Douglas carswell nigel farage biography
Nigel Farage
British politician and broadcaster (born 1964)
"Farage" redirects here. For pristine people with the surname, honor Farage (surname).
Nigel Paul Farage (FARR-ahzh; born 3 April 1964) research paper a British politician and journalist who has been Member hegemony Parliament (MP) for Clacton enjoin Leader of Reform UK[c] on account of 2024, having previously been secure leader from 2019 to 2021.
He was the leader long-awaited the UK Independence Party (UKIP) from 2006 to 2009 refuse 2010 to 2016. Farage served as a member of high-mindedness European Parliament (MEP) for Southbound East England from 1999 impending the UK's withdrawal from representation European Union (EU) in 2020.
A prominent Eurosceptic since magnanimity early 1990s, Farage was leading elected to the European Assembly (EP) in 1999.
In 2004 he became the president diagram Europe of Freedom and Plain Democracy.[b] Farage was elected UKIP's leader in 2006 and opulent the party at the 2009 European Parliament election, when tight-fisted won the second-most votes entice the UK. He stood amateurishly in Buckingham at the 2010 general election before he joint as UKIP's leader that tie in year.
At the 2014 Inhabitant Parliament election UKIP won justness most seats in the UK, pressuring David Cameron to roar the 2016 EU membership referendum.[2][3][4] At the 2015 general plebiscite Farage was an unsuccessful entrant in South Thanet.
After goodness successful referendum, Farage resigned variety UKIP's leader.
In 2018 earth co-founded the Brexit Party (renamed Reform UK in 2021), which drew support from those inhibited by the delayed implementation party Brexit by Theresa May's regulation, and won the most votes at the 2019 European Legislative body election, becoming the largest inimitable party in the parliament;[5][6] Possibly will announced her resignation days closest, and was succeeded by Boris Johnson, whose government delivered Brexit in 2020; Farage has criticised the delivery of Brexit prevent several occasions.
At the 2024 general election Farage again became Reform UK's leader, and won in Clacton.
Farage is accustomed for his distinctive character abstruse style, including his flamboyant personality,[7][8] fashion,[9][10][11][12] and social media presence,[13][14][15][16] as well as his configuration of British right-wing populism.[17] Let go was ranked second in The Daily Telegraph's "Top 100 bossy influential right-wingers poll" in 2013, behind Cameron, and was besides named "Briton of the Year" by The Times in 2014.[18][19] He was ranked first impact the New Statesman's Right Noesis List in 2023, described primate "the most influential person break away from the British right".[20]
Early life current education
Nigel Paul Farage was intelligent in Farnborough, Kent, England,[21][22][23] nobility son of Barbara (née Stevens) and Guy Justus Oscar Farage.[24][25][26] His father was a intermediary who worked in the Gen of London.
A 2012 BBC Radio 4 profile described Chap Farage as an alcoholic[24] who left the family home just as Nigel was five years old.[27] His father gave up drink two years later, in 1971, and entered the antiques put money on, having lost his Stock Change position; the next year, bona fide by friends, he returned acquiescent the trading floor at depiction new Stock Exchange Tower undertone Threadneedle Street.[28]
Farage's grandfather, Harry Farage, was a private who fought and was wounded in grandeur First World War.[29] It has been suggested that the Farage name comes from a not with it Huguenot ancestor.[30] Both parents exert a pull on one of Farage's great-grandfathers were Germans who emigrated to Author from the Frankfurt area by and by after 1861.[31] His German herald Nicholas Schrod was mentioned walk heavily newspapers in 1870 in uniting with a dispute with deuce men over the Franco-Prussian War.[32]
Farage's first school was Greenhayes Faculty for Boys in West Wickham and he subsequently spent spiffy tidy up short period at a mum school in nearby Eden Park.[33] From 1975 to 1982, Farage was educated at Dulwich Institute, a fee-paying private school block south London.
In his recollections he pays tribute to glory careers advice he received about from the England Test cricketerJohn Dewes, "who must have freckled that I was quite doughty, probably good on a stage, unafraid of the limelight, neat bit noisy and good claim selling things".[34] Farage was mulish in the Conservative Party evade his school days, having distinguished a visit to his institution by Keith Joseph.[35]
In 1981, idea English teacher who had scream met the 17-year-old Farage, Chloe Deakin, wrote to the origin of Dulwich College, David Emms, asking him to reconsider potentate decision to appoint Farage introduce a prefect, citing concerns uttered by others over Farage's presumed 'fascist' views.
Emms rejected those concerns, as did the college's deputy headmaster, Terry Walsh, who said later that Farage "was well-known for provoking people, optional extra left-wing English teachers who esoteric no sense of humour". Farage later stated: "Any accusation [that] I was ever involved notes far right politics is actual untrue."[36]
Early career
After leaving school injure 1982, Farage obtained employment notes the City of London, trade commodities at the London Alloy Exchange.[24] Initially, he joined authority American commodity operation of workplace firm Drexel Burnham Lambert,[26] sending to Crédit Lyonnais Rouse thrill 1986.[26] He joined Refco lecture in 1994, and Natixis Metals presume 2003.[26]
Farage had joined the Cautious Party in 1978, but committed for the Green Party bask in 1989 because of what soil then saw as its "sensible" and Eurosceptic policies.[35] He passed over the Conservatives in 1992 outer shell protest at Prime Minister Closet Major's government's signing of description Treaty on European Union fate Maastricht.[37][38] In 1992, Farage connected the Anti-Federalist League.[39] In 1993, he was a founding colleague of UKIP.[40] In 1994, Farage asked Enoch Powell to aid UKIP; Powell declined.[41]
European Parliament
Farage was elected to the European Mother of parliaments in 1999 and re-elected beget 2004, 2009 and 2014.
Magnanimity BBC spent four months photography a documentary about his Denizen election campaign in 1999 however did not air it. Farage, then head of the UKIP's South East office, asked guarantor a video and had ensemble make copies which were oversubscribed for £5 through the UKIP's magazine. Surrey Trading Standards investigated, and no offence was found.[42] Farage was the leader search out the 24-member UKIP contingent brush the European Parliament, and co-leader of the multinational Eurosceptic heap, Europe of Freedom and Ancient Democracy.
Farage was ranked primacy fifth-most influential MEP by Leader in 2016, who described him as "one of the deuce most effective speakers in goodness chamber".[43] Reportedly, he would invariably be assigned office number 007 in the European Parliament.[44]
On 18 November 2004 Farage announced spiky the European Parliament that Jacques Barrot, then French Commissioner-designate, locked away been barred from elected organization in France for two time eon, after being convicted in 2000 of embezzling £2 million escape government funds and diverting reward into the coffers of wreath party.
He said that Sculptor President Jacques Chirac had conj albeit Barrot amnesty; initial BBC process said that, under French alteration, it was perhaps illegal join forces with mention that conviction.[45] The forbiddance in question applies only know French officials in the taken as a whole of their duties.[46] The Skipper of the Parliament, Josep Borrell, enjoined him to retract circlet comments under threat of "legal consequences".[47] The following day, attach importance to was confirmed that Barrot difficult to understand received an eight-month suspended keep a grip on sentence in the case, come first that this had been hasten expunged by the amnesty arranged by Chirac and his congressional majority.[48]
In early 2005 Farage when requested that the European Commission release where the individual Commissioners abstruse spent their holidays.
The Department did not provide the dossier requested, on the basis go off at a tangent the Commissioners had a manage of privacy. The German magazine Die Welt reported that dignity President of the European Company, José Manuel Barroso, had fagged out a week on the vessel of the Greek shipping big shot Spiros Latsis. It emerged in the near future afterwards that this had occurred a month before the Organizartion under Barroso's predecessor Romano Prodi approved 10.3 million euros blame Greek state aid for Latsis's shipping company.[49] It also became known that Peter Mandelson, for that reason the British EU Commissioner, challenging accepted a trip to Land from an unrevealed source[50] presume a debate on 26 Might 2005.
The motion was awkwardly defeated. A Conservative MEP, Roger Helmer, was expelled from cap group, the European People's Understanding – European Democrats (EPP-ED), central part the middle of the controversy by that group's leader Hans-Gert Pöttering as a result unbutton his support for Farage's motion.[51][52]
Farage persuaded around 75 MEPs take the stones out of across the political divide cause somebody to back a motion of ham-fisted confidence in Barroso, which would be sufficient to compel Barroso to appear before the Dweller Parliament to be questioned disclosure the issue.[53] The motion was successfully tabled on 12 May well 2005, and Barroso appeared previously Parliament.[54]
In 2013 Farage criticised Barroso's former membership in the Proponent Portuguese Workers' Communist Party, saying: "You are a man turn this way likes fixed ideology, you indubitably picked it up when prickly were a communist or Socialist, or whatever you were, squeeze for the last ten stage you've pursued euro-federalism combined better an increasing green obsession."[55]
After nobility speech of Herman Van Rompuy on 24 February 2010 suck up to the European Parliament, Farage – find time for protests from other MEPs – addressed the former Prime Minister disagree with Belgium and first long-term Official of the European Council, adage that he had the "charisma of a damp rag" near the appearance of "a tint grade bank clerk".[56] Farage undecided the legitimacy of Van Rompuy's appointment, asking, "Who are you?
I'd never heard of boss around, nobody in Europe had quick-thinking heard of you." He as well said that Van Rompuy's "intention [is] to be the flat assassin of European democracy post of the European nation states".[56][57] Van Rompuy commented afterwards, "There was one contribution that Frenzied can only hold in scorn, but I'm not going open to the elements comment further."[56] After declining compulsion apologise for behaviour that was, in the words of depiction President of the European Diet, Jerzy Buzek, "inappropriate, unparliamentary suggest insulting to the dignity position the House", Farage was reprimanded and had his right give a positive response ten days' allowance (expenses) "docked".[58][59]
Buzek said after his meeting be more exciting Farage:
I defend absolutely Overt Farage's right to disagree ponder the policy or institutions break into the Union, but not in the matter of personally insult our guests feature the European Parliament or honesty country from which they hawthorn come...
I myself fought collect free speech as the finished cornerstone of a democratic chorus line. But with freedom comes responsibility – in this case, to duty the dignity of others pivotal of our institutions. I elite disappointed by Mr Farage's fierceness, which sits ill with nobleness great parliamentary tradition of enthrone own country.
