Forum Topic

Nigel Farage Statement

He is resigning as MP for Clacton to force a by-election but will stand as a candidate again.

Sue Hammond ● 20d55 Comments

Mr Carter'No comment needed......'Then why make it ?To show that not only do you subscribe to Private Eye ('Right on 'bro' !) but that you have read a work from the world canon of serious literature."Who's a clever boy then" ?

John Hawkes ● 15d

How droll🙄

Sue Hammond ● 15d

No comment needed......

Richard Carter ● 15d

Mr Ixer'Mr Hawkes. Are you suffering from heatstroke? I never said I was a friend of Count Binface. I just relayed some information from a discussion on a LinkedIn thread from a contact. 'Sorry.I always start off with the assumption that you know all there is to know on any topic.However, thanks for passing on information from a friend of a friend who is self-important enough to register on LinkedIn.

John Hawkes ● 16d

Mr Hawkes. Are you suffering from heatstroke? I never said I was a friend of Count Binface. I just relayed some information from a discussion on a LinkedIn thread from a contact. 

Michael Ixer ● 17d

The same media who gave Nigel Farage a disproportionate amount of attention before he or anyone from his party was elected?

Carl Broadley ● 17d

Mr IxerI think the issue of publishing any image online of children is very important.There will always be perverts using social media sites and the best way for parents to protect children from them is not to boastfully post pictures of them on such and control access to them by their offspring.And you tell us you are also a friend of 'Count Binface'.If he is such an upright and right-on sort of chap as described by you, why does he masquerade the way he does and distort and demean our politics ?Just so he and you can feel good about yourselves for holding views a Reform supporting electorate would disagree with ?And don't forget that Harry the Ginger Whinger himself deprecates his Invictus efforts by his self-important and status driven comments on all manner of topics.But then when you marry into American publicity driven celeb society this is what happens.

John Hawkes ● 17d

Mr Ixer'Mr Hawkes.  I understand the National Crime Agency is now investigating some of the donations to Reform. There seems to be some concern that there has been a criminal offence, I assume by the donors rather than the Reform company, because the transactions or their trails have triggered some anti-fraud alert. 'So neither Farage nor Reform are being investigated.Thanks for clarifying the fact.Keep us posted so I don't have to give more clicks to the Guardian !Now we can get back to comparing the policies of Farage and PM designate Burnham particularly over their attitude towards Israel and the Palestinians and plans to cut the Welfare costs the country is incurring.

John Hawkes ● 17d

Mr Hawkes.  I understand the National Crime Agency is now investigating some of the donations to Reform. There seems to be some concern that there has been a criminal offence, I assume by the donors rather than the Reform company, because the transactions or their trails have triggered some anti-fraud alert. 

Michael Ixer ● 17d

Mr HawkesI have to admit I was not entirely accurate, on this occasion Jake Moore was talking about the use of AI to sexualise the images of children posted on online. I'd have thought that's something you might consider important? It's a type of scam I suppose, but slightly different to his usual themes on AI manipulations to extort money or North Koreans applying for remote working job applications with US Big Tech he shows. Yes, he is an expert in that field (and a former policeman).https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vmdwKecnIu0(The clip may be proceded by ads.)I'm not sure it's his opinions that are relevant, it's making children, parents, grand-parents and schools aware of what's happening and highlightingthe risks to the childrenin their care. Feel free to ignore if you think it's unimportant. Anyway, this time Count Binface could be in with a chance! If the combined Labour, Conservative, LibDems Clacton voters from 2024 voted for "the Count" he'd gain 24,219 votes while if Farage voters stayed unchanged he'd score 21,225 votes. Apparently, according to another LinkedIn contact, Jon Harvey (the real "Count"), is a smart, articulate, centrist democrat; pro-Europe, pro legal immigration, anti-cronyism and anti-populist - and I've seen elsewhere Burnham seemed chummy with him at Makefield (I've not verified that). It could be an interesting by-election - perhaps Good Morning Britain made the correct editorial decision :-)I suppose the security of Harry's and Megan's visit is of interest; it might be embarrassing if they were kidnapped or attacked? I guess the important aspect of Harry's visit is his involvement with and promotion of the Invictus Games - it's perhaps unfortunate if that's clouded by all the tabloid fuzz around his personal family and security talk?

Michael Ixer ● 17d

Mr BrigoAs usual you miss the point.Farage is being investigated regarding payments to fund his political activities and whether they offend against Parliamentary guidelines.If they do then I assume he will have to refund them.Nicola Sturgeon's husband was found guilty of criminal offences relating to the misappropriation of funds donated by the general public to support the Scottish independence capaign.He spent them on a £80K camper van, an art deco salt and pepper set and at least three coffee making machines.He is now serving a 4 year sentence.Yet you think both instances are comparable which speaks volumes for your political nouse.

John Hawkes ● 17d

"supposed irregular financial dealings"now subject to formal police investigations.By the way, weren't you all crowing ecstatically when Nicola Sturgeon's husband was under investigation?

Michael Brigo ● 17d

Steven'The attention given by the media to Count Binface is evidence, if evidence were needed, of a concerted effort to mock and belittle Nigel Farage. Instead of attacking him personally, why not engage in  rational discussion of his party's policies?'Too true - just read the page after page of attacks on Farage and his supposed irregular financial dealings in the Guardian.Little if any analysis of his policies.But then this lack of genuine political scrutiny is also true regarding our Prime Minister designate Andy Burnham whose only public policy statement I have read is that under him Labour will be more supportive of the Palestinians.Bad news for Israel but a vote winner in many Muslim conclaves in our city centres.Oh I have just remembered his other policy is to have a Number 10 sub-office in Manchester !

John Hawkes ● 17d

Mr Ixer'Has the world gone mad? One of my Cybersec LinkedIn contacts was miffed that his appearance on Good Morning Britain on AI scams was bounced Wednesday in favour of an interview with Count Binface.'Is your contact an expert on AI scams ?Are we at risk for not having heard his opinions ?Surely the Good Morning Britain audience is more interested in the 'Harry and Meghan visit saga' than it is in cyber security.And good for them !

John Hawkes ● 17d

The attention given by the media to Count Binface is evidence, if evidence were needed, of a concerted effort to mock and belittle Nigel Farage. Instead of attacking him personally, why not engage in  rational discussion of his party's policies? I think there are two main reasons why Farage's critics resort to personal abuse. In some cases they are imply ignorant of Farage's policies. All they know and all they want to know is that he is 'right wing' and therefore by definition evil. In other cases they fear that on some issues (eg the need to cut taxes, reduce welfare spending and secure our borders) he might be right. But rather than admit that, with the prospect of being cancelled by their friends,, they prefer to bang on about his alleged misdeneanours. My personal position is that I agree with many of the things that Farage says but I think Reform's policy of mass deportation of illegal immigrants is absurdly impractical and I disapprove of his cosy attitude to Putin, so I won't vote for him. I shall vote for Kemi, if by some miracle we get a GE.

Steven Rose ● 18d

Hello Steven,I agree with you on some points but obviously not all.Political donations are an important issue but today, defence of the country is desperately important and urgent!"Yet the media focus on Nigel Farage..."  is this not what happened to Starmer too?Asking the next prime  minister what he will due to arrest our economic decline is a very good idea but you will never get a straight answer - just like all politicians.....What is the reason for this obsession with Farage?  His personality and his track record.  He very rarely attended the meetings in Brussels when he was and MEP but has criticized them no end.  He is barely seen in Clacton but has the audacity of resigning as their MP and standing at the byelection...  Honesty somewhere?Personally, I dislike him as much as Trump (and it is not TDS!!!).  Both are solipsistic to the extreme meaning totally self-centered, their views are the only correct ones and the only ones that count. I am not a leftist nor Labour supporter, I think the country needs to face up to the bankruptcy we are facing  but we must agree that drastic cuts to budgets started with the coalition government.Of course, policies introduced by the current government did not help the economy one iota and am not very hopeful for the next one.I just wish the caliber of politicians today were much higher!!!  An example that comes to mind is Maggie Thatcher, even with her mistakes with the poll tax and the privatisation of utilities.  But the reality in the early 80s was much different to that of today.  "You may turn if you want to, this lady is not for turning!"

