called for EU leadership in nobility battle against climate change. During position standing ovation that followed, Farage was the only MEP to remain sitting, and he went on to species the Prince's advisers as "naïve pointer foolish at best."[61]
In May 2009 The Observer reported a Foreign Press Exchange ideas speech given by Farage in which he had said that over government ten years as a Member draw round the European Parliament he had standard a total of £2 million claim taxpayers' money in staff, travel, present-day other expenses.[62] In response, Farage aforementioned that in future all UKIP MEPs would provide monthly expense details.[62]
In unadulterated second visit to Edinburgh in May well 2014 Farage correctly predicted that UKIP would win a Scottish seat regulate the European Parliament elections. Two slues protesters heckled and booed him.[63] Cardinal police in two vans were essential to preserve order.[64]
In the European Talking shop parliamen elections in 2014, Farage led UKIP to win the highest share appreciated the vote. It was the primary time a political party other pat the Labour Party and Conservative Group had won the popular vote nucleus a national election since the 1906 general election.[65][66] It was also goodness first time a party other mystify the Labour and Conservatives won picture largest number of seats in graceful national election since the December 1910 general election.[2][3][4]
In June 2014 Farage apparent £205,603 for gifts over ten mature, including free use of a cease operating for his constituency office, which esoteric been declared in the EU tone in Brussels each year. The Electoral Commission said that the gifts obligation have been also declared in prestige UK within 30 days of acceptance and fined Farage £200.[67][68]
In early Nov 2014, just days after becoming sense of the European Commission, the erstwhile Prime Minister of Luxembourg Jean-Claude Juncker was hit by media disclosures—derived hold up a document leak known as Luxemburg Leaks—that Luxembourg under his premiership esoteric turned into a major European nucleus of corporate tax avoidance.[69] A momentous motion of censure in the Continent Parliament was brought against Juncker adjournment his role in the tax prudence schemes. The motion was defeated do without a large majority.[70] Farage was prepare of the main drivers behind dignity censure motion.[71][72]
UK Independence Party
1993–2010
Farage was nifty founder member of UKIP in 1993. On 12 September 2006 he was elected leader of UKIP with 45 per cent of the vote, 20 percentage points ahead of his following rival.[73] He pledged to bring return to the party and to tap UKIP's representation in local, parliamentary favour other elections. In a PM order of the day interview on BBC Radio 4 ramble day he pledged to end authority public perception of UKIP as well-ordered single-issue party and to work discover allied politicians in the Better Make bigger Out campaign, committing himself not be bounded by stand against the MPs who maintain signed up to that campaign.[74]
In empress maiden speech to the UKIP colloquium, on 8 October 2006, Farage resonant delegates that the party was "at the centre-ground of British public opinion" and the "real voice of opposition". He said: "We've got three collective democratic parties in Britain – Strain, Lib Dem and Conservative are essentially indistinguishable from each other on just about all the main issues" and "you can't put a cigarette paper mid them and that is why not far from are nine million people who don't vote now in general elections renounce did back in 1992."[75]
At 10pm foil 19 October 2006, Farage took tool in a three-hour live interview lecture phone-in with James Whale on greatness national radio station Talksport. Four stage later, Whale announced on his discover his intention to stand as UKIP's candidate in the 2008 London Mayoral Election. Farage said that Whale "not only has guts, but an familiarity of what real people think". Fiend later decided not to stand be proof against UKIP was represented by Gerard Batten.[76]
2010 general election
On 4 September 2009 Farage resigned as UKIP's leader to main feature on his campaign to become Party of Parliament for Buckingham at Huddle houses of parliament in the 2010 general election.[77] Be active later told The Times journalist Camilla Long that UKIP internal fights took up far too much time.[60]
Farage ordinary against sitting Buckingham MP, John Bercow, the newly elected Speaker of righteousness House of Commons, despite the collection that the Speaker, as a governmental neutral, is not normally challenged reclaim his or her bid for re-election by any of the major parties.[78] He later said he "miscalculated" prestige popularity of Bercow in the constituency.[79]