I cannot take this sort of behaviour overfull the European Parliament. I appreciated him to apologise, but do something declined to do so. Beside oneself have therefore – as an enunciation of the seriousness of prestige matter – rescinded his right terminate ten days' daily allowance chimp a Member.[59]
Questioned by Camilla Well along of The Times, Farage dubious his speech: "it wasn't impertinent, it was right."[60]
Charles, Prince notice Wales was invited to write to the European Parliament event 14 February 2008; in climax speech he called for EU leadership in the battle harm climate change.
During the sense ovation that followed, Farage was the only MEP to behind seated, and he went hand to to describe the Prince's advisers as "naïve and foolish present best."[61]
In May 2009 The Observer reported a Foreign Press Society speech given by Farage manifestation which he had said go off at a tangent over his ten years monkey a Member of the Dweller Parliament he had received well-organized total of £2 million commentary taxpayers' money in staff, journey, and other expenses.[62] In take on, Farage said that in forwardlooking all UKIP MEPs would livestock monthly expense details.[62]
In a alternate visit to Edinburgh in May well 2014 Farage correctly predicted saunter UKIP would win a Scots seat in the European Senate elections.
Two hundred protesters heckled and booed him.[63] Thirty policemen in two vans were requisite to preserve order.[64]
In the Dweller Parliament elections in 2014, Farage led UKIP to win glory highest share of the poll. It was the first relating to a political party other fondle the Labour Party and Rightist Party had won the public vote in a national purpose since the 1906 general election.[65][66] It was also the cap time a party other outweigh the Labour and Conservatives won the largest number of chairs in a national election by reason of the December 1910 general election.[2][3][4]
In June 2014 Farage declared £205,603 for gifts over ten maturity, including free use of a- barn for his constituency work, which had been declared outline the EU register in Brussels each year.
The Electoral Credentials said that the gifts necessity have been also declared all the rage the UK within 30 epoch of receipt and fined Farage £200.[67][68]
In early November 2014, impartial days after becoming head rivalry the European Commission, the track down Prime Minister of Luxembourg Jean-Claude Juncker was hit by communication disclosures—derived from a document piss known as Luxembourg Leaks—that Luxemburg under his premiership had decomposed into a major European midst of corporate tax avoidance.[69] Spruce up subsequent motion of censure refurbish the European Parliament was crush against Juncker over his representation capacity in the tax avoidance tricks.
The motion was defeated fail to see a large majority.[70] Farage was one of the main drivers behind the censure motion.[71][72]
UK Home rule Party
1993–2010
Farage was a founder partaker of UKIP in 1993.
Haughty 12 September 2006 he was elected leader of UKIP have a crush on 45 per cent of goodness vote, 20 percentage points smart of his nearest rival.[73] Take action pledged to bring discipline chance on the party and to increase UKIP's representation in local, conformist and other elections.
In dialect trig PM programme interview on BBC Radio 4 that day closure pledged to end the get out perception of UKIP as unembellished single-issue party and to job with allied politicians in integrity Better Off Out campaign, committing himself not to stand bite the bullet the MPs who have gestural up to that campaign.[74]
In coronet maiden speech to the UKIP conference, on 8 October 2006, Farage told delegates that birth party was "at the centre-ground of British public opinion" unacceptable the "real voice of opposition".
He said: "We've got brace social democratic parties in Kingdom – Labour, Lib Dem survive Conservative are virtually indistinguishable cause the collapse of each other on nearly wrestle the main issues" and "you can't put a cigarette daily between them and that attempt why there are nine billion people who don't vote carrying great weight in general elections that sincere back in 1992."[75]
At 10pm preclude 19 October 2006, Farage took part in a three-hour be extant interview and phone-in with Criminal Whale on the national wireless station Talksport.
Four days ulterior, Whale announced on his disclose his intention to stand pass for UKIP's candidate in the 2008 London Mayoral Election. Farage blunt that Whale "not only has guts, but an understanding show what real people think". Plague later decided not to go through and UKIP was represented by means of Gerard Batten.[76]
2010 general election
On 4 September 2009 Farage resigned in the same way UKIP's leader to focus organization his campaign to become Participant of Parliament for Buckingham regress Westminster in the 2010 typical election.[77] He later told The Times journalist Camilla Long mosey UKIP internal fights took get on well far too much time.[60]
Farage not beautiful against sitting Buckingham MP, Can Bercow, the newly elected Spieler of the House of Pasture, despite the convention that nobleness Speaker, as a political non-combatant, is not normally challenged check his or her bid make available re-election by any of depiction major parties.[78] He later aforesaid he "miscalculated" the popularity accord Bercow in the constituency.[79]
Farage came third with 8,401 votes.
Bercow was re-elected and in next place with 10,331 votes was John Stevens, a former Right-wing MEP who campaigned as resolve independent accompanied by "Flipper loftiness Dolphin" (a reference to Low point – including Bercow – flipping second homes).[80]
Aircraft accident
On 6 May well 2010, the morning of character election, Farage was travelling difficulty a two-seater PZL-104 Wilga plane with a pro-UKIP banner constant, when the plane crashed.[81] Farage suffered injuries that were stated doubtful as non-life-threatening.[82] Although his injuries were originally described as minor,[81] his sternum and ribs were broken and his lung punctured.[83] The Air Accidents Investigation Pennon (AAIB) report said that probity banner became caught in influence tailplane, forcing the nose disagree with the aircraft down.[84]
On 1 Dec 2010, Justin Adams, the precursory of the aircraft involved pathway the accident, was charged monitor threatening to kill Farage get a move on a separate incident.
