Nigel Farage has revealed exactly what would be required for him to stand down as leader of Reform UK. In bombshell remarks made during a wide-ranging interview with the Daily Expresso podcast from his Clacton-on-Sea constituency, Mr Farage said he believes "right now" that he is the "right" person to lead the Reform movement.
After detailing why he re-entered politics for the election in July 2024, Mr Farage said: "I still believe, right now, that I'm the best person we've got to try to win a General Election, to get into office and start to begin the kind of radical change that we need, otherwise within a decade we'll be a third world country."
Farage's Conditions for Stepping Down
He added: "If somebody else comes along that is more talented than me, better than me, has more connection with the public than me, I'll recognise it." Asked by podcast host Mark Dolan if he was planting a seed for one term in office as prime minister, Mr Farage said emphatically: "No, it's me being realistic. I am not, as some would have you believe, an egomaniac."
Reform UK's leader went on to distance himself from outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and former Conservative PM Boris Johnson, who it was suggested coveted the role solely out of ambition. Mr Farage said: "I'm in politics for what I can do. So, as I say, if somebody else comes along who's better, I'll know. I've not yet seen that person."
Reform UK's Progress and Strategy
Reform UK was officially launched in January 2021 as a rebranding of the Brexit Party. Mr Farage has led it since June 2024, taking over from current deputy Richard Tice. Asked if he was happy with his team, Mr Farage said "it's building" and he is "quite deliberately" stepping back a little bit and pushing others forward.
He said: "In the space of this year, we've got a whole host of people with positions in home affairs etc., leaders in Wales, leaders in Scotland, both of whom, by the way, I'm very, very happy with what they're doing. And I will, as time goes on, appoint more and more people to be there in the front line."
Since the last General Election, Reform UK has been reshaping Britain's political landscape, winning control of scores of councils. But an anti-Reform vote led to defeats at by-elections in Caerphilly, Makerfield and Gorton and Denton, where Plaid Cymru, Labour and the Greens won respectively. Labour and Reform are set for their next big clash at the polls as Andy Burnham's win in Makerfield has triggered a mayoral contest in Greater Manchester to choose his replacement.
Polling and Political Landscape
The latest YouGov Westminster voting intention poll for The Times and Sky News shows Reform leading on 25% of the vote, five points ahead of the Tories. Restore Britain is 22 points behind on 3%. During the interview, Mr Farage was quizzed on Brexit, immigration, Mr Burnham and former Reform MP Rupert Lowe, whom he described as a "one man band".
After leaving Reform UK, Mr Lowe set up Restore Britain, which Mr Farage suggested during the Makerfield by-election threatened to split the right wing vote. Ultimately, Mr Burnham won the by-election with more votes than Reform UK and Restore combined. On Restore, Mr Farage said: "Talk about a one man band. Who is there apart from Rupert Lowe and one or two figures around the edges who appear on the media say things that would not appeal to more than about 2% of the electorate, so I'm not deeply fearful of it."
Response from Rupert Lowe and Conservatives
In response, Mr Lowe told the Express: "Farage is lashing out at me in the media, again. It's all rather pathetic." He said Restore Britain is focusing on putting forward the most detailed set of policy proposals released by any political party. Restore's leader added: "We've already published comprehensive papers on mass deportations, abolishing inheritance tax, restoring the British pub, strengthening self-defence laws and our incredible plan to make energy cheap and reliable. With many more to come. The British people want a plan. We are delivering it."
Asked by the Daily Expresso if he would form a pact with the Tories to secure power, Mr Farage said: "I don't do deals with anyone that I don't trust." Kevin Hollinrake MP, Chairman of the Conservative Party, said: "Kemi Badenoch has already made clear that we have no interest in any deal with Reform. It is irrelevant whether Nigel Farage wants one or not - he is not getting one. When Nigel Farage stands down as leader, a bloody and bitter leadership contest between those who even Farage does not believe are up to the job is inevitable. His £5million donation from a Thai-based crypto billionaire is an albatross around his neck and it’s clear he cannot stand the scrutiny. There is only one serious party on the right with the leader and plan to tackle the challenges our country faces and hold Labour to account, and that is the Conservative Party."
Donation Controversy
Mr Farage has acknowledged he could face a parliamentary sanction over the undeclared £5m gift from a Thailand-based crypto businessman. The Reform UK leader has repeatedly denied wrongdoing over the gift from Christopher Harborne, a major party donor, insisting it was unconnected to his political activity.