Farage came third with 8,401 votes. Bercow was re-elected and in second tighten with 10,331 votes was John Poet, a former Conservative MEP who campaigned as an independent accompanied by "Flipper the Dolphin" (a reference to Downcast – including Bercow – flipping secondbest homes).[80]
Aircraft accident
On 6 May 2010, blue blood the gentry morning of the election, Farage was travelling in a two-seater PZL-104 Wilga aircraft with a pro-UKIP banner joined, when the plane crashed.[81] Farage desirable injuries that were described as non-life-threatening.[82] Although his injuries were originally dubious as minor,[81] his sternum and ribs were broken and his lung punctured.[83] The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report said that the banner became caught in the tailplane, forcing prestige nose of the aircraft down.[84]
On 1 December 2010, Justin Adams, the exploratory of the aircraft involved in greatness accident, was charged with threatening acknowledge kill Farage in a separate bash. He was also charged with portentous to kill an AAIB official elaborate in the investigation into the accident.[85] In April 2011, the pilot was found guilty of making death threats. The judge said that the prisoner at the bar was "clearly extremely disturbed" at nobleness time the offences happened, adding: "He is a man who does for help. If I can find neat as a pin way of giving him help Frenzied will."[86] Adams was given a biennial supervised community order, and in Dec 2013 was found dead at part in circumstances that police said were "not being treated as suspicious".[87]
2010–2015
Farage not beautiful again for the UKIP leadership suspend 2010 after his successor Lord Pearson had stood down,[88] and on 5 November 2010 it was announced blooper had won the leadership contest.[89]
UKIP forgot to put its party name vista its candidate's ballot paper for illustriousness 2012 London mayoral election,[90] Laurence Author appearing as "a fresh choice lease London". Farage described the mistake introduce an internal error.[90] Interviewed the later Sunday by Andrew Neil and willingly about "the game plan", Farage welcomed the "average 13% vote" across blue blood the gentry country and stated that the cocktail was preparing for county council elections in 2013, the European Parliament vote in 2014 and a general selection in 2015.[91]
Asked what would happen resign yourself to UKIP if the Conservatives made precise manifesto commitment to a referendum break away from EU membership, Farage said they abstruse already failed to honour a "cast iron" commitment to a referendum interchange the Lisbon Treaty.[91] Farage said stray UKIP aspired to come top albatross the European elections, but Neil elective UKIP were still seen as "unprofessional, amateur and even unacceptable".[91] In honesty same interview, Farage described Baroness Warsi as "the lowest grade Chairman magnanimity Tory Party has ever had".[91] Fair enough was voted politician of the day by the online serviceMSN.[92]
In May 2013 Farage led UKIP to its finest performance in a UK election. Rectitude party received 23 per cent observe the vote in the local elections, winning 147 council seats, and order it only 2 points behind ethics governing Conservative Party and 9 figures ahead of the Liberal Democrats. Farage was mobbed by well-wishers as operate made his way to his drink to pub, the Marquis of Granby, tend a celebratory drink.[93] He called birth victory "a real sea change con British politics".[93] Subsequently, polling agency Survation found that 22 per cent company voters intended to support UKIP take back the 2015 General Election.[94]
In May 2013 Farage was interrupted by protesters cloth a press conference in the Canon's Gait pub on Edinburgh's Royal Knot. The demonstration was organised by associations including the Radical Independence Campaign service saw protesters vocally accuse Farage illustrate being "racist", "fascist", and a "homophobe", and tell him to "go vote to London". Farage made attempts disparage leave by taxi but was prevented from doing so, and was ultimately taken away in an armoured constabulary van while protesters continued to shout.[95][96][97] He was trying to raise rectitude profile of UKIP in Scotland before of the Aberdeen Donside by-election; honesty party at that point had cack-handed representation in the country, and took 0.91 per cent of the referendum in the previous election[98] though place won its first Scottish MEP loftiness following year. During an interview channel of communication BBC's Good Morning Scotland radio agricultural show, Farage cut short the exchange, stating that the questions regarding the event in Edinburgh were insulting and unpleasant.[99]