Ivonne Holliday ● 18d

https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/reform-leaders-fighting-over-who-could-replace-farage-4627276There’s probably a firewall.

Jonathan Callaway ● 18d

Sue, I was quoting inews (the I-paper). They were quoting their own sources in Reform.

Jonathan Callaway ● 18d

Has the world gone mad? One of my Cybersec LinkedIn contacts was miffed that his appearance on Good Morning Britain on AI scams was bounced Wednesday in favour of an interview with Count Binface. (Should I have said "binned" not "bounced"?)

Michael Ixer ● 18d

Mr Brigo'Farage has committed a massive self own - he's going to spend the next month fighting out with a bin and looking like an absolute laughing stock.'Perhaps you could offer him advice from your personal experience of trying to avoid appearing as such on this Forum !

John Hawkes ● 18d

@JonathanI probably agree that a lot of Tories loath Farage but that feeling is fuelled by fear - fear that they might lose their seat to Reform in the next GE.  Kemi has recently been squawking that the Conservatives would not enter into a coalition with Reform despite the fact that no such overture has even been broached.🤷🏻‍♀️ I would like to know where this ‘senior Reform figures are fighting like rats in a sack’ rubbish comes from because nothing that I receive from Reform HQ supports what you infer?  As a Reform supporter who is involved on several of the Party’s forums I can tell you that the media furore over the £5M gift cuts very little ice with Reform members, and the current witch-hunt targeting Farage will not deter his core voters.  Important information for the people who have accused NF of calling the by-deletion in order to stop the Standards Committee from doing its job - it has not halted its investigations and the report will be published in the appropriate time frame.

Sue Hammond ● 18d

I agree on both points.  But are these really the only things exercising the public?  I think not.Anyway, this thread is supposed to be about Farage, so that is why I only commented on Farage.

Jonathan Callaway ● 18d

Farage has committed a massive self own - he's going to spend the next month fighting out with a bin and looking like an absolute laughing stock.

Michael Brigo ● 18d

Mr Wheeler'I feel Starmer’s appointment of Mandelson and the blatant lack of proper investigation over the grooming gangs actually more important to this country’s standing than the outcome of Farage Standards Committee'.Absolutely.Attacks on Farage regarding receipt of political donations are just cover to hide the appalling record Labour has regarding the grooming gang issue.And don't forget Starmer's free suit and sunglasses freebee scandal and Angela Rayner's seemingly dubious dealings regarding Capital Gains Tax. And how come Burnham, the King of Manchester, was unaware of what was going on in Oldham not seven miles from his Mayoral  office ?

John Hawkes ● 18d

@ JonathanI feel Starmer’s appointment of Mandelson and the blatant lack of proper investigation over the grooming gangs actually more important to this country’s standing than the outcome of Farage Standards Committee.Honestly you guys need to understand what actually impacts the public.  Starmer will scuttle off to the Lords along with Khan leaving a tranche of victims all over “racist far right” language.

Robert Wheeler ● 18d

Ms Stevens'But never mind about the grooming gangs murdering, stabbing and raping people that's Ok. Also taking all accommodation as well. Obviously other Countries have stronger leadership than what is in at the moment'.I doubt if Mr Carter cares a toss about the crimes committed by Islamic immigrants nor about the strain they place upon our public services to the detriment of the indigenous British public.It comes down to his belief in the leftist testament.He will continue to pose as a defender of those of a darker skin colour than his own to satisfy his sense of righteousness and blame all the troubles of the world on those pesky, uppity Jews.

John Hawkes ● 18d

The dislike of Farage runs far more deeply than among the "bien pensant lefty" crowd.  Many traditional Tories loath him and it is only those on the far right of that party that have defected to Reform.For many years Farage has enjoyed the uncritical support of vast chunks of the media - not just the Mail and Express but also the Telegraph - and now of course GB News, which operates like a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reform UK Ltd.But that is changing, not because Farage has said anything any more outrageous than in the past, but because of the £5mn gift from a longstanding Reform donor, and now the gifts from the convicted felon George Cottrell.  None were declared though the parliamentary rules require donations 12 months prior to election to be registered.  The standard committee will complete its review of the charges against him when (if?) he is reelected.Nobody other than his diehard fans seem impressed at how he has reacted to attempts to question him about this money and he may be losing the support of the Mail and the Telegraph, if not the Express and GB News.  So this is not an establishment plot, it is a self-inflicted wound that would have been terminal for most politicians, and may yet see him stand aside as head of Reform.  I understand the senior Reform figures are 'fighting like rats in a sack' (inews) to  agree on a succession plan.  Tice, Jenrick and Yusuf are the apparent frontrunners.

Jonathan Callaway ● 18d

I agree with you, Barbara. Richard is long on vituperation (‘feeble, laughable, whining, pathetic, crass’ etc) but short on rational argument.  Yes, two MPs were actually murdered and Diane Abbott has been the victim of nasty racial abuse, as has Luciana Berger (not that Jeremy Corbyn was too concerned about her treatment by antisemites in the Labour Party). But Farage has been physically assaulted and credible threats have been made against his life. And he has been the target of verbal abuse for over 30 years. If he were a snowflake he would have retired from public life years ago. The allegation that he cannot stand criticism is patently absurd. It is just another form of abuse from those who despise him and fear that his party might win the next election. I am suspicious of the eagerness of those on the left to attack Farage personally and their reluctance to discuss the real issues facing the country - slow growth, high levels of taxation, poor defence capability, open borders and an ever-increasing benefits bill.  Why is that? I believe it is because they know that the solution to these problems requires abandoning some of the left wing orthodoxies which they hold dear. If you have been a bien pensant lefty all your life, associating socialism with virtue, it is difficult to admit that you have got it wrong or at anyrate that times have changed and that correctives need to be applied.

Steven Rose ● 18d

Oh Dear Richard, you really go to town when you don't like somebody. You say such horrible things about Farage trying to belittle him, that obviously you don't want him in.  But never mind about the grooming gangs murdering, stabbing and raping people that's Ok. Also taking all accommodation as well. Obviously other Countries have stronger leadership than what is in at the moment.

Barbara Stevens ● 18d

Of course Farage is a snowflake, and feeble attempts to portray him otherwise are simply laughable. In particular, his whining in the pathetic address to the nation that he is "the most physically and verbally attacked public figure or politician of modern times" was crass, and an insult to the memory of Jo Cox and David Amess - to say nothing of the vile, racist treatment of MPs like Diane Abbott. Of course, it's true that Farage has had a milk shake thrown at him, does that count?

Richard Carter ● 18d

Starmer has come under attack for constantly flip flopping on policies and no backbone.  Burnham appears to be going down the same route but nobody really knows because he doesn’t want to debate what he stands for.Amusing the criticism Farage has come in for calling an election and our shoe in Burnham is frightened of one.

Robert Wheeler ● 18d

Sir Kier has come in for a lot of criticism on this forum and elsewhere. Perhaps the more controversial one's comments are, the more press attention one attracts? Proposals such as leaving the ECHR are surely going to attract a lot of attention? As are dubious claims about the benefit of leaving the EU? Didn't Johnson also attract a lot of press attention? And Jacob Rees Mogg? And Tony Blair?

Michael Ixer ● 18d

Has any politician been the target of more public criticism than Farage? He was even debanked because of his views. The narrative that he is a snowflake unable to withstand criticism is simply wrong and rather silly. We should be talking about policies, not personalities.

Steven Rose ● 18d

Although Hodges was once a Labour Party member he has been earning his crust at the Telegraph, Mail and Spectator for many years.  One assumes his editor at the Mail agrees with his view of Farage, otherwise the piece would have been spiked.

Jonathan Callaway ● 18d

Richard Carter ● 18d

Steven'Attacking Nigel Farage is displacement therapy for those on the left who foolishly voted for Keir Starmer and fear that Andy Burnham will be no better.'Spot on !The Guardian has had pages and pages of attacks on Farage - far more even than those condemning Trump.Meanwhile newly elected MP Burnham slips into the HoC, will be acclaimed leader of the Labour Party and hence our Prime Minister by default with the electorate having no say in the matter.Neither the Guardian or 'the left' see anything wrong with this.However much flak Farage has to take from the establishment left, he commands almost as much support as Polanski the new revolutionary hero of the liberal elite. Starmer: -43%Farage: -19%Polanski: -17%Burnham: -7%Badendoch: -6%Davey: -5%.None of these figures show much confidence from the electorate in the Parties, their leaders and their policies.Though the LibDems look to be worth a quick tenner at Betfred !But I believe that however poor a political leader Starmer was, it was the Labour policies he had to promote rather than his communication skills that did for him.That won't change with 'running shorts' Burnham jogging to the Front Bench to take charge and the Labour Party knows it.The electorate wish to see an effective economic and immigration policy from Labour, but at the micro and practical level these do not exist.

John Hawkes ● 19d

Whatever one thinks of Nigel Farage, he can hardly be described as a snowflake, having put up with constant abuse since he entered politics over 30 years ago. I can remember him giving a speech in the European Parliament in 2017  while a demented Labour MEP held up a sign behind him saying,' This man is lying to you'. Dan Hodges, by the way, is the son of former Labour MP Glenda Jackson, so no surprise that he dislikes Farage.

Steven Rose ● 19d

An interesting assessment of Farage here:"Nigel Farage is meant to be a populist warrior. The embittered, cry-baby who hid behind his podium and his advisers yesterday and raged at the world is anything but. To use a phrase he and his supporters are very keen on, he has turned into British politics' biggest 'snowflake'. And the heat generated by his sleazy dealings and relationships is seeing him melt under the pressure."Where was this from, the Guardian, the Independent? Noooo, that was Dan Hodges in the piece in the actual Daily Mail that Jonathan cited above.Snowflake Farage: I  love it!

Richard Carter ● 19d

Sue,Why should anybody admit to something they have not done?Also, it would not surprise me if many people did vote Labour to get the conservatives out, not because they believe in Labour.Finally, there are many more voters in the UK than in Putney!

Ivonne Holliday ● 19d

Should be: "As Alan, now Lord, Sugar said, perhaps ...'

Michael Ixer ● 19d

I have a feeling that Farage has missed the point. It's acceptable for people in government to have and make wealth. However, isn't it all about transparency? For example, Rishi Sunak and his family are wealthy but it's clear that wealth came from his own efforts working hard for Goldman Sachs and some hedge funds, and the Indian IT company built by his wife's father. It's particularly important where those transactions involve crypto currencies. It's a fact that Bitcoins in particular have been used by criminals, specifically hackers, to manipulate their ill gotten gains avoiding regulatory controls, and have been used by others to avoid regulations and money laundering controls. That doesn’t mean all crypto funds are fraudulent - I've an ex colleague that works in an anti money laundering role for crypto token financial organisations who are legitimate traders in crypto assets - but it's all about being seen to follow regulations and demonstrate compliance with them. I'm sure the NCA will now verify the legitimacy of his transactions. As Alan, Lord, Sugar perhaps if politicians had to follow the rules like company directors, who can be put in prison for making false statements, politics would be a lot better! Now there's a self made man not part of the old establishment like public schoolboy, trader and friend of tge minor aristocracy Farage ...

