In a move that defies Westminster tradition, Nigel Farage has announced he will not be attending the pomp and ceremony of the State Opening of Parliament next week. The newly elected Reform UK leader and MP for Clacton has declared his political career is now focused on being a disruptor from the backbenches, not a participant in the establishment's pageantry.
The arch-Brexiteer and veteran campaigner delivered his verdict with characteristic bluntness, telling The Mirror: "I am not a politician. I'm not going to go along with all that nonsense. I'm going to be an agitator."
A Symbolic Snub to Westminster Tradition
The State Opening, featuring the King's Speech, is one of the most colourful events in the parliamentary calendar, filled with centuries-old ritual. Yet Farage plans to be conspicuously absent, viewing it as a symbol of the political class he has built a career opposing.
His statement reinforces his long-held position as an outsider, even now that he has finally secured a seat in the Commons after eight previous attempts.
From the Campaign Trail to the Backbenches
Farage's absence will be particularly notable given his recent political comeback. After initially stating he would not stand in the general election to focus on supporting Donald Trump's US campaign, he reversed his decision, took over the leadership of Reform UK, and won his seat in Clacton.
"My job is to hold this government to account, to be a thorn in their side, to represent the concerns of those who feel left behind by the political establishment," Farage asserted, outlining his strategy for his first term in Parliament.
This calculated snub sets the tone for how Farage intends to operate within the hallowed halls of Westminster: on his own terms, and by his own rules.
