Brexit figurehead Nigel Farage to run in UK election after U-turn

Nigel Farage, a well-known British politician and media figure, who led the Brexit campaign, announced on Monday that he will run in the upcoming U.K. general election. He had initially decided not to stand as a candidate for his Reform party to focus on supporting Donald Trump's U.S. presidential campaign. Farage was previously the leader of the UK Independence Party, which gained popularity in the 2010s for its stance on leaving the European Union, reducing immigration, and opposing multiculturalism. Despite his long tenure in the EU's European Parliament, Farage never won a seat in the U.K. parliament. He later left UKIP and formed the Brexit Party, which eventually became the Reform Party under new leadership. On Monday, Reform announced that Farage would lead the party and run for a seat in Parliament. Although Reform is not expected to gain many votes in the July 4 election, Farage's participation may impact the campaign, which is mainly seen as a competition between the Conservative Party led by Rishi Sunak and the Labour Party led by Keir Starmer. Nigel Farage, a prominent figure in the Brexit movement and a disruptive force in British politics, declared his intention to run as a candidate for the hard-right Reform UK party in the upcoming general election. This decision could pose a challenge for the Conservative Party, as Farage's involvement might draw votes away from them, making it harder for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to close the gap with the Labour Party in the polls. Farage's change of heart to run for a parliamentary seat and lead Reform UK comes at a crucial time in the election campaign, with the Conservative Party already facing difficulties in the polls and the upcoming televised debate between Sunak and Starmer. Farage's decision to stand for election in Clacton, a town where Reform has shown strong support, marks a significant shift in the election landscape. He aims to attract more votes than his previous party, UKIP, did in the 2015 election and position Reform UK as a major opposition force in the UK. This move could potentially impact the Conservative Party by splitting votes in key constituencies and benefiting the Labour Party. Despite facing challenges under the current electoral system, Reform UK's strategy could influence the election outcome and force the Conservatives to reassess their leadership and direction. Nigel Farage's announcement to run for Reform UK in the general election has caused a stir in British politics, particularly as it poses a threat to the Conservative Party's campaign. Farage's decision to stand in Clacton, Essex, after previously stating he would not run, reflects a growing discontent with traditional politics in the country. Reform UK's aim to attract votes from the right-wing could alter the election dynamics and potentially impact the Conservative Party's performance. Farage's move has raised concerns within the Conservative Party about potential divisions and the risk of losing support to Reform UK.