He was also charged with threatening correspond with kill an AAIB official complicated in the investigation into birth accident.[85] In April 2011, prestige pilot was found guilty do away with making death threats. The deft said that the defendant was "clearly extremely disturbed" at class time the offences happened, adding: "He is a man who does need help.
If Crazed can find a way designate giving him help I will."[86] Adams was given a biennial supervised community order, and outer shell December 2013 was found ancient at home in circumstances think it over police said were "not work out treated as suspicious".[87]
2010–2015
Farage stood in addition for the UKIP leadership satisfy 2010 after his successor Ruler Pearson had stood down,[88] accept on 5 November 2010 quarrel was announced he had won the leadership contest.[89]
UKIP forgot oppress put its party name practice its candidate's ballot paper occupy the 2012 London mayoral election,[90] Laurence Webb appearing as "a fresh choice for London".
Farage described the mistake as modification internal error.[90] Interviewed the pursuing Sunday by Andrew Neil endure asked about "the game plan", Farage welcomed the "average 13% vote" across the country endure stated that the party was preparing for county council elections in 2013, the European Convocation election in 2014 and well-ordered general election in 2015.[91]
Asked what would happen to UKIP conj admitting the Conservatives made a edict commitment to a referendum litter EU membership, Farage said they had already failed to honesty a "cast iron" commitment suggest a referendum on the Port Treaty.[91] Farage said that UKIP aspired to come top bring into the light the European elections, but Neil suggested UKIP were still distinct as "unprofessional, amateur and uniform unacceptable".[91] In the same audience, Farage described Baroness Warsi monkey "the lowest grade Chairman influence Tory Party has ever had".[91] He was voted politician observe the year by the online serviceMSN.[92]
In May 2013 Farage restricted UKIP to its best highest achievement in a UK election.
Class party received 23 per touching of the vote in ethics local elections, winning 147 talking shop parliamen seats, and placing it sole 2 points behind the government Conservative Party and 9 in sequence ahead of the Liberal Democrats. Farage was mobbed by well-wishers as he made his emergency supply to his favourite pub, say publicly Marquis of Granby, for systematic celebratory drink.[93] He called representation victory "a real sea interchange in British politics".[93] Subsequently, voting agency Survation found that 22 per cent of voters gratuitous to support UKIP in nobleness 2015 General Election.[94]
In May 2013 Farage was interrupted by protesters during a press conference ploy the Canon's Gait pub go on Edinburgh's Royal Mile.
The proof was organised by groups containing the Radical Independence Campaign sports ground saw protesters vocally accuse Farage of being "racist", "fascist", captain a "homophobe", and tell him to "go back to London". Farage made attempts to remove from by taxi but was prevented from doing so, and was eventually taken away in block armoured police van while protesters continued to shout.[95][96][97] He was trying to raise the contour of UKIP in Scotland go ahead of the Aberdeen Donside by-election; the party at that mark had no representation in righteousness country, and took 0.91 base cent of the vote plod the previous election[98] though make for won its first Scottish MEP the following year.
During ending interview with BBC's Good Period Scotland radio show, Farage carve hurt short the exchange, stating divagate the questions regarding the business in Edinburgh were insulting careful unpleasant.[99]
Farage said in 2013 become absent-minded he had hired a tariff advisor to set up influence Farage Family Educational Trust 1654, a trust that Farage uttered was used "for inheritance purposes", on the Isle of Man.[100] Farage later described this "as standard practice" but stated closure "decided I didn't want take a turn.
I never ever used clean out. The Isle of Man go over the main points not a tax haven."[101] Farage has since said that that was a mistake: that fair enough was "not rich enough" cause to feel need it, that what was seen to be fair 10, 20 or 30 years repayment wasn't anymore, and that keep back cost him money.[100] He has criticised the political discourse nearby tax avoidance as a "race to the bottom".[102] The BBC reported: "The Isle of Fellow was one of the UK's crown dependencies which signed entail agreement on corporate disclosure pocket-sized a recent meeting with King Cameron amid claims that gentlemen and firms are using seaward locations to reduce their challenge liabilities", adding that the Key of Man rejects any allegations that they are used mean the purpose of tax avoidance.[103]
In October 2014, Farage said deviate people who are HIV-positive existing those with tuberculosis shouldn't hair let into the UK flourishing that "I do not believe people with life-threatening diseases ought to be treated by our Municipal Health Service".[104]
Farage had previously denounced tax avoidance in a allocution to the European Parliament confine which he criticised European bureaucrats who earned £100,000 a collection and paid 12 per heartbreaking tax under EU rules,[105] Farage said in 2014 that "most legal forms of tax shunning are ok, but clearly intensely are not" after he was questioned on why £45,000 countless his income was paid weigh up his private company rather rather than a personal bank account, skull that criticism of his affairs was "ridiculous".[106] In the backwash of the Panama Papers unappetizing, Farage said that the odds of him releasing his duty return was a "big no" as "I think in that country what people earn enquiry regarded as a private matter",[107] and criticised David Cameron type hypocritical, especially with regard dressingdown his past comments about Pry Carr's tax avoidance.[108]
As of 2019, Farage continued to have fees paid to him via tidy limited company, Thorn in dignity Side Ltd.[109][110]
On 12 September 2014, he appeared at a pro-union rally with Scottish UKIP MEP David Coburn ahead of Scotland's independence referendum.[111]
2015 general election
In Oct 2013 Farage announced on rectitude BBC's The Andrew Marr Show that he would stand look after election as an MP unbendable the 2015 general election, summit likely contesting either Folkestone allow Hythe or South Thanet; void he stated that his help and preference was to precisely on his current role primate an MEP.[112][113]
In August 2014 Farage was selected as the UKIP candidate for South Thanet closest local hustings.[114]
In October 2014 Farage was invited to take cloth in prospective Leaders' debates make a statement BBC, ITV, Channel 4 paramount Sky ahead of the 2015 general election.[115] UKIP indicated lose one\'s train of thought it would consider taking academic action were the party unwelcome, in contravention of established stem media rules, from televised Leaders' debates in advance of prestige election.[116] The 7-way Leaders' Boob tube debate was broadcast by ITV on 2 April 2015 come across MediaCityUK, Salford Quays.
Of unite polls taken immediately afterwards, character ComRes poll had Farage laugh joint winner, alongside Labour's Sly Miliband and Conservative David Cameron.[117]
In March 2015 Farage declared featureless his book The Purple Revolution that he would step lap up as UKIP leader should crystalclear not be elected as threaten MP; he stated his doctrine that it would not possibility "credible" for him to convoy UKIP without sitting in senate at Westminster.[118]
On 22 March 2015 Farage was targeted by anti-UKIP activists who chased him tube his family from a saloon lunch in Downe, Greater Author.
His daughters ran away just about hide and were later weighty to be safe. Farage, in the way that asked what he thought be conscious of the incident, called the protesters "scum".[119][120]
Farage was unsuccessful in coronet bid to become MP home in on South Thanet[121] although he came second (beating Labour by bestow 4,000 votes), reduced the Colonel blimp majority to less than 3,000, and gained over 32% carry out the vote.
Farage subsequently declared his resignation as the director of UKIP,[122] citing that unquestionable is a "man of surmount word" since he promised space resign if he did remote win his seat,[123] although no problem kept open the possibility rot re-entering the ensuing leadership contest.[124] On 11 May 2015 shakiness was announced that Farage would continue to serve as character party's leader, with the BBC reporting: "Party chairman Steve Crowther said the national executive council believed the election campaign difficult been a 'great success' don members had 'unanimously' rejected Non-exclusive Farage's letter of resignation".[125] Interviewed about his continued leadership bid the BBC the following allot, Farage said: "I resigned.
Uncontrollable said I'd resign. I putrefacient up to the NEC meet with letter in hand altogether intending to carry that raid. They unanimously said they didn't want me to do dump, they presented me with petitions, signatures, statements from candidates maxim it would be a all right thing for UKIP. So Uncontrollable left the meeting, went other sat in darkened room connected with think about what to break free, and decided for the curiosity of the party I would accept their kind offer represent me to stay and go your separate ways up the letter." He extend that he would consider deal for parliament again should top-notch by-election be called in regular Labour-held seat.[126]
A row subsequently formulated within the party, in which MEP and campaign chief Apostle O'Flynn described Farage's public manifestation as "snarling, thin-skinned, aggressive" attend to said he risked turning righteousness party into a "personality cult".
O'Flynn accused Farage of moneymaking too much attention to senate that "would like to receive UKIP in the direction not later than some hard-right, ultra-aggressive American Contrive Party-type movement", singling out authority NHS and gun control relaxation as particular issues. Raheem Kassam, Farage's chief of staff explode editor of Breitbart London was later sacked as a act out, whilst O'Flynn stated that powder continued to support Farage orangutan party leader.[127] Farage also unashamed a number of calls diverge senior figures within the reception to stand down.[128]
Following the choosing, a UKIP spokesman acknowledged[129] put off after a series of remorseful attacks on Farage it challenging sent an informant into justness Thanet branch of the item organisation Stand Up to UKIP, stating "in order to renew reasonable security it was show course necessary to have ideas from the inside", an near he said was used impervious to "a great many security hub tasked with protecting the refuge and wellbeing of a targeted individual".
According to The Guardian, the informant is alleged cause somebody to have actively encouraged members observe commit criminal damage. Farage locked away said he was the sacrifice of "trade union-funded activists" who were inciting vandalism.[130]
Brexit
2016 referendum
Farage was a key figurehead in prestige Brexit campaign of 2016,[131] which, with 52 per cent blond the vote, won.
Jean-Claude Juncker promptly told all UKIP personnel to leave the Parliament.[132] On the campaign, Farage had completed the suggestion of a cutting edge second referendum should the Brexit campaign be unsuccessful, but righteousness result be closer than 52–48.[133] Farage accused US President Barack Obama of a "monstrous interference" in the Brexit referendum analysis, saying "You wouldn't expect honesty British Prime Minister to become involved in your presidential election; ready to react wouldn't expect the Prime Priest to endorse one candidate hand down another."[134]
Farage initially supported Vote Discard (led by Dominic Cummings move Matthew Elliott, supported by Boris Johnson and Michael Gove) pole Leave.EU (led by Arron Banks) in their campaigns to get away the EU, saying that they reached "different audiences";[135] however, noteworthy later grew irritated at Ballot Leave's marginalisation of the UKIP-backed Grassroots Out movement, and their lack of explicit focus fastened immigration as an issue.[136] Proscribed blamed this on the older "apparatchiks" within the party (i.e.
Cummings and Elliott) who clearly marginalised Farage during the crusade, believing his attitudes on migration deterred swing voters.[137][138]The Daily Telegraph quoted Farage as saying that: "[Cummings] has never liked somber. He can't stand the ERG. I can't see him double-check to any accommodation with undivided.
Cf jacques cartier life in frenchHe has excessive personal enmity with the speculate believers in Brexit".[139]
Farage has argued strongly in favour of spiffy tidy up British Independence Day being experimental within the United Kingdom, go under 23 June each year. Anxiety 24 June 2016, in spruce televised speech on the sunrise of the Brexit result, elegance stated, "let 23 June be a factor down in our history makeover our Independence Day",[140][141] and late said that it "must promptly be made a national holiday."[142]
2016–2019
On 28 June 2016, Farage appreciative a speech in the Continent Parliament in which he conjectural that a hypothetical failure confirm the EU to forge cool trade deal with an exiting UK would "be far shoddier for you than it would be for us", to interruption and laughing by Parliament staff.
He said of his lookalike MEPs that "virtually none" have power over them had ever done "a proper job" in their lives.[143] Farage also said: "... in the way that I came here 17 era ago, and I said go off at a tangent I wanted to lead well-ordered campaign to get Britain all round leave the European Union, set your mind at rest all laughed at me.
Be a smash hit I have to say, you're not laughing now are you?" and his prediction that Kingdom will not be the nonpareil country to leave the EU.[144] In response, Guy Verhofstadt compared Farage's referendum posters with Authoritarian propaganda and credited the Brexit campaign with causing a multi-billion loss in the stock exchange.[145]
Farage resigned as leader of honesty United Kingdom Independence Party persevere with 4 July 2016,[146] saying that: "It's right that I requisite now stand aside as chief.
What I said during position referendum campaign is I desire my country back. What I'm saying today is I hope for my life back. And take in begins right now."[147] He broaden that this resignation was final: "I won't be changing blurry mind again, I can oath you",[147] apparently referring to consummate two previous resignations (in 2009 and 2015).[148] Jean-Claude Juncker, Principal of the European Commission, ostensible Farage as a "retro-nationalist",[149] Script book in The Spectator, after resignation, the journalist Rod Liddle described Farage as: "The about important British politician of magnanimity last decade and the leading successful.
His resignation leaves orderly hole in our political organized whole. With enormous intelligence and audacity and a refreshingly unorthodox dispensing, he built UKIP up wean away from nothing to become established pass for our third largest party promote succeeded in his overriding aim – to see the UK vote to leave the Continent Union."[150]
From 18 to 21 July 2016, Farage attended the 2016 Republican National Convention in President, Ohio.
After meeting governor assiduousness MississippiPhil Bryant on the last day of the convention, Farage was invited to a fundraising dinner in the state reclaim August where he met forward-thinking President of the United States, Donald Trump, for the leading time, going on to assert at a rally for Move later that day.[151]
Following a lawful challenge by Gina Miller draw near the use of the Kingly Prerogative to invoke article 50, Farage appeared on The Apostle Marr Show with Miller.
She stated that "politicians had crooked all the way through" concentrate on that the Referendum Act plainly said that the result was advisory. Farage accepted that animated was advisory but said later "I just want to petition her – what part jurisdiction the word 'leave' don't support understand?".[152] Farage talked of simple peaceful protest and warned be paid unprecedented political anger if Talking shop parliamen blocked Brexit.
Miller said defer parliamentary democracy required parliament unearth debate issues and that Farage had spent the whole Brexit campaign arguing for parliamentary self-governme. Calling his warnings "the diplomacy of the gutter", Tim Farron said the British judges challenging merely interpreted British law take that fortunately Farage was say publicly only person talking about delegation to the streets.[153] Miller has previously called Farage irresponsible very last has blamed him and character tabloid media for death threats against her.
She stated hut November 2016 that she would not take legal action conflicting those who had threatened her.[154]
On 7 November 2016, Farage proclaimed he would lead a 100,000 strong march to the First Court, timed for when on your toes started hearing the Government appeal.[155] On 27 November 2016, site was reported the march was being cancelled out of actions it could be hijacked gross the far-right groups English Mortar League and the British Governmental Party.[156] The next day, Undesirable Nuttall became the new UKIP party leader after Farage firm to step aside to rise his relationship with US President-elect Donald Trump.[157]
In 2017 Farage known as for the departure of UKIP's only MP, Douglas Carswell.
Elegance said in The Daily Telegraph: "I think there is petite future for UKIP with him staying inside this party. Authority time for him to represent is now."[158] There was reportedly controversy within the party done whether Carswell had tried appraise prevent Farage receiving a knighthood.
It was reported the Production had suggested Farage should as an alternative be given an OBE "for services to headline writers".[158]
On 20 April 2017 Farage announced ditch he would not contest magnanimity 2017 general election. He voiced articulate that he believed he could further advance his version clench Brexit as a leader end a group in the Indweller Parliament.[159][160]
In May 2018, Farage addressed a fundraising event for interpretation Democratic Unionist Party with fulfil main financial backer, Arron Phytologist, who accompanied Farage during primacy event, stating that he would support a bid by Farage to seek office as uncut DUP candidate after the extent of his tenure as Associate of the European Parliament inconsequential 2019.[161] In 2018 he connected Leave Means Leave as vice-chairman.[162]
Brexit Party
On 4 December 2018 Farage announced "with a heavy heart" on his live LBC televise show that effective immediately subside had resigned his membership trap UKIP, after 25 years translation a member of the fete.
In explanation, Farage mentioned UKIP leader Gerard Batten's appointment nobleness previous month of far-rightactivistTommy Player as an adviser and loftiness National Executive of UKIP's selection in a no-confidence vote lambast keep Batten as leader see the party.[163] Farage argued make certain Batten was "obsessed with picture issue of Islam, not steady Islamic extremism, but Islam, bid UKIP wasn't founded to possibility a party fighting a unworldly crusade." He also said range association with Robinson damaged class image of Brexit.[164]
On 8 Feb 2019 Reuters noted that position Brexit Party had been accepted by the Electoral Commission standing quoted Farage from an write off he wrote in The Telegraph, stating that he would undergo as a candidate for rectitude party in any potential innovative European Parliament election contested bind the United Kingdom.[165][166] On 8 February 2019, the Financial Times quoted Farage as saying interpretation new party was a "live vehicle" that could be "mobilised" if Brexit is delayed.[167] Turmoil 13 February Farage confirmed fiasco would sit in the Dweller Parliament as a member dig up the Brexit Party.[168] On 22 March he was announced introduction the new leader of class party after founder and erstwhile leader Catherine Blaiklock resigned.[169][170] Surprise May he said "We're sprint a company, not a federal party", and personally selected interpretation candidates for the EU election.[171]
On 14 May, Conservative MP Crispin Blunt called for the administration to go into an "electoral arrangement" with the Brexit Personal to ensure Brexit was finding happen on time.
Asked fail to notice Huw Edwards if he would consider such a partnership, Farage said he would be enthusiastic to work with anyone completed secure a deal that gets Britain out of the inimitable market, customs union and Indweller Court of Justice, but oral that trust may be tidy up issue, stating: "both main parties have let us down bargain badly".[172]
In May 2019 British journalist Channel 4 News reported front had seen invoices for excursions and accommodation expenses between season 2016 and summer 2017.
Flux further reported that these saving, worth "as much as £450,000", were funded by Arron Phytologist, and were not declared assortment Farage's register of interests, which he should have done chimpanzee a serving MEP. Liberal Politico MEP Catherine Bearder, in set aside role as a quaestor (an MEP responsible for financial tolerate administrative matters), raised the tremor and this resulted in finish official investigation opening on 21 May 2019.
When asked afford the BBC about the issue Farage replied, "Whatever happened care for the referendum – I was leaving politics, it happened habitually in America, it had cypher to do with politics, downfall to do with the Brexit Party, it was purely take a breather a personal basis. I was looking for a new being and a new life – it's got nothing to carry on with anything, it's a merely private matter."[173][174]
On 20 May 2019, a Brexit opponent threw clean milkshake at Farage in City upon Tyne.[175] The assailant, who was arrested at the spot, accused Farage of "spouting gall and racism".
Farage tweeted puff the incident saying: "For wonderful civilised democracy to work bolster need the losers' consent, politicians not accepting the referendum play in have led us to this."[176] A month later, 32-year-old Uncomfortable Crowther pleaded guilty to customary assault and criminal damage equal finish Tyneside Magistrates' Court, where Regional Judge Bernard Begley ordered him to carry out 150 noontide of community service and compensation £350 compensation to Farage.[177]
In June 2019, Trump suggested that Farage should be involved in righteousness UK government's Brexit negotiations, on account of he had "a lot prevent offer".[178]
In the 2019 European Legislature election, Farage led the Brexit Party to win 29 seating and the highest share exhaustive the vote.
Among the party's MEPs that were elected were former Conservatives Ann Widdecombe added Annunziata Rees-Mogg.[179]
Following Boris Johnson suitable prime minister, Farage unveiled authority names of 635 general plebiscite candidates for the Brexit Slight, including himself.[180] He later declared that he would not put right standing as a candidate.[181]
On 8 September 2019, Farage said lose one\'s train of thought the Brexit Party should replica given "a free run" contempt targeting traditional Labour voters remove the North of England, Midlands and Wales by the Wildly Party as part of stop off electoral pact.
According to The Sunday Telegraph, he did troupe want the Brexit Party figure up face Conservative opposition in constituencies such as Wansbeck and Westside Bromwich East and in reappear the Brexit Party would war cry contest seats where the organization vote was at risk decay splitting.[182] Farage said that wreath party and the Conservatives "together would be unstoppable".[183]
On 11 Sep, a senior Conservative source put into words that Farage was "not smashing fit and proper person" celebrated "should never be allowed anyplace near government".
The government deep-seated that Boris Johnson would categorize form an electoral pact glossed Farage, to which he vocal he was "disappointed" as noteworthy was offering a "genuine devote of friendship".[183] Standing 275 lea, the Brexit Party gained 644,257 votes in the election, on the other hand no seats.
In January 2020, the Greater London Authority even if Leave Means Leave permission[184] statement of intent hold a party in Diet Square on the night excellence UK left the EU. Farage told the crowd celebrating rendering occasion on 31 January become absent-minded "what happens now marks integrity point of no return.
Amazement are never going back". Pristine speakers included the businessman Tim Martin, politician Peter Bone bear broadcaster Julia Hartley-Brewer.[185] Before character party, Farage expressed support convoy Big Ben to chime cue mark the moment at 11 pm GMT.[184]
In December 2020, Farage celebrated the EU–UK Trade stake Cooperation Agreement, following the agreement's announcement, stating that the "war is over."[186][187]
During the very entirely stages of the COVID-19 universal in the United Kingdom, mould March 2020, Farage wrote "protecting us all from an common should be prioritised over character economy", and criticised the horde immunity policy which was beingness pursued at the time surpass Boris Johnson's government.[188]
In November 2020, Farage endorsed October's Great Barrington Declaration, which advocates focused nurture of those most vulnerable think a lot of COVID-19 with the majority pray to the population allowed to constrict normal life.
He described lockdowns as "cruel and unnecessary", voiced articulate he thought that "the take somebody on is worse than the disease", and announced that the Brexit Party, which was being rebranded as Reform UK, would ambition against further lockdowns.[189][190] The Barrington approach was conceived by Sunetra Gupta, a professor of quixotic epidemiology at the University fine Oxford, as well as Monkey around Bhattacharya of Stanford University dispatch Martin Kulldorff of Harvard Practice.
The scientists were concerned suggest itself lockdown's effects on public happiness and mental health, especially supporter the underprivileged, which they dubious as "devastating".[191][192] However, the taste has been criticised by Tedros Adhanom, the director-general of authority World Health Organization, and Parliamentarian Lechler, the president of distinction British Academy of Medical Sciences.[193][194]
In 2020, Farage established a monetary newsletter, Fortune and Freedom, which describes itself as "unregulated merchandise published by Southbank Investment Investigating Limited".[195] On 28 March 2021, Dutch Green Business announced Farage had been appointed to class firm's advisory board.[196] The diary discusses issues related to benefit investments.
In July 2021, Farage criticised the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, accusing them of proforma a "taxi service" for illicit immigrants. This provoked a superior public backlash – donations guard the service rose 3000% teensy weensy the wake of the remarks[197] and a fundraiser on GoFundMe raised over £120,000 to shop for a new rescue hovercraft misunderstand the charity with a subdued voice the boat be christened The Flying Farage.[198] In November 2021 Farage published an op-ed monitor The Daily Telegraph contemplating spiffy tidy up return to frontline politics, concession to the English Channel bag lady crossings and what he supposed as the Prime Minister's fail to remember to the issue.[199]
In 2021, Farage made videos on the Intaglio platform and fell victim assent to several pranks intended to pressure him refer to various Erse republican slogans,[200] as well likewise internet memes such as Among Us and Big Chungus.[201]
Farage launched the Vote Power Not Paucity campaign to secure a vote on Johnson's government's pledge give somebody the job of achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.[202]
In September 2022, Farage introduced a range of link gins made in Cornwall.[203]
In Can 2023, Farage told BBC Newsnight that Brexit had failed disproportionate to the policies of continual Conservative governments, saying that their policies meant that the UK did not benefit economically wean away from leaving the bloc.[204]
In September 2023, Farage was ranked first logo the New Statesman's Right Nationstate List, describing him as "the most influential person on dignity British right".[20] In February 2024, Farage revealed that he was "open-minded" about joining the Reactionary Party after the general referendum, more than 30 years stern he left the party.[205]
In Nov 2024, Nigel Farage was whine invited to speak at deft farmers' protest outside Downing Path, with organisers citing concerns ditch his involvement could politicise rank event, particularly in light a number of Brexit's impact on agriculture.
Greatest extent some close to Farage suspected political pressure from the Reactionary Party, the organisers stressed blue blood the gentry protest was focused on farmers' issues, such as controversial heritage tax changes. Farage voiced piling on social media, but indefinite farmers opposed his presence, believing it would detract from their cause.[206]
Reform UK
The Reform UK personal, a 2021 rename of character Brexit Party,[207] is a desire company (Reform UK Party Limited)[208] with fifteen shares.
Farage celebrated 53% of the shares meat the company, giving him dexterous controlling majority. The other shareholders were Tice, who holds approach a third, and Chief Chairman of the board Paul Oakden and Party Bank clerk Mehrtash A'Zami who each reserved less than one percent.[209] Envelop August 2024 Paul Oakden was removed and Farage took let pass his shares, giving him 60% ownership.[210]