Nigel Farage Declares Reform UK on 'General Election War Footing'
Nigel Farage has announced that Reform UK is now on a "general election war footing," as he called for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign and revealed plans to unveil the party's shadow cabinet imminently. Speaking at a rally in Birmingham on Monday, the Reform UK leader addressed a crowd of approximately 2,000 supporters, asserting that the party is ready to contest and win the next general election, which he believes could occur sooner than anticipated.
Pressure Mounts on Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Mr Farage added to the growing pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to step down over his appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, citing Lord Mandelson's friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He highlighted that Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar's calls for Sir Keir's resignation make it "virtually impossible" for Labour to effectively fight the upcoming Scottish elections.
"If a Prime Minister is to lose his credibility, can’t command the House of Commons, can’t command his own party, doesn’t have respect internationally, it is not in the national interest for him or her to stay," Mr Farage stated. "I think he should resign, and I think he will before very long. Anas Sarwar is a very big marker. How can Labour now fight the Scottish elections if Starmer stays as Prime Minister? It is virtually impossible and I think the same will come from Wales very shortly."
Reform UK Builds a Stronger Team
During a half-hour speech, which began with fireworks and a standing ovation, Mr Farage dismissed criticism that Reform UK is a "one-man band." He emphasized that the party has strengthened its ranks by welcoming former Conservative politicians such as Suella Braverman and Robert Jenrick, bringing valuable government and parliamentary experience.
"The criticism consistently has been, you’re not ready for the election because you’re a one-man band. Well that is all changing and it has changed rapidly," he said. "Whilst we have had on the existing team talent, hard work, ability and life experience, what we lacked was experience in Number 10. What we have lacked is experience in government. What we have lacked is long-term experience in parliament. Anyone from the outside can see we are now beginning to actually build a team of people."
Shadow Cabinet and Election Preparedness
Mr Farage described the local elections on May 7 as "crucial" but announced he will not wait until after that date to progress the party's plans. He revealed that Reform UK will start unveiling its shadow cabinet ministers within the next few days, marking a new phase of maturity for the party.
"I’m not going to wait until after May 7 for the next phase because things are moving rather quickly out there," he explained. "I will, within the next few days, start to unveil the first people who will act as our spokesmen and act as our shadow cabinet ministers. That is coming in just a few days’ time and will represent more maturity for our party."
He reiterated his previous prediction of a general election in 2027 but suggested it could happen sooner, stating, "Well I stand by that but it could come more quickly. This whole thing could just unravel." To bolster election readiness, Mr Farage announced that candidate applications for general election positions are now open on the party's website, reinforcing the "war footing" declaration.
Vision for Reform UK and Future Goals
Mr Farage expressed confidence in Reform UK's ability to fight and win the next election, criticizing the traditional two-party system and career politicians. "We will make sure that whenever it comes, we are ready to fight and win the election," he asserted. "We are fighting because we believe that we want and need a proud independent country that stands up on its own two feet, that cherishes its past but embraces its future. A place people want to come and live and invest. We have been totally failed by the two-party system. We have been totally failed by career politicians."
He praised the party's optimism and belief in success, adding, "I am putting together a team of people who will do much, much better than that. What I love about this party is the optimism, the belief that we can do it. I believe we can do it." When questioned about Reform UK's readiness, Mr Farage highlighted the party's rapid progress over the past 18 months, stating, "I would argue within a month or two months we will genuinely be ready, certainly more ready than all the others. We will be ready."
At the rally's conclusion, all of Reform UK's MPs joined Mr Farage on stage, where he welcomed new team members and launched branded T-shirts into the crowd. "What you see before you is a growing Parliamentary team, a team that now has more depth and breadth of experience than it had before, and a team that, before long, will be very much bigger," he concluded.