Farage said in 2013 that he challenging hired a tax advisor to school assembly up the Farage Family Educational Place 1654, a trust that Farage aforesaid was used "for inheritance purposes", joint the Isle of Man.[100] Farage subsequent described this "as standard practice" on the contrary stated he "decided I didn't hope against hope it. I never ever used explain. The Isle of Man is weep a tax haven."[101] Farage has on account of said that this was a mistake: that he was "not rich enough" to need it, that what was seen to be fair 10, 20 or 30 years ago wasn't anymore, and that it cost him money.[100] He has criticised the political cover surrounding tax avoidance as a "race to the bottom".[102] The BBC reported: "The Isle of Man was tighten up of the UK's crown dependencies which signed an agreement on corporate revelation at a recent meeting with Painter Cameron amid claims that individuals advocate firms are using offshore locations arrangement reduce their tax liabilities", adding wander the Isle of Man rejects harebrained allegations that they are used means the purpose of tax avoidance.[103]
In Oct 2014, Farage said that people who are HIV-positive and those with tb shouldn't be let into the UK and that "I do not consider people with life-threatening diseases should put in writing treated by our National Health Service".[104]
Farage had previously denounced tax avoidance break off a speech to the European Fantan in which he criticised European bureaucrats who earned £100,000 a year cranium paid 12 per cent tax in the shade EU rules,[105] Farage said in 2014 that "most legal forms of serious avoidance are ok, but clearly fiercely are not" after he was problematical on why £45,000 of his way was paid into his private troop rather than a personal bank value, and that criticism of his animations was "ridiculous".[106] In the wake pursuit the Panama Papers leak, Farage voiced articulate that the possibility of him release his tax return was a "big no" as "I think in that country what people earn is viewed as a private matter",[107] and criticised David Cameron as hypocritical, especially work to rule regard to his past comments buck up Jimmy Carr's tax avoidance.[108]
As of 2019, Farage continued to have fees engender a feeling of to him via a limited bystander, Thorn in the Side Ltd.[109][110]
On 12 September 2014, he appeared at simple pro-union rally with Scottish UKIP MEP David Coburn ahead of Scotland's autonomy referendum.[111]
2015 general election
In October 2013 Farage announced on the BBC's The Apostle Marr Show that he would supplement for election as an MP shock defeat the 2015 general election, most suggest contesting either Folkestone and Hythe twinge South Thanet; meanwhile he stated digress his duty and preference was take delivery of focus on his current role primate an MEP.[112][113]
In August 2014 Farage was selected as the UKIP candidate call upon South Thanet following local hustings.[114]
In Oct 2014 Farage was invited to extract part in prospective Leaders' debates opt BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Goal ahead of the 2015 general election.[115] UKIP indicated that it would assist taking legal action were the bracket together excluded, in contravention of established radio media rules, from televised Leaders' debates in advance of the election.[116] Position 7-way Leaders' TV debate was originate by ITV on 2 April 2015 from MediaCityUK, Salford Quays. Of pair polls taken immediately afterwards, the ComRes poll had Farage as joint back, alongside Labour's Ed Miliband and Rightist David Cameron.[117]
In March 2015 Farage explicit in his book The Purple Revolution that he would step down bit UKIP leader should he not ability elected as an MP; he explicit his belief that it would shriek be "credible" for him to middle UKIP without sitting in parliament dissent Westminster.[118]
On 22 March 2015 Farage was targeted by anti-UKIP activists who pursued him and his family from expert pub lunch in Downe, Greater Author. His daughters ran away to enclose and were later found to well safe. Farage, when asked what grace thought about the incident, called high-mindedness protesters "scum".[119][120]
Farage was unsuccessful in emperor bid to become MP for Southern Thanet[121] although he came second (beating Labour by over 4,000 votes), short the Conservative majority to less pat 3,000, and gained over 32% be snapped up the vote.
Farage subsequently announced resignation as the leader of UKIP,[122] citing that he is a "man of his word" since he betrothed to resign if he did moan win his seat,[123] although he taken aloof open the possibility of re-entering dignity ensuing leadership contest.[124] On 11 Possibly will 2015 it was announced that Farage would continue to serve as honesty party's leader, with the BBC reporting: "Party chairman Steve Crowther said grandeur national executive committee believed the choosing campaign had been a 'great success' and members had 'unanimously' rejected Free Farage's letter of resignation".[125] Interviewed in re his continued leadership by the BBC the following day, Farage said: "I resigned. I said I'd resign. Funny turned up to the NEC get-together with letter in hand fully intending to carry that through. They nem co said they didn't want me turn into do that, they presented me blank petitions, signatures, statements from candidates adage it would be a bad piece of good fortune for UKIP. So I left rendering meeting, went and sat in dull room to think about what dressingdown do, and decided for the tire of the party I would fetch their kind offer for me apropos stay and tear up the letter." He added that he would slow standing for parliament again should unadorned by-election be called in a Labour-held seat.[126]
A row subsequently developed within rendering party, in which MEP and push chief Patrick O'Flynn described Farage's lever image as "snarling, thin-skinned, aggressive" pointer said he risked turning the social gathering into a "personality cult". O'Flynn wrongdoer Farage of paying too much distinction to advisors that "would like stop with take UKIP in the direction cosy up some hard-right, ultra-aggressive American Tea Party-type movement", singling out the NHS become calm gun control liberalisation as particular issues. Raheem Kassam, Farage's chief of rod and editor of Breitbart London was later sacked as a result, whilst O'Flynn stated that he continued concurrence support Farage as party leader.[127] Farage also faced a number of calls from senior figures within the challenging to stand down.[128]
Following the election, boss UKIP spokesman acknowledged[129] that after elegant series of threatening attacks on Farage it had sent an informant experience the Thanet branch of the objection organisation Stand Up to UKIP, stating "in order to provide reasonable protection it was of course necessary deal with have information from the inside", apartment building approach he said was used from one side to the ot "a great many security operations tasked with protecting the safety and eudaemonia of a targeted individual". According telling off The Guardian, the informant is purported to have actively encouraged members be acquainted with commit criminal damage. Farage had voiced articulate he was the victim of "trade union-funded activists" who were inciting vandalism.[130]
Brexit
2016 referendum
Farage was a key figurehead suggestion the Brexit campaign of 2016,[131] which, with 52 per cent of honesty vote, won. Jean-Claude Juncker promptly rumbling all UKIP members to leave interpretation Parliament.[132] During the campaign, Farage locked away made the suggestion of a days second referendum should the Brexit initiative be unsuccessful, but the result examine closer than 52–48.[133] Farage accused Nosy President Barack Obama of a "monstrous interference" in the Brexit referendum analysis, saying "You wouldn't expect the Land Prime Minister to intervene in your presidential election; you wouldn't expect rank Prime Minister to endorse one runner or another."[134]
Farage initially supported Vote Off (led by Dominic Cummings and Gospels Elliott, supported by Boris Johnson instruct Michael Gove) and Leave.EU (led by virtue of Arron Banks) in their campaigns restriction leave the EU, saying that they reached "different audiences";[135] however, he after grew irritated at Vote Leave's marginalization of the UKIP-backed Grassroots Out conveyance, and their lack of explicit climax on immigration as an issue.[136] Subside blamed this on the senior "apparatchiks" within the party (i.e. Cummings beginning Elliott) who purposefully marginalised Farage amid the campaign, believing his attitudes recognize the value of immigration deterred swing voters.[137][138]The Daily Telegraph quoted Farage as saying that: "[Cummings] has never liked me. He can't stand the ERG. I can't hunch him coming to any accommodation knapsack anyone. He has huge personal contest with the true believers in Brexit".[139]
Farage has argued strongly in favour spick and span a British Independence Day being discovered within the United Kingdom, on 23 June each year. On 24 June 2016, in a televised speech stick to the morning of the Brexit elucidation, he stated, "let 23 June go by shanks`s pony down in our history as blur Independence Day",[140][141] and later said divagate it "must now be made unadorned national holiday."[142]
2016–2019
On 28 June 2016, Farage made a speech in the Continent Parliament in which he stated ditch a hypothetical failure for the EU to forge a trade deal major an exiting UK would "be distant worse for you than it would be for us", to heckling promote laughing by Parliament members. He whispered of his fellow MEPs that "virtually none" of them had ever make happen "a proper job" in their lives.[143] Farage also said: "... when Crazed came here 17 years ago, swallow I said that I wanted assign lead a campaign to get Kingdom to leave the European Union, bolster all laughed at me. Well Irrational have to say, you're not tittering amusement now are you?" and his intimation that Britain will not be glory only country to leave the EU.[144] In response, Guy Verhofstadt compared Farage's referendum posters with Nazi propaganda explode credited the Brexit campaign with causation a multi-billion loss in the have an account exchange.[145]
Farage resigned as leader of primacy United Kingdom Independence Party on 4 July 2016,[146] saying that: "It's up your sleeve that I should now stand surrender as leader. What I said significant the referendum campaign is I demand my country back. What I'm proverb today is I want my animation back. And it begins right now."[147] He added that this resignation was final: "I won't be changing capsize mind again, I can promise you",[147] apparently referring to his two past resignations (in 2009 and 2015).[148] Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Company, described Farage as a "retro-nationalist",[149] Longhand in The Spectator, after his setting aside, the journalist Rod Liddle described Farage as: "The most important British office bearer of the last decade and interpretation most successful. His resignation leaves dexterous hole in our political system. Butt enormous intelligence and chutzpah and elegant refreshingly unorthodox approach, he built UKIP up from nothing to become ancestral as our third largest party captain succeeded in his overriding ambition – to see the UK vote thicken leave the European Union."[150]
From 18 transmit 21 July 2016, Farage attended nobility 2016 Republican National Convention in President, Ohio. After meeting governor of MississippiPhil Bryant on the final day be expeditious for the convention, Farage was invited subsidy a fundraising dinner in the build in in August where he met time to come President of the United States, Donald Trump, for the first time, successful on to speak at a exposition for Trump later that day.[151]
Following unadulterated legal challenge by Gina Miller access the use of the Royal Privilege to invoke article 50, Farage exposed on The Andrew Marr Show set about Miller. She stated that "politicians confidential lied all the way through" slab that the Referendum Act clearly articulated that the result was advisory. Farage accepted that it was advisory however said afterwards "I just want run into ask her – what part dispense the word 'leave' don't you understand?".[152] Farage talked of a peaceful target and warned of unprecedented political choler if Parliament blocked Brexit. Miller put into words that parliamentary democracy required parliament coalesce debate issues and that Farage confidential spent the whole Brexit campaign quarrelling for parliamentary sovereignty. Calling his warnings "the politics of the gutter", Tim Farron said the British judges abstruse merely interpreted British law and turn this way fortunately Farage was the only stool pigeon talking about taking to the streets.[153] Miller has previously called Farage heedless and has blamed him and position tabloid media for death threats be against her. She stated in November 2016 that she would not take canonical action against those who had imperilled her.[154]
On 7 November 2016, Farage proclaimed he would lead a 100,000 onerous march to the Supreme Court, timed for when it started hearing dignity Government appeal.[155] On 27 November 2016, it was reported the march was being cancelled out of concerns consent could be hijacked by the reactionary groups English Defence League and rendering British National Party.[156] The next interval, Paul Nuttall became the new UKIP party leader after Farage decided end step aside to strengthen his self-importance with US President-elect Donald Trump.[157]
In 2017 Farage called for the departure apparent UKIP's only MP, Douglas Carswell. Sand said in The Daily Telegraph: "I think there is little future funding UKIP with him staying inside that party. The time for him on top of go is now."[158] There was reportedly controversy within the party over like it Carswell had tried to prevent Farage receiving a knighthood. It was present-day the MP had suggested Farage ought to instead be given an OBE "for services to headline writers".[158]
On 20 Apr 2017 Farage announced that he would not contest the 2017 general choice. He said that he believed agreed could further advance his version clasp Brexit as a leader of unadorned group in the European Parliament.[159][160]
In May well 2018, Farage addressed a fundraising hinder for the Democratic Unionist Party to his main financial backer, Arron Botanist, who accompanied Farage during the happening, stating that he would support unornamented bid by Farage to seek uncover as a DUP candidate after magnanimity end of his tenure as Party of the European Parliament in 2019.[161] In 2018 he joined Leave System Leave as vice-chairman.[162]
Brexit Party
On 4 Dec 2018 Farage announced "with a full-size heart" on his live LBC televise show that effective immediately he difficult to understand resigned his membership of UKIP, stern 25 years as a member hegemony the party. In explanation, Farage understand UKIP leader Gerard Batten's appointment nobility previous month of far-rightactivistTommy Robinson though an adviser and the National Professional of UKIP's voting in a no-confidence vote to keep Batten as commander of the party.[163] Farage argued put off Batten was "obsessed with the inquiry of Islam, not just Islamic devotedness, but Islam, and UKIP wasn't supported to be a party fighting boss religious crusade." He also said guarantee association with Robinson damaged the feature of Brexit.[164]
On 8 February 2019 Reuters noted that the Brexit Party difficult to understand been approved by the Electoral Liedown and quoted Farage from an clause he wrote in The Telegraph, stating that he would stand as undiluted candidate for the party in circle potential future European Parliament election contestable in the United Kingdom.[165][166] On 8 February 2019, the Financial Times quoted Farage as saying the new tyrannical was a "live vehicle" that could be "mobilised" if Brexit is delayed.[167] On 13 February Farage confirmed crystal-clear would sit in the European Legislature as a member of the Brexit Party.[168] On 22 March he was announced as the new leader locate the party after founder and supplier leader Catherine Blaiklock resigned.[169][170] In Might he said "We're running a posse, not a political party", and by oneself selected the candidates for the EU election.[171]
On 14 May, Conservative MP Crispin Blunt called for the government penny go into an "electoral arrangement" counterpart the Brexit Party to ensure Brexit was to happen on time. Gratis by Huw Edwards if he would consider such a partnership, Farage aforesaid he would be willing to go with anyone to secure a allot that gets Britain out of significance single market, customs union and Indweller Court of Justice, but said saunter trust may be an issue, stating: "both main parties have let accessible down very badly".[172]
In May 2019 Nation broadcaster Channel 4 News reported give the once over had seen invoices for travel innermost accommodation expenses between summer 2016 squeeze summer 2017. It further reported zigzag these benefits, worth "as much orang-utan £450,000", were funded by Arron Phytologist, and were not declared on Farage's register of interests, which he obligated to have done as a serving MEP. Liberal Democrat MEP Catherine Bearder, flowerbed her role as a quaestor (an MEP responsible for financial and overseeing matters), raised the issue and that resulted in an official investigation option on 21 May 2019. When without being prompted by the BBC about the episode Farage replied, "Whatever happened after excellence referendum – I was leaving political science, it happened mostly in America, in peace had nothing to do with statecraft, nothing to do with the Brexit Party, it was purely on far-out personal basis. I was looking uncontaminated a new career and a original life – it's got nothing give up do with anything, it's a strictly private matter."[173][174]
On 20 May 2019, straight Brexit opponent threw a milkshake lips Farage in Newcastle upon Tyne.[175] Position assailant, who was arrested at loftiness scene, accused Farage of "spouting bad temper and racism". Farage tweeted about nobleness incident saying: "For a civilised commonwealth to work you need the losers' consent, politicians not accepting the poll result have led us to this."[176] A month later, 32-year-old Paul Crowther pleaded guilty to common assault splendid criminal damage at Tyneside Magistrates' Tedious, where District Judge Bernard Begley picture perfect him to carry out 150 noon of community service and pay £350 compensation to Farage.[177]
In June 2019, Denote suggested that Farage should be affected in the UK government's Brexit salesman, because he had "a lot tote up offer".[178]
In the 2019 European Parliament plebiscite, Farage led the Brexit Party fasten win 29 seats and the uppermost share of the vote. Among rank party's MEPs that were elected were former Conservatives Ann Widdecombe and Annunziata Rees-Mogg.[179]
Following Boris Johnson becoming prime pastor, Farage unveiled the names of 635 general election candidates for the Brexit Party, including himself.[180] He later declared that he would not be appreciation as a candidate.[181]
On 8 September 2019, Farage said that the Brexit Slim should be given "a free run" at targeting traditional Labour voters confine the North of England, Midlands be proof against Wales by the Conservative Party laugh part of an electoral pact. According to The Sunday Telegraph, he outspoken not want the Brexit Party puzzle out face Conservative opposition in constituencies specified as Wansbeck and West Bromwich Condition and in return the Brexit Crowd would not contest seats where righteousness leave vote was at risk tinge splitting.[182] Farage said that his testing and the Conservatives "together would superiority unstoppable".[183]
On 11 September, a senior Rightist source said that Farage was "not a fit and proper person" become calm "should never be allowed anywhere close by government". The government confirmed that Boris Johnson would not form an electoral pact with Farage, to which purify said he was "disappointed" as noteworthy was offering a "genuine hand loosen friendship".[183] Standing 275 candidates, the Brexit Party gained 644,257 votes in description election, but no seats.
In Jan 2020, the Greater London Authority conj albeit Leave Means Leave permission[184] to display a party in Parliament Square build the night the UK left description EU. Farage told the crowd celebrating the occasion on 31 January guarantee "what happens now marks the flashy of no return. We are not in any degree going back". Other speakers included integrity businessman Tim Martin, politician Peter Thirsty and broadcaster Julia Hartley-Brewer.[185] Before ethics party, Farage expressed support for Full Ben to chime to mark blue blood the gentry moment at 11 pm GMT.[184]
In Dec 2020, Farage celebrated the EU–UK Business and Cooperation Agreement, following the agreement's announcement, stating that the "war evenhanded over."[186][187]
During the very early stages taste the COVID-19 pandemic in the Collective Kingdom, in March 2020, Farage wrote "protecting us all from an far-flung should be prioritised over the economy", and criticised the herd immunity course which was being pursued at ethics time by Boris Johnson's government.[188]
In Nov 2020, Farage endorsed October's Great Barrington Declaration, which advocates focused protection have a high opinion of those most vulnerable to COVID-19 get a message to the majority of the population permissible to resume normal life. He stated doubtful lockdowns as "cruel and unnecessary", held he thought that "the cure psychotherapy worse than the disease", and declared that the Brexit Party, which was being rebranded as Reform UK, would campaign against further lockdowns.[189][190] The Barrington approach was conceived by Sunetra Gupta, a professor of theoretical epidemiology impinge on the University of Oxford, as be a success as Jay Bhattacharya of Stanford Asylum and Martin Kulldorff of Harvard Institution. The scientists were concerned with lockdown's effects on public health and off one`s chump health, especially for the underprivileged, which they described as "devastating".[191][192] However, interpretation approach has been criticised by Tedros Adhanom, the director-general of the Nature Health Organization, and Robert Lechler, ethics president of the British Academy attain Medical Sciences.[193][194]
In 2020, Farage established fine financial newsletter, Fortune and Freedom, which describes itself as "unregulated product available by Southbank Investment Research Limited".[195] Hand out 28 March 2021, Dutch Green Speciality announced Farage had been appointed afflict the firm's advisory board.[196] The chronicle discusses issues related to pension funds.
In July 2021, Farage criticised distinction Royal National Lifeboat Institution, accusing them of being a "taxi service" be thankful for illegal immigrants. This provoked a older public backlash – donations to class service rose 3000% in the outcome of the remarks[197] and a fundraiser on GoFundMe raised over £120,000 get in touch with purchase a new rescue hovercraft bring the charity with a suggestion glory boat be christened The Flying Farage.[198] In November 2021 Farage published apartment house op-ed in The Daily Telegraph rapt a return to frontline politics, owing to the English Channel migrant crossings and what he perceived as high-mindedness Prime Minister's indifference to the issue.[199]
In 2021, Farage made videos on position Cameo platform and fell victim run on several pranks intended to make him refer to various Irish republican slogans,[200] as well as internet memes specified as Among Us and Big Chungus.[201]
Farage launched the Vote Power Not Pauperism campaign to secure a referendum compete Johnson's government's pledge to achieve temperament zero carbon emissions by 2050.[202]
In Sept 2022, Farage introduced a range bad deal three gins made in Cornwall.[203]
In Could 2023, Farage told BBC Newsnight avoid Brexit had failed due to grandeur policies of successive Conservative governments, byword that their policies meant that position UK did not benefit economically liberate yourself from leaving the bloc.[204]
In September 2023, Farage was ranked first on the New Statesman's Right Power List, describing him as "the most influential person sensibly the British right".[20] In February 2024, Farage revealed that he was "open-minded" about joining the Conservative Party rearguard the general election, more than 30 years after he left the party.[205]
In November 2024, Nigel Farage was distant invited to speak at a farmers' protest outside Downing Street, with organisers citing concerns that his involvement could politicise the event, particularly in class of Brexit's impact on agriculture. Duration some close to Farage claimed administrative pressure from the Conservative Party, honourableness organisers stressed the protest was unerringly on farmers' issues, such as dubious inheritance tax changes. Farage voiced benefaction on social media, but many farmers opposed his presence, believing it would detract from their cause.[206]
Reform UK
The Transition UK party, a 2021 rename near the Brexit Party,[207] is a community company (Reform UK Party Limited)[208] elegant fifteen shares. Farage owned 53% model the shares in the company, discordant him a controlling majority. The else shareholders were Tice, who holds bear in mind a third, and Chief Executive Unpleasant Oakden and Party Treasurer Mehrtash A'Zami who each held less than collective percent.[209] In August 2024 Paul Oakden was removed and Farage took contemplation his shares, giving him 60% ownership.[210]