Nigel Farage, the prominent figure in British politics known for his role in the Brexit movement, has announced that he will stand as a candidate for Reform UK in the upcoming general election on July 4, 2024. This decision comes after previously ruling out running for office to focus on supporting Donald Trump's electoral campaign in the United States.
Farage made this announcement during a press conference where he also revealed his intention to take over as leader of Reform UK for at least the next five years. His candidacy could potentially inject new energy into the party, which has been polling well on issues such as opposition to immigration and net zero plans.
The Reform UK party, a successor to Farage's earlier Brexit Party, has gained significant attention in recent months with its hardline stance on various issues. The party is currently projected to receive around 10% of the national polling support, but smaller parties often struggle to translate their popularity into parliamentary seats due to the UK's first-past-the-post electoral system.
Farage's decision may cause more harm than good for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Conservative Party. The Conservatives have attempted to appeal to more right-wing voters by promising stricter immigration policies, potentially losing votes to Reform UK instead of gaining them.
The announcement comes at a challenging time for the Conservative Party, which trails the opposition Labour Party in most polls by over 20 points. Sunak now faces a dilemma regarding whether to allocate more resources towards targeting Reform voters or focusing on retaining support from moderate Conservatives.
Farage's announcement of a long-term commitment to Reform UK suggests that the Conservative Party may face ongoing challenges in the coming years.