Michael Ixer ● 19d

Political donations are an important issue but not the most important issue facing the country. Yet the media focus on Nigel Farage to the exclusion of discussion of what the next prime minister should do to arrest our economic decline. What is the reason for this obsession with Farage? I believe it is due in part to a reluctance of those on the left to face up to the bankruptcy of their tax and spend ideology. It is easier to attack bogeymen on the right than construct a coherent programme of reform.

Steven Rose ● 19d

Bit of a dilemma here for fans of both the Mail and Farage. They’ve turned against him.https://www.dailymail.com/columnists/article-15960301/self-pitying-evasive-boorish-Farage-DAN-HODGES.html(Is this the right thread?)

Jonathan Callaway ● 19d

Sorry *Steven!  Pesky predictive text strikes again!

Sue Hammond ● 19d

Quite right Stephen.  Isn’t it strange that nobody on here will admit for voting for Labour?

Sue Hammond ● 19d

I am sorry, Steve, but that is utter poppycock!The fact that I do not like Farage for many reasons does not mean that I vote Labour!!!!Can you please stop this binary line of thought which is totally incorrect if not appalling!

Ivonne Holliday ● 19d

Attacking Nigel Farage is displacement therapy for those on the left who foolishly voted for Keir Starmer and fear that Andy Burnham will be no better.

Steven Rose ● 19d

@MBI have never watched that rubbish but I assume Farage and his daughter posed for that photo voluntarily, this is the crucial difference.

Sue Hammond ● 19d

Could this be Count Binface's opportunity to win a seat in Parliament? If no one else other than him and Farage stand in the by-election could all the other parties' supporters register a protest vote for Count Binface? 

Michael Ixer ● 19d

The press investigate pretty much everyone, that's the joy of a free press and how we found out about all the other political scandals over the years. He's not a disrupter, he's a very naughty boy, and as a reminder of his desire to 'keep his family out of the press', here's a photo of him and his daughter on i'm a celeb.

Michael Brigo ● 19d

Why were they running this investigation?  Farage hasn’t committed a crime so surely if there is a legitimate parliamentary question it is up to the Standards Committee.  Unless you live in Clacton l wouldn’t worry about it and in a democracy people in Clacton can vote for who they want.Farage has always been a disrupter.  Lots of people dislike Starmer but nobody publishes personal information about family members.  Quite laughable that Starmer who throws the word “sleaze” around seems to forget Mandelson, etc.

Robert Wheeler ● 20d

"the Times had published a photo of his daughter’s house and she is now being harassed by the press. "No, they were running an investigation into why Five homes Farage has got five homes but only declared two.You can read about it all easily enough but I guess you will choose not to.

Michael Brigo ● 20d

Not quite right.  He certainly pointed out all the attacks made on him but was particularly incensed that the Times had published a photo of his daughter’s house and she is now being harassed by the press.  I will find the video link to his compete statement and people can hear and make up their own mind and ignore your biased nonsense.

Sue Hammond ● 20d

You missed off the first 20 mins where he whinged on endlessly about "the press don't like me" and "won't stop looking into my finances, it's annoying"

Michael Brigo ● 20d

“ Farage to resign as Clacton MP - triggering by-electionReform UK leader Nigel Farage has announced he is resigning as an MP, triggering a by-election in Clacton.He confirms he will contest the upcoming vote.The Reform leader says: " I've thought about it hard and I've decided today, today I will resign as a member of parliament for Clacton-upon-Sea thereby forcing a by-election, which should happen in short order."Now, I've decided the people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions."This will be a people vs the establishment by-election."It's a chance to stick two fingers up to the establishment, to frankly to tell them where to go. And that is why I will be putting my name forward to stand in this by-election."

Sue Hammond ● 20d