Has Rishi Sunak flushed Nigel Farage out eventually?

On May 24, 2024

Published: 00:22, 24 May 2024 | Updated: 00:23, 24 May 2024

Rishi Sunak yesterday said he had called an early election because the economy had ‘turned the corner’.

Others have suggested the snap election was ordered because of a lack of cash for tax cuts and fears of another summer of small-boat crossings.

But one unmentioned factor in the decision emerged early yesterday when Nigel Farage ended the ‘will he, won’t he?’ speculation about his plans and announced he would sit out the election.

In a brief statement on social media the Reform party founder and honorary president said he had ‘thought long and hard’ about whether to stand for Parliament again and concluded it was ‘not the right time’.

While he said he would ‘do my bit’ for Reform, his decision to stand aside was greeted at Tory HQ with relief – and a sense of vindication.

Rishi Sunak (pictured) yesterday said he had called an early election because the economy had ‘turned the corner’

Nigel Farage (pictured) said he had ‘thought long and hard’ about whether to stand for Parliament again and concluded it was ‘not the right time’

Current leader of Reform UK Richard Tice speaking at a campaign launch in Westminster

‘We wanted to flush him out and it has worked,’ one senior Tory said.

POLL BRIEFING

PM makes light of his election speech soaking

Rishi Sunak yesterday joked about being soaked by rain during his election announcement, insisting that he is not ‘a fair-weather politician’.

Mr Sunak, who was the target of jibes after being caught in a downpour as he spoke outside No10, admitted that he was now carrying a brolly ‘just in case’.

‘I’m not going to deny that it was a bit wet,’ he said on LBC. ‘I’m not a fair-weather politician. I believe very strongly in the traditions of our country. And when you’re making a statement of that magnitude as Prime Minister, I believe in just doing it in the traