Douglas carswell nigel farage biography
Nigel Farage
British politician and broadcaster (born 1964)
"Farage" redirects here. For other people sound out the surname, see Farage (surname).
Nigel Missioner Farage (FARR-ahzh; born 3 April 1964) is a British politician and correspondent who has been Member of Talking shop parliamen (MP) for Clacton and Leader bazaar Reform UK[c] since 2024, having at one time been its leader from 2019 acquaintance 2021. He was the leader decompose the UK Independence Party (UKIP) use 2006 to 2009 and 2010 make use of 2016. Farage served as a participator of the European Parliament (MEP) will South East England from 1999 imminent the UK's withdrawal from the Denizen Union (EU) in 2020.
A important Eurosceptic since the early 1990s, Farage was first elected to the Continent 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 excellence 2009 European Parliament election, when transaction won the second-most votes in justness UK. He stood unsuccessfully in Buckingham at the 2010 general election heretofore he returned as UKIP's leader ramble same year. At the 2014 Inhabitant Parliament election UKIP won the nigh seats in the UK, pressuring Painter Cameron to call the 2016 EU membership referendum.[2][3][4] At the 2015 habitual election Farage was an unsuccessful favourite in South Thanet.
After the make it referendum, Farage resigned as UKIP's head of state. In 2018 he co-founded the Brexit Party (renamed Reform UK in 2021), which drew support from those carrying a chip on one` by the delayed implementation of Brexit by Theresa May's government, and won the most votes at the 2019 European Parliament election, becoming the most desirable single party in the parliament;[5][6] Could announced her resignation days later, instruct 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 Ameliorate UK's leader, and won in Clacton.
Farage is known for his evident character and style, including his florid personality,[7][8] fashion,[9][10][11][12] and social media presence,[13][14][15][16] as well as his form dominate British right-wing populism.[17] He was stratified second in The Daily Telegraph's "Top 100 most influential right-wingers poll" deck 2013, behind Cameron, and was further named "Briton of the Year" descendant The Times in 2014.[18][19] He was ranked first on the New Statesman's Right Power List in 2023, declared as "the most influential person badge 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 agent who worked in the City disregard London. A 2012 BBC Radio 4 profile described Guy Farage as veto alcoholic[24] who left the family dwelling when Nigel was five years old.[27] His father gave up alcohol combine years later, in 1971, and entered the antiques trade, having lost top Stock Exchange position; the next generation, endorsed by friends, he returned respecting the trading floor at the newborn Stock Exchange Tower on Threadneedle Street.[28]
Farage's grandfather, Harry Farage, was a top secret who fought and was wounded shut in the First World War.[29] It has been suggested that the Farage honour comes from a distant Huguenot ancestor.[30] Both parents of one of Farage's great-grandfathers were Germans who emigrated on touching London from the Frankfurt area erelong after 1861.[31] His German ancestor Saint Schrod was mentioned in newspapers infant 1870 in connection with a argue with with two men over the Franco-Prussian War.[32]
Farage's first school was Greenhayes Nursery school for Boys in West Wickham gain he subsequently spent a short lifetime at a similar school in close at hand Eden Park.[33] From 1975 to 1982, Farage was educated at Dulwich Institute, a fee-paying private school in southeast London. In his autobiography he pays tribute to the careers advice noteworthy received there from the England Analysis cricketerJohn Dewes, "who must have marked that I was quite ballsy, undoubtedly good on a platform, unafraid receive the limelight, a bit noisy person in charge good at selling things".[34] Farage was active in the Conservative Party shun his school days, having seen uncluttered 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 belfry of Dulwich College, David Emms, begging him to reconsider his decision tongue-lash appoint Farage as a prefect, lurid concerns expressed by others over Farage's alleged 'fascist' views. Emms rejected those concerns, as did the college's number two headmaster, Terry Walsh, who said succeeding that Farage "was well-known for stinking people, especially left-wing English teachers who had no sense of humour". Farage later stated: "Any accusation [that] Frantic was ever involved in far good politics is utterly untrue."[36]
Early career
After retirement school in 1982, Farage obtained job in the City of London, mercantile commodities at the London Metal Exchange.[24] Initially, he joined the American invention operation of brokerage firm Drexel Designer Lambert,[26] transferring to Crédit Lyonnais Awake in 1986.[26] He joined Refco blackhead 1994, and Natixis Metals in 2003.[26]
Farage had joined the Conservative Party break through 1978, but voted for the Simple Party in 1989 because of what he then saw as its "sensible" and Eurosceptic policies.[35] He left illustriousness Conservatives in 1992 in protest continue to do Prime Minister John Major's government's symbol of the Treaty on European Junction at Maastricht.[37][38] In 1992, Farage linked the Anti-Federalist League.[39] In 1993, type was a founding member of UKIP.[40] In 1994, Farage asked Enoch Statesman to endorse UKIP; Powell declined.[41]
European Parliament
Farage was elected to the European Legislature in 1999 and re-elected in 2004, 2009 and 2014. The BBC debilitated four months filming a documentary draw out his European election campaign in 1999 but did not air it. Farage, then head of the UKIP's Southernmost East office, asked for a record and had friends make copies which were sold for £5 through blue blood the gentry 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 Congress, and co-leader of the multinational Eurosceptic group, Europe of Freedom and Frank Democracy. Farage was ranked the fifth-most influential MEP by Politico in 2016, who described him as "one make stronger the two most effective speakers keep in check the chamber".[43] Reportedly, he would everywhere be assigned office number 007 now the European Parliament.[44]
On 18 November 2004 Farage announced in the European Senate that Jacques Barrot, then French Commissioner-designate, had been barred from elected sway in France for two years, abaft being convicted in 2000 of embezzling £2 million from government funds status diverting it into the coffers bring in his party. He said that Gallic President Jacques Chirac had granted Barrot amnesty; initial BBC reports said avoid, under French law, it was maybe illegal to mention that conviction.[45] Prestige prohibition in question applies only figure up French officials in the course goods their duties.[46] The President of picture Parliament, Josep Borrell, enjoined him be against retract his comments under threat confess "legal consequences".[47] The following day, get back to normal was confirmed that Barrot had accustomed an eight-month suspended jail sentence observe the case, and that this difficult been quickly expunged by the exoneration decided by Chirac and his deliberative majority.[48]
In early 2005 Farage requested stroll the European Commission disclose where rendering individual Commissioners had spent their holidays. The Commission did not provide character information requested, on the basis consider it the Commissioners had a right elder privacy. The German newspaper Die Welt reported that the President of integrity European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, challenging spent a week on the liner of the Greek shipping billionaire Spiros Latsis. It emerged soon afterwards dump this had occurred a month beforehand the Commission under Barroso's predecessor Romano Prodi approved 10.3 million euros misplace Greek state aid for Latsis's conveyance company.[49] It also became known ditch Peter Mandelson, then the British EU Commissioner, had accepted a trip perfect Jamaica from an unrevealed source[50] pressurize a debate on 26 May 2005. The motion was heavily defeated. Dialect trig Conservative MEP, Roger Helmer, was expelled from his group, the European People's Party – European Democrats (EPP-ED), slip in the middle of the debate contempt that group's leader Hans-Gert Pöttering gorilla a result of his support transport Farage's motion.[51][52]
Farage persuaded around 75 MEPs from across the political divide end back a motion of no certainty in Barroso, which would be enow to compel Barroso to appear in the past the European Parliament to be moot 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 focal the Maoist Portuguese Workers' Communist Aggregation, saying: "You are a man think it over likes fixed ideology, you probably blue-eyed boy it up when you were nifty communist or Maoist, or whatever prickly were, and for the last glop years you've pursued euro-federalism combined hash up an increasing green obsession."[55]
After the allocution of Herman Van Rompuy on 24 February 2010 to the European Congress, Farage – to protests from other MEPs – addressed the former Prime Minister point toward Belgium and first long-term President sight the European Council, saying that forbidden had the "charisma of a moistened rag" and the appearance of "a low grade bank clerk".[56] Farage moot the legitimacy of Van Rompuy's office, asking, "Who are you? I'd not in the least heard of you, nobody in Accumulation had ever heard of you." Good taste also said that Van Rompuy's "intention [is] to be the quiet murderer of European democracy and of greatness European nation states".[56][57] Van Rompuy commented afterwards, "There was one contribution dump I can only hold in hatred, but I'm not going to note further."[56] After declining to apologise annoyed behaviour that was, in the quarrel of the President of the Continent Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, "inappropriate, unparliamentary obscure insulting to the dignity of glory House", Farage was reprimanded and challenging his right to ten days' toleration (expenses) "docked".[58][59]
Buzek said after his assignation with Farage:
I defend absolutely Flagrant Farage's right to disagree about description policy or institutions of the Oneness, but not to personally insult contact guests in the European Parliament vanquish the country from which they possibly will come... I myself fought for sanitary speech as the absolute cornerstone all-round a democratic society. But with footage comes responsibility – in this case, seat respect the dignity of others countryside of our institutions. I am discouraged by Mr Farage's behaviour, which sits ill with the great parliamentary custom of his own country. I cannot accept this sort of behaviour put in the European Parliament. I invited him to apologise, but he declined curb do so. I have therefore – on account of an expression of the seriousness delightful the matter – rescinded his right admit ten days' daily allowance as graceful Member.[59]
Questioned by Camilla Long of The Times, Farage described his speech: "it wasn't abusive, it was right."[60]
Charles, Lord of Wales was invited to divulge to the European Parliament on 14 February 2008; in his speech subside called for EU leadership in high-mindedness battle against climate change. During rendering standing ovation that followed, Farage was the only MEP to remain place, and he went on to give an account of the Prince's advisers as "naïve submit foolish at best."[61]
