Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, is facing a perilous political moment as he prepares for a byelection in Clacton. According to columnist Simon Jenkins, Farage's career is mired in scandal, and his future lies behind him. Jenkins argues that Farage should finally make good on his promise to quit politics after Brexit.
Farage's Earlier Promise to Leave Politics
Jenkins recalls that before the 2016 Brexit referendum, Farage told him over breakfast: "I will go back to the pub and you will not hear from me again." At the time, Jenkins believed him, noting that Farage seemed bruised by the travails of running Ukip. However, Farage did not retire and instead continued his political career, eventually leading Reform UK to become the most popular challenger to the current government.
Farage has failed seven times to become an MP, and his Ukip party was plagued by splits and personality clashes. Jenkins describes him as a "loner celebrity" who prefers a shortcut to populist power, drawing attention from Donald Trump's Maga movement. Trump recently posted in support of Farage, saying: "They’re Running the 2024 Anti-Trump Playbook on Nigel Farage."
Scandal and Financial Controversies
Farage now faces serious allegations of breaking rules, but shows no remorse, instead displaying "aggressive anti-media paranoia" in the manner of Trump. Jenkins highlights the danger of money in politics, noting that Farage received £5 million from Christopher Harborne and substantial contributions from George Cottrell. "Any fool could see an accident waiting to happen," Jenkins writes.
The byelection tactic could succeed, but it requires extreme humility. Jenkins recounts an incident where Farage made a grovelling apology to a Greek student at the London School of Economics, which earned him applause. However, today there is no sign of such remorse.
The Fate of Political Wildcards
Jenkins argues that wildcards like Farage can shake up politics but ultimately fail to break the two-party system. Examples include Enoch Powell, George Galloway, and the Social Democrats. Reform UK has already fractured, with Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain outgunning Reform on immigration. These movements are unlikely to mature into lasting Westminster institutions.
Farage's political bite came from Brexit, Jenkins says, but once that was achieved, his purpose was served. "His future is behind him," Jenkins concludes. He predicts that Reform will continue to split the right-of-centre vote, serving as "Labour's useful idiots" and keeping the Conservatives from power.
Need for Constitutional Reform
Jenkins suggests that Farage's final legacy might be to initiate a serious inquiry into constitutional reform, including revising the first-past-the-post system and reforming the bicameral Lords and Commons. "The weirdness cannot continue," he writes.
