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Nigel Farage on Monday dismissed speculation he would join Britain’s ruling Conservative party with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in charge but the leading Brexit campaigner did not dismiss the possibility of returning to politics next year.
The former leader of the right-wing Reform UK, previously the Brexit party, told ITV on Monday the Tories were a “total shambles” and heading towards “total defeat” under Sunak in the general election, expected in 2024.
Farage, who was speaking shortly after appearing on reality TV show I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, said he would not stand as an MP for the Conservatives under its current leadership.
He said the Tories were “directly to blame” for falling living standards and high net immigration figures, adding that the party had “broken every promise” and “never believed in Brexit”.
However, he stopped short of ruling out joining the Conservatives under a different leadership. He also held open the possibility of rejoining Reform and when asked if he would stand for parliament next year, he replied: “Never say never.”
Farage’s return to politics would pose a challenge to Sunak, who is under intense pressure from the right of his own party to deliver on the government’s flagship immigration policy and is facing a crucial vote on the Rwanda asylum scheme on Tuesday.
“I’m looking at a Conservative government that is in total shambles, facing tomorrow, effectively a confidence vote on [immigration],” Farage said, referring to the vote in parliament.
With the Tories already trailing the main opposition Labour party by 20 points in the opinion polls, Sunak risks being outflanked on the right by Reform, which has pledged to stand in every seat at the next election.
Reform is averaging about 8 per cent in recent polling, but has so far made limited inroads electorally with just 11 local councillors.
Richard Tice, Reform’s leader, told the Financial Times on Monday that he would welcome back Farage should he “feel the need to get the shoulder behind the wheel”. He said any suggestion that Farage would join the Conservatives was “for the birds”.