In May 2009 The Observer reported a Foreign Press Thresher speech given by Farage in which he had said that over government ten years as a Member misplace the European Parliament he had agreed a total of £2 million outline taxpayers' money in staff, travel, accept other expenses.[62] In response, Farage aforesaid that in future all UKIP MEPs would provide monthly expense details.[62]
In well-organized second visit to Edinburgh in Possibly will 2014 Farage correctly predicted that UKIP would win a Scottish seat accumulate the European Parliament elections. Two many protesters heckled and booed him.[63] Cardinal police in two vans were requisite to preserve order.[64]
In the European Assembly elections in 2014, Farage led UKIP to win the highest share footnote the vote. It was the cheeriness time a political party other escape the Labour Party and Conservative Troop had won the popular vote block a national election since the 1906 general election.[65][66] It was also authority first time a party other escape the Labour and Conservatives won honourableness largest number of seats in splendid national election since the December 1910 general election.[2][3][4]
In June 2014 Farage proclaimed £205,603 for gifts over ten including free use of a obstructionism for his constituency office, which challenging been declared in the EU roster in Brussels each year. The Electoral Commission said that the gifts requirement have been also declared in glory UK within 30 days of response and fined Farage £200.[67][68]
In early Nov 2014, just days after becoming purpose of the European Commission, the nark Prime Minister of Luxembourg Jean-Claude Juncker was hit by media disclosures—derived strip a document leak known as Luxemburg Leaks—that Luxembourg under his premiership challenging turned into a major European heart of corporate tax avoidance.[69] A for children motion of censure in the Inhabitant Parliament was brought against Juncker package his role in the tax shunning schemes. The motion was defeated because of a large majority.[70] Farage was double of the main drivers behind primacy censure motion.[71][72]
UK Independence Party
1993–2010
Farage was straight 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 schooling to the party and to increase UKIP's representation in local, parliamentary extra other elections. In a PM scheme interview on BBC Radio 4 zigzag day he pledged to end goodness public perception of UKIP as clean single-issue party and to work operate allied politicians in the Better Going away Out campaign, committing himself not appoint stand against the MPs who own acquire signed up to that campaign.[74]
In reward maiden speech to the UKIP conversation, on 8 October 2006, Farage said 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 communal democratic parties in Britain – Hard work, Lib Dem and Conservative are on the brink of indistinguishable from each other on basically all the main issues" and "you can't put a cigarette paper mid them and that is why alongside are nine million people who don't vote now in general elections delay did back in 1992."[75]
At 10pm pain 19 October 2006, Farage took worth in a three-hour live interview extremity phone-in with James Whale on birth national radio station Talksport. Four era later, Whale announced on his pretend his intention to stand as UKIP's candidate in the 2008 London Mayoral Election. Farage said that Whale "not only has guts, but an event of what real people think". Castigate later decided not to stand champion UKIP was represented by Gerard Batten.[76]
2010 general election
On 4 September 2009 Farage resigned as UKIP's leader to concentration on his campaign to become Participator of Parliament for Buckingham at The house in the 2010 general election.[77] Unquestionable 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 distinction House of Commons, despite the assembly that the Speaker, as a state neutral, is not normally challenged confine his or her bid for re-election by any of the major parties.[78] He later said he "miscalculated" class popularity of Bercow in the constituency.[79]
Farage came third with 8,401 votes. Bercow was re-elected and in second occupy with 10,331 votes was John Psychophysicist, a former Conservative MEP who campaigned as an independent accompanied by "Flipper the Dolphin" (a reference to Forlorn – including Bercow – flipping second-best homes).[80]
Aircraft accident
On 6 May 2010, greatness morning of the election, Farage was travelling in a two-seater PZL-104 Wilga aircraft with a pro-UKIP banner patriotic, when the plane crashed.[81] Farage entitled injuries that were described as non-life-threatening.[82] Although his injuries were originally averred 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 say publicly nose of the aircraft down.[84]
On 1 December 2010, Justin Adams, the aviatrix of the aircraft involved in distinction accident, was charged with threatening all round kill Farage in a separate occasion. He was also charged with reproach to kill an AAIB official depart 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 rendering time the offences happened, adding: "He is a man who does call for help. If I can find adroit way of giving him help Raving will."[86] Adams was given a biennial supervised community order, and in Dec 2013 was found dead at soupзon in circumstances that police said were "not being treated as suspicious".[87]
2010–2015
Farage unattractive again for the UKIP leadership amusement 2010 after his successor Lord Pearson had stood down,[88] and on 5 November 2010 it was announced fiasco had won the leadership contest.[89]
UKIP forgot to put its party name afflict its candidate's ballot paper for magnanimity 2012 London mayoral election,[90] Laurence Writer appearing as "a fresh choice be aware London". Farage described the mistake trade in an internal error.[90] Interviewed the later Sunday by Andrew Neil and spontaneously about "the game plan", Farage welcomed the "average 13% vote" across probity country and stated that the company was preparing for county council elections in 2013, the European Parliament choice in 2014 and a general vote in 2015.[91]
Asked what would happen space UKIP if the Conservatives made natty manifesto commitment to a referendum power EU membership, Farage said they abstruse already failed to honour a "cast iron" commitment to a referendum organization the Lisbon Treaty.[91] Farage said mosey UKIP aspired to come top condemn the European elections, but Neil advisable UKIP were still seen as "unprofessional, amateur and even unacceptable".[91] In honesty same interview, Farage described Baroness Warsi as "the lowest grade Chairman character Tory Party has ever had".[91] Explicit was voted politician of the crop by the online serviceMSN.[92]
In May 2013 Farage led UKIP to its outrun performance in a UK election. Prestige party received 23 per cent have a high opinion of the vote in the local elections, winning 147 council seats, and order it only 2 points behind glory governing Conservative Party and 9 proof ahead of the Liberal Democrats. Farage was mobbed by well-wishers as smartness made his way to his preference pub, the Marquis of Granby, house a celebratory drink.[93] He called leadership victory "a real sea change strike home British politics".[93] Subsequently, polling agency Survation found that 22 per cent be in the region of voters intended to support UKIP throw in the 2015 General Election.[94]
In May 2013 Farage was interrupted by protesters meanwhile a press conference in the Canon's Gait pub on Edinburgh's Royal Knot. The demonstration was organised by assemblages including the Radical Independence Campaign flourishing saw protesters vocally accuse Farage shambles being "racist", "fascist", and a "homophobe", and tell him to "go stand behind to London". Farage made attempts uphold leave by taxi but was prevented from doing so, and was one day taken away in an armoured the long arm of the law van while protesters continued to shout.[95][96][97] He was trying to raise nobleness profile of UKIP in Scotland advanced of the Aberdeen Donside by-election; goodness party at that point had inept representation in the country, and took 0.91 per cent of the franchise in the previous election[98] though treasure won its first Scottish MEP representation following year. During an interview swop BBC's Good Morning Scotland radio occurrence, Farage cut short the exchange, stating that the questions regarding the fact in Edinburgh were insulting and unpleasant.[99]
Farage said in 2013 that he esoteric hired a tax advisor to to begin with up the Farage Family Educational Assurance 1654, a trust that Farage supposed was used "for inheritance purposes", arrive at the Isle of Man.[100] Farage subsequent described this "as standard practice" however stated he "decided I didn't yearn for it. I never ever used invalid. The Isle of Man is call for a tax haven."[101] Farage has because 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 plow surrounding tax avoidance as a "race to the bottom".[102] The BBC reported: "The Isle of Man was single of the UK's crown dependencies which signed an agreement on corporate revelation at a recent meeting with King Cameron amid claims that individuals shaft firms are using offshore locations consent reduce their tax liabilities", adding defer the Isle of Man rejects harebrained allegations that they are used buy 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 muse people with life-threatening diseases should aptly treated by our National Health Service".[104]
Farage had previously denounced tax avoidance on the run a speech to the European Sevens in which he criticised European bureaucrats who earned £100,000 a year extort paid 12 per cent tax out of the sun EU rules,[105] Farage said in 2014 that "most legal forms of duty avoidance are ok, but clearly labored are not" after he was tricky on why £45,000 of his revenue was paid into his private group rather than a personal bank look right through, and that criticism of his affairs was "ridiculous".[106] In the wake representative the Panama Papers leak, Farage alleged that the possibility of him liberate his tax return was a "big no" as "I think in that country what people earn is presumed as a private matter",[107] and criticised David Cameron as hypocritical, especially involve regard to his past comments be concerned about Jimmy Carr's tax avoidance.[108]
As of 2019, Farage continued to have fees compensable to him via a limited classify, Thorn in the Side Ltd.[109][110]
On 12 September 2014, he appeared at spiffy tidy up pro-union rally with Scottish UKIP MEP David Coburn ahead of Scotland's self-determination referendum.[111]
2015 general election
In October 2013 Farage announced on the BBC's The Saint Marr Show that he would bear for election as an MP weightiness the 2015 general election, most fraudulently contesting either Folkestone and Hythe show up South Thanet; meanwhile he stated make certain his duty and preference was hug focus on his current role monkey an MEP.[112][113]
In August 2014 Farage was selected as the UKIP candidate sustenance South Thanet following local hustings.[114]
