How Rishi's snap election gambit killed Nigel Farage's MP ambitions: Brexit champion 'was ready' to run for Commons until PM's shock July 4 announcement - but decided he could not win a seat in just six weeks

23/05/2024

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Nigel Farage's ambitions of becoming an MP were wrecked by Rishi Sunak's bold snap election gambit, it was claimed today.

The PM received a massive boost this morning as the Brexit champion declared he will not be standing on July 4.

In a bombshell move, Mr Farage insisted he wants to focus on backing Donald Trump's campaign in the US. He said he wanted to 'do my bit to help' the party in the UK campaign but that it is not the right time 'to go any further than that'.

But sources told MailOnline that the timing of the election was the big factor in his decision, as he concluded six weeks was 'not enough' to put the work into a seat required to win.

After the news, Richard Tice vowed to make the looming battle 'the immigration election' as he played down the impact.

Mr Tice told a press conference the party was standing in '630 seats across the whole of England, Scotland and Wales'. 'We are going to win seats,' he said.

He also ridiculed Mr Sunak for his rain-sodden election announcement yesterday, jibing that he had been 'drowned out' by 'Remoaner in chief' protester Steve Bray playing the 1997 New Labour anthem Things Can Only Get Better.

The PM was in Derbyshire this morning after shocking the country - and his own MPs - by pulling the trigger on a July 4 contest

Rumours are swirling about a Nigel Farage comeback today as Reform prepares to launch its election push

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The Brexit champion insisted he wants to focus on backing Donald Trump 's campaign in the US, as he announced he will not be a candidate for the Commons

Keir Starmer was on the campaign trail in Gillingham with Angela Rayner this morning

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Official figures today showed immigration easing slightly after reaching a record high

Even senior Reform insiders had admitted they had no idea whether he would turn up to a press conference scheduled this morning.

In relatively downbeat interviews last night, the Brexit champion said the PM had chosen to go for political 'suicide' branding the Tories 'Big State liberals'.

But he only said he would 'think about' his own plans overnight, suggesting Mr Sunak's decision to go early had 'quite a lot to do with me' - so he did not have time to gain momentum in a campaign.

In a statement posted on X, Mr Farage said: 'I have thought long and hard as to whether I should stand in the upcoming general election.

'As honorary president of Reform UK, I am fully supportive of Richard Tice's leadership and urge voters to put their trust in him and Lee Anderson.

'I will do my bit to help in the campaign, but it is not the right time for me to go any further than that.

'Important though the general election is, the contest in the United States of America on November 5 has huge global significance. A strong America as a close ally is vital for our peace and security. I intend to help with the grassroots campaign in the USA in any way that I can.

'The choice between Labour and the Conservatives is uninspiring, and only Reform have the radical agenda that is needed to end decline in this country.'

Anxiety has been growing in Tory ranks about the prospect of Reform gifting Keir Starmer victory by tempting natural supporters away.

The party has been registering above 10 per cent in polls, potentially enough to doom significant number of Conservative MPs - although experts believe they will not be able to win any seats.

Mr Tice is currently leader of Reform, but Mr Farage founded the party and has been mulling a comeback for months.

The timing of the poll in the summer could mean he finds it easier to campaign, as it is before the US election where he will be stumping for Donald Trump.

But Mr Farage has also pointed out that it is incredibly difficult to get MPs elected under first past the post - having failed himself to win a seat many times.

Speaking to GB News, where is a presenter, Mr Farage said: 'I think the timing of this general election has quite a lot to do with me.

'He (Mr Sunak) was scared. He'd heard rumours - true or not, he'd heard rumours - that I was going to go into the frontline political fray, and if he gave me a six-month run against the worst most insincere Conservative prime minister in history, against the most boring house party guest as leader of the Labour party … I think Reform was a very big factor in this decision.'

He added that Mr Sunak had 'chosen suicide over obliteration', and was likely to be left with 150-180 seats, compared to 50 if he waited another six months.

Mr Farage has previously stressed that he will not be joining the Tories, despite a 'very sweet' suggestion from Liz Truss that he would be welcome.

The campaign got off to a less than auspicious start last night as Mr Sunak announced the summer election in a dramatic - and soaking wet - Downing Street statement.

As his suit became drenched, and with protesters playing the New Labour anthem of 'Things Can Only Get Better' in the background, Mr Sunak pointed to inflation being 'back to normal' and insisted he was 'stopping the boats'.

Meanwhile, there was some other positive news for the premier with signs immigration is finally dipping.

Official figures showed a 10 per cent drop in net long-term inflows last year - although the level was still an eye-watering 685,000, bigger than the population of Sheffield. The previous record for 2022 was also revised upwards to 764,000.

Ministers argue that reforms tightening rules on dependents and students have only just taken effect.

The PM joked he is 'drier' than yesterday and had 'brought an umbrella' as he gave interviews from Derbyshire this morning after shocking the country - and his own MPs - by pulling the trigger on a July 4 contest.

He launched a highly personal attack on Keir Starmer, swiping that he had 'no convictions' and voters cannot trust him.

However, he conceded that Rwanda flights will not now take off until after the election.

And the scale of the task facing the premier was underlined this morning with YouGov research showing Labour 25 points ahead - enough for a landslide bigger than that secured by Tony Blair in 1997. Polling guru Sir John Curtice said Mr Sunak's decision to call a ballot meant he is 'either very brave or extremely foolhardy'.

Mr Farage said last night he will 'think about' his plans, suggesting Mr Sunak had gone early to prevent Reform from getting ready for the contest

Party leader Richard Tice has called a press conference at 11am after Rishi Sunak fired the starting gun on a July 4 contest

The campaign got off to a less than auspicious start last night as Mr Sunak announced the summer election in a dramatic - and soaking wet - Downing Street statement

Party whips from the Conservatives and Labour are holding talks to work out what outstanding legislation can become law before prorogation – the end of the current parliamentary session – on Friday.

That includes the Victims and Prisoners Bill, which includes measures to establish a compensation scheme for victims of the infected blood scandal.