Nigel Farage Decides Against Running in UK General Election, Focuses on US Campaign Instead

In a surprising turn of events, Nigel Farage, the founder of Reform UK, has announced that he will not be standing as a candidate in the upcoming UK general election. Speculation was rife that he might join the parliamentary race as a candidate for Reform, but he opted out.

Addressing the decision, Farage expressed his support for the party’s leader, Richard Tice, and MP Lee Anderson, stating that he would contribute to the campaign in other ways but felt the timing was not right for him to proceed further.

Reform UK kicked off its election campaign with Tice revealing plans to field candidates in 630 out of the 650 constituencies in England, Scotland, and Wales. Tice himself will contest in Boston and Skegness, aiming to challenge Conservative MP Matt Warman‘s stronghold.

Emphasizing the party’s ambitions, Tice asserted that despite skeptics, Reform is poised to secure seats in the upcoming election, positioning it as a formidable force in the political landscape.

The narrative of the campaign shifted as Farage stated his intention to focus on the upcoming US election, particularly supporting his ally, former President Donald Trump. Farage highlighted the global significance of the US election and pledged his involvement in the grassroot campaigning efforts.

Reform’s campaign launch branded the impending election as the “immigration election,” targeting issues such as high net migration and critiquing establishment figures and mainstream political parties for their handling of key national matters.

While Farage has been a prominent figure in UK politics, especially leading the Brexit Party during the pivotal Brexit referendum, he has chosen not to pursue a seat in Westminster, acknowledging the limitations imposed by the first-past-the-post electoral system.

Reform’s approach has stirred concerns within the Conservative Party, with many apprehensive about the potential impact on Rishi Sunak‘s political ambitions. However, Farage’s decision to step back from a more active role may alleviate some anxieties within the Tory ranks.

As Reform charts its course in the election arena, the party’s leader, Richard Tice, has taken the reins following Farage’s retreat from frontline politics in 2021. With the party eyeing a significant presence in the upcoming election, the dynamics of the political landscape are set for an intriguing shift.