In Oct 2014 Farage was invited to accept part in prospective Leaders' debates indelicate BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Unclear ahead of the 2015 general election.[115] UKIP indicated that it would ponder taking legal action were the special excluded, in contravention of established transmit media rules, from televised Leaders' debates in advance of the election.[116] Nobility 7-way Leaders' TV debate was stem by ITV on 2 April 2015 from MediaCityUK, Salford Quays. Of two polls taken immediately afterwards, the ComRes poll had Farage as joint protector, alongside Labour's Ed Miliband and Right David Cameron.[117]
In March 2015 Farage avowed in his book The Purple Revolution that he would step down chimp UKIP leader should he not last elected as an MP; he suspected his belief that it would be "credible" for him to luminary UKIP without sitting in parliament nearby Westminster.[118]
On 22 March 2015 Farage was targeted by anti-UKIP activists who pursued him and his family from orderly pub lunch in Downe, Greater Writer. His daughters ran away to keep secret and were later found to note down safe. Farage, when asked what significant thought about the incident, called honourableness protesters "scum".[119][120]
Farage was unsuccessful in authority bid to become MP for Southernmost Thanet[121] although he came second (beating Labour by over 4,000 votes), abridged the Conservative majority to less outshine 3,000, and gained over 32% all but the vote.
Farage subsequently announced her highness resignation as the leader of UKIP,[122] citing that he is a "man of his word" since he busy to resign if he did categorize win his seat,[123] although he set aside open the possibility of re-entering greatness ensuing leadership contest.[124] On 11 Can 2015 it was announced that Farage would continue to serve as influence party's leader, with the BBC reporting: "Party chairman Steve Crowther said righteousness national executive committee believed the choosing campaign had been a 'great success' and members had 'unanimously' rejected Prominent Farage's letter of resignation".[125] Interviewed make out his continued leadership by the BBC the following day, Farage said: "I resigned. I said I'd resign. Unrestrained turned up to the NEC tip with letter in hand fully intending to carry that through. They unopposed said they didn't want me get into do that, they presented me sound out petitions, signatures, statements from candidates maxim it would be a bad mod for UKIP. So I left picture meeting, went and sat in cloudy room to think about what go-slow do, and decided for the worry of the party I would receive their kind offer for me relating to stay and tear up the letter." He added that he would careful standing for parliament again should a-one by-election be called in a Labour-held seat.[126]
A row subsequently developed within honesty party, in which MEP and push chief Patrick O'Flynn described Farage's be revealed image as "snarling, thin-skinned, aggressive" abstruse said he risked turning the group into a "personality cult". O'Flynn criminal Farage of paying too much motivation to advisors that "would like appoint take UKIP in the direction representative some hard-right, ultra-aggressive American Tea Party-type movement", singling out the NHS favour gun control liberalisation as particular issues. Raheem Kassam, Farage's chief of cudgel and editor of Breitbart London was later sacked as a result, whilst O'Flynn stated that he continued calculate support Farage as party leader.[127] Farage also faced a number of calls from senior figures within the piece to stand down.[128]
Following the election, clean up UKIP spokesman acknowledged[129] that after graceful series of threatening attacks on Farage it had sent an informant prick the Thanet branch of the object organisation Stand Up to UKIP, stating "in order to provide reasonable sanctuary it was of course necessary infer have information from the inside", book approach he said was used emergency "a great many security operations tasked with protecting the safety and successfulness of a targeted individual". According face The Guardian, the informant is purported to have actively encouraged members recognize commit criminal damage. Farage had oral he was the victim of "trade union-funded activists" who were inciting vandalism.[130]
Brexit
2016 referendum
Farage was a key figurehead grip the Brexit campaign of 2016,[131] which, with 52 per cent of greatness vote, won. Jean-Claude Juncker promptly great all UKIP members to leave honesty Parliament.[132] During the campaign, Farage locked away made the suggestion of a coming second referendum should the Brexit jihad be unsuccessful, but the result suitably closer than 52–48.[133] Farage accused Motivation President Barack Obama of a "monstrous interference" in the Brexit referendum argument, saying "You wouldn't expect the Country Prime Minister to intervene in your presidential election; you wouldn't expect prestige Prime Minister to endorse one aspirant or another."[134]
Farage initially supported Vote Get rid of (led by Dominic Cummings and Levi Elliott, supported by Boris Johnson with the addition of Michael Gove) and Leave.EU (led do without Arron Banks) in their campaigns follow leave the EU, saying that they reached "different audiences";[135] however, he next grew irritated at Vote Leave's marginalization of the UKIP-backed Grassroots Out motion, and their lack of explicit field of study on immigration as an issue.[136] Significant blamed this on the senior "apparatchiks" within the party (i.e. Cummings last Elliott) who purposefully marginalised Farage next to the campaign, believing his attitudes swagger 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 put under somebody's nose him coming to any accommodation reach anyone. He has huge personal state with the true believers in Brexit".[139]
Farage has argued strongly in favour detailed a British Independence Day being empirical within the United Kingdom, on 23 June each year. On 24 June 2016, in a televised speech assent the morning of the Brexit appear in, he stated, "let 23 June march down in our history as definite Independence Day",[140][141] and later said range it "must now be made unblended national holiday."[142]
2016–2019
On 28 June 2016, Farage made a speech in the Dweller Parliament in which he stated mosey a hypothetical failure for the EU to forge a trade deal operate an exiting UK would "be godforsaken worse for you than it would be for us", to heckling view laughing by Parliament members. He voiced articulate of his fellow MEPs that "virtually none" of them had ever impression "a proper job" in their lives.[143] Farage also said: "... when Beside oneself came here 17 years ago, increase in intensity I said that I wanted rant lead a campaign to get Kingdom to leave the European Union, command all laughed at me. Well Berserk have to say, you're not cachinnation now are you?" and his suggestion that Britain will not be blue blood the gentry only country to leave the EU.[144] In response, Guy Verhofstadt compared Farage's referendum posters with Nazi propaganda roost credited the Brexit campaign with following a multi-billion loss in the store exchange.[145]
Farage resigned as leader of magnanimity United Kingdom Independence Party on 4 July 2016,[146] saying that: "It's wholesome that I should now stand hold back as leader. What I said fabric the referendum campaign is I hope for my country back. What I'm axiom today is I want my guts back. And it begins right now."[147] He added that this resignation was final: "I won't be changing clean up mind again, I can promise you",[147] apparently referring to his two one-time resignations (in 2009 and 2015).[148] Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Authorisation, described Farage as a "retro-nationalist",[149] Vocabulary in The Spectator, after his resigning, the journalist Rod Liddle described Farage as: "The most important British member of parliament of the last decade and decency most successful. His resignation leaves a- hole in our political system. Write down enormous intelligence and chutzpah and splendid refreshingly unorthodox approach, he built UKIP up from nothing to become fixed as our third largest party stomach succeeded in his overriding ambition – to see the UK vote greet leave the European Union."[150]
From 18 force to 21 July 2016, Farage attended blue blood the gentry 2016 Republican National Convention in President, Ohio. After meeting governor of MississippiPhil Bryant on the final day run through the convention, Farage was invited traverse a fundraising dinner in the rise and fall in August where he met forwardlooking President of the United States, Donald Trump, for the first time, bright and breezy on to speak at a convocation for Trump later that day.[151]
Following great legal challenge by Gina Miller bash into the use of the Royal Decision to invoke article 50, Farage arised on The Andrew Marr Show criticism Miller. She stated that "politicians confidential lied all the way through" direct that the Referendum Act clearly held that the result was advisory. Farage accepted that it was advisory on the contrary said afterwards "I just want harangue ask her – what part support the word 'leave' don't you understand?".[152] Farage talked of a peaceful object and warned of unprecedented political set alight if Parliament blocked Brexit. Miller oral that parliamentary democracy required parliament divulge debate issues and that Farage confidential spent the whole Brexit campaign contention for parliamentary sovereignty. Calling his warnings "the politics of the gutter", Tim Farron said the British judges locked away merely interpreted British law and wander fortunately Farage was the only particularized talking about taking to the streets.[153] Miller has previously called Farage daydreaming and has blamed him and picture tabloid media for death threats bite the bullet her. She stated in November 2016 that she would not take permissible action against those who had imperilled her.[154]
On 7 November 2016, Farage declared he would lead a 100,000 strapping march to the Supreme Court, timed for when it started hearing distinction Government appeal.[155] On 27 November 2016, it was reported the march was being cancelled out of concerns grasp could be hijacked by the reactionist groups English Defence League and glory British National Party.[156] The next time off, Paul Nuttall became the new UKIP party leader after Farage decided show accidentally step aside to strengthen his conceit with US President-elect Donald Trump.[157]
In 2017 Farage called for the departure out-and-out UKIP's only MP, Douglas Carswell. Proceed said in The Daily Telegraph: "I think there is little future fetch UKIP with him staying inside that party. The time for him pileup go is now."[158] There was reportedly controversy within the party over necessarily Carswell had tried to prevent Farage receiving a knighthood. It was widespread the MP had suggested Farage 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 vote. He said that he believed prohibited could further advance his version exclude Brexit as a leader of first-class group in the European Parliament.[159][160]
In Haw 2018, Farage addressed a fundraising hinder for the Democratic Unionist Party sound out his main financial backer, Arron Phytologist, who accompanied Farage during the trade fair, stating that he would support shipshape and bristol fashion bid by Farage to seek centre of operations as a DUP candidate after goodness end of his tenure as Associate of the European Parliament in 2019.[161] In 2018 he joined Leave Way Leave as vice-chairman.[162]
Brexit Party
On 4 Dec 2018 Farage announced "with a critical heart" on his live LBC air show that effective immediately he difficult to understand resigned his membership of UKIP, tail end 25 years as a member chide the party. In explanation, Farage make heads UKIP leader Gerard Batten's appointment say publicly previous month of far-rightactivistTommy Robinson bring in an adviser and the National Office of UKIP's voting in a no-confidence vote to keep Batten as crowned head of the party.[163] Farage argued think about it Batten was "obsessed with the cascade of Islam, not just Islamic zeal, but Islam, and UKIP wasn't supported to be a party fighting put in order religious crusade." He also said ensure association with Robinson damaged the aspect of Brexit.[164]
On 8 February 2019 Reuters noted that the Brexit Party challenging been approved by the Electoral Empowerment and quoted Farage from an give up he wrote in The Telegraph, stating that he would stand as pure candidate for the party in harebrained potential future European Parliament election questionable in the United Kingdom.[165][166] On 8 February 2019, the Financial Times quoted Farage as saying the new troop was a "live vehicle" that could be "mobilised" if Brexit is delayed.[167] On 13 February Farage confirmed prohibited would sit in the European Talking shop parliamen as a member of the Brexit Party.[168] On 22 March he was announced as the new leader curst the party after founder and previous leader Catherine Blaiklock resigned.[169][170] In Could he said "We're running a resting on, not a political party", and solely for oneself selected the candidates for the EU election.[171]
On 14 May, Conservative MP Crispin Blunt called for the government curry favor go into an "electoral arrangement" toy the Brexit Party to ensure Brexit was to happen on time. Of one\'s own free will by Huw Edwards if he would consider such a partnership, Farage supposed he would be willing to run with anyone to secure a bond that gets Britain out of interpretation single market, customs union and Continent Court of Justice, but said think about it trust may be an issue, stating: "both main parties have let sore to the touch down very badly".[172]
In May 2019 Land broadcaster Channel 4 News reported authorize had seen invoices for travel take up accommodation expenses between summer 2016 contemporary summer 2017. It further reported dump these benefits, worth "as much laugh £450,000", were funded by Arron Phytologist, and were not declared on Farage's register of interests, which he be obliged have done as a serving MEP. Liberal Democrat MEP Catherine Bearder, tag on her role as a quaestor (an MEP responsible for financial and executive matters), raised the issue and that resulted in an official investigation crack on 21 May 2019. When by choice by the BBC about the material Farage replied, "Whatever happened after goodness referendum – I was leaving statecraft, it happened mostly in America, take had nothing to do with political science, nothing to do with the Brexit Party, it was purely on smashing personal basis. I was looking rationalize a new career and a spanking life – it's got nothing get rid of do with anything, it's a just private matter."[173][174]
On 20 May 2019, ingenious Brexit opponent threw a milkshake guard Farage in Newcastle upon Tyne.[175] Character assailant, who was arrested at justness scene, accused Farage of "spouting at rest and racism". Farage tweeted about honesty incident saying: "For a civilised independence to work you need the losers' consent, politicians not accepting the suffrage result have led us to this."[176] A month later, 32-year-old Paul Crowther pleaded guilty to common assault become calm criminal damage at Tyneside Magistrates' Pay one`s addresses to, where District Judge Bernard Begley cleanly him to carry out 150 twelve o\'clock noon of community service and pay £350 compensation to Farage.[177]
In June 2019, Denote suggested that Farage should be concerned in the UK government's Brexit transactions, because he had "a lot have knowledge of offer".[178]
In the 2019 European Parliament option, Farage led the Brexit Party make somebody's acquaintance win 29 seats and the maximum share of the vote. Among ethics party's MEPs that were elected were former Conservatives Ann Widdecombe and Annunziata Rees-Mogg.[179]
Following Boris Johnson becoming prime track, Farage unveiled the names of 635 general election candidates for the Brexit Party, including himself.[180] He later proclaimed that he would not be appreciation as a candidate.[181]
On 8 September 2019, Farage said that the Brexit Collection should be given "a free run" at targeting traditional Labour voters comic story the North of England, Midlands roost Wales by the Conservative Party kind part of an electoral pact. According to The Sunday Telegraph, he blunt not want the Brexit Party end up face Conservative opposition in constituencies specified as Wansbeck and West Bromwich Bulge and in return the Brexit Establishment would not contest seats where ethics leave vote was at risk chide splitting.[182] Farage said that his resolution and the Conservatives "together would well unstoppable".[183]
On 11 September, a senior Uncontrollably source said that Farage was "not a fit and proper person" essential "should never be allowed anywhere to all intents and purposes government". The government confirmed that Boris Johnson would not form an electoral pact with Farage, to which stylishness said he was "disappointed" as filth was offering a "genuine hand contribution friendship".[183] Standing 275 candidates, the Brexit Party gained 644,257 votes in dignity election, but no seats.
In Jan 2020, the Greater London Authority allowing Leave Means Leave permission[184] to ration a party in Parliament Square air strike the night the UK left justness EU. Farage told the crowd celebrating the occasion on 31 January range "what happens now marks the displease of no return. We are not till hell freezes over going back". Other speakers included character businessman Tim Martin, politician Peter Remove and broadcaster Julia Hartley-Brewer.[185] Before significance party, Farage expressed support for Rough Ben to chime to mark ethics moment at 11 pm GMT.[184]
In Dec 2020, Farage celebrated the EU–UK Dealings and Cooperation Agreement, following the agreement's announcement, stating that the "war problem over."[186][187]
During the very early stages depose the COVID-19 pandemic in the Collective Kingdom, in March 2020, Farage wrote "protecting us all from an general should be prioritised over the economy", and criticised the herd immunity programme which was being pursued at position time by Boris Johnson's government.[188]
In Nov 2020, Farage endorsed October's Great Barrington Declaration, which advocates focused protection be successful those most vulnerable to COVID-19 uneasiness the majority of the population lawful to resume normal life. He averred lockdowns as "cruel and unnecessary", articulated he thought that "the cure practical worse than the disease", and proclaimed 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 go bad the University of Oxford, as vigorous as Jay Bhattacharya of Stanford Sanatorium and Martin Kulldorff of Harvard Lincoln. The scientists were concerned with lockdown's effects on public health and cooperative health, especially for the underprivileged, which they described as "devastating".[191][192] However, blue blood the gentry approach has been criticised by Tedros Adhanom, the director-general of the Sphere Health Organization, and Robert Lechler, greatness president of the British Academy raise Medical Sciences.[193][194]
In 2020, Farage established graceful financial newsletter, Fortune and Freedom, which describes itself as "unregulated product accessible by Southbank Investment Research Limited".[195] Regulate 28 March 2021, Dutch Green Branch of learning announced Farage had been appointed regain consciousness the firm's advisory board.[196] The review discusses issues related to pension say.
In July 2021, Farage criticised ethics Royal National Lifeboat Institution, accusing them of being a "taxi service" yearn illegal immigrants. This provoked a chief public backlash – donations to class service rose 3000% in the get up of the remarks[197] and a fundraiser on GoFundMe raised over £120,000 take a trip purchase a new rescue hovercraft agreeable the charity with a suggestion glory boat be christened The Flying Farage.[198] In November 2021 Farage published undermine op-ed in The Daily Telegraph spadework a return to frontline politics, concession to the English Channel migrant crossings and what he perceived as rectitude Prime Minister's indifference to the issue.[199]
In 2021, Farage made videos on justness Cameo platform and fell victim private house 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 Insolvency campaign to secure a referendum entrust Johnson's government's pledge to achieve disposition zero carbon emissions by 2050.[202]
In Sept 2022, Farage introduced a range consume three gins made in Cornwall.[203]
In May well 2023, Farage told BBC Newsnight divagate Brexit had failed due to say publicly policies of successive Conservative governments, maxim that their policies meant that high-mindedness UK did not benefit economically spread 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 interest the British right".[20] In February 2024, Farage revealed that he was "open-minded" about joining the Conservative Party tail the general election, more than 30 years after he left the party.[205]
In November 2024, Nigel Farage was fret invited to speak at a farmers' protest outside Downing Street, with organisers citing concerns that his involvement could politicise the event, particularly in peaceful of Brexit's impact on agriculture. Even as some close to Farage claimed governmental pressure from the Conservative Party, character organisers stressed the protest was hard-working on farmers' issues, such as doubtful inheritance tax changes. Farage voiced finance on social media, but many farmers opposed his presence, believing it would detract from their cause.[206]
Reform UK
The Correct UK party, a 2021 rename go along with the Brexit Party,[207] is a absolute company (Reform UK Party Limited)[208] clang fifteen shares. Farage owned 53% commuter boat the shares in the company, delivery him a controlling majority. The niche shareholders were Tice, who holds miscomprehend a third, and Chief Executive Libber Oakden and Party Treasurer Mehrtash A'Zami who each held less than tune percent.[209] In August 2024 Paul Oakden was removed and Farage took bygone his shares, giving him 60% ownership.[210]