Nigel Farage Rules Out Standing in General Election

Nigel Farage, the founder and honorary president of Reform UK, has announced he will not run in the upcoming general election. Despite speculation, Farage confirmed he will support the party’s campaign but feels it is not the right time for him to seek a parliamentary seat. He emphasized his commitment to aiding Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in the U.S., considering it globally significant.

Farage has previously attempted to become an MP seven times without success, largely due to the first-past-the-post electoral system. He expressed confidence in Reform UK’s leader, Richard Tice, and the party’s agenda, which targets both Conservative and Labour voters. Recent polls show Reform UK at 11% of the national vote, posing a threat primarily to the Conservatives.

Reform UK, critical of the Conservatives on issues like immigration and net zero, plans to contest every seat in the election. Farage’s decision not to run is seen as a relief for some Tories, who fear the impact of his high profile. Farage, a prominent Eurosceptic and former leader of UKIP, played a key role in the Brexit referendum and has a notable history in European politics. He is currently a GB News presenter and participated in the reality TV show “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!” in 2023.