Nigel Farage: Britain Has Had ‘too Many Unifiers’

Nigel Farage: The Rise of Reform UK

In an interview with Bloomberg, Nigel Farage, leader of the newly rising political party Reform UK, discussed his ambitions for British politics and governance. At just five members of Parliament but currently leading in opinion polls ahead of the next election scheduled for 2029, Farage believes he is well-positioned to become prime minister.

A Political Insurgency

Farage’s Reform UK party has been making waves since its formation. A recent Electoral Calculus projection suggests that if an election were held today, the party would win 367 seats in Parliament, giving Farage a majority and making him prime minister. However, his party faced a setback in October when it came second to Plaid Cymru in a special Welsh Parliament election.

Despite the setback, Farage remains optimistic about Reform UK’s prospects. “Oh, if there was an election tomorrow, we’d win easily,” he stated. “But the trouble is it’s a marathon to the next election.

We’ve hit the 13-mile mark and we’re a mile ahead. There’s a long way to go.”

Challenging Consensus Politics

Farage is unapologetic about his role as a disruptor in British politics, emphasizing that he won’t form alliances with traditional parties like the Conservatives. “Yeah, that’s the point,” he said. “We now need change from the inside. We’ve not had enough change. We are atrophying as a country.

We’re declining economically, we’re declining societally, we’re declining culturally.”

Farage argues against what he sees as ineffective consensus politics. “So you would govern as a divisive figure?” he was asked. “You’d govern as a majority government, on a radical manifesto that says the country needs fundamental reform. Some people won’t like it, but that’s the way it is.”

Reform and the City of London

Farage’s political journey includes a significant stint in the financial sector. He worked as a metals trader before entering politics full-time. “My father was a stockbroker for over half a century,” Farage explained, reflecting on his family’s long association with finance.

“Deregulation of the City of London in 1986 — known as the ‘Big Bang’ — transformed London’s financial services industry,” he continued. “We did have social problems though. Nothing like this. A lot of people got left behind in that period, and some of them are supporting your party today.”

Brexit and Economic Concerns

The interviewer pointed out that Sterling has never recovered its value since the Brexit referendum in 2016. “Sterling has been falling for decades,” Farage argued. “As it happens, both statements are accurate.” He noted that while the pound traded close to $1.49 on June 23, 2016, and has not risen much past $1.43 since then.

Farage acknowledged deeper economic issues pre-dating Brexit but maintained his support for it, citing freedom and self-governance as key benefits. “Do I think freedom’s worth it? Yes, absolutely,” he stated firmly. “Do I think self-governance is worth it? Yes, of course I do.”

Conclusion

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party represents a significant development in British politics. With its rise in polls and Farage’s vision for radical change, the future election could see a reshaping of the political landscape. As Farage prepares to challenge established parties, his journey from a metals trader to a prominent political figure underscores the dynamic nature of modern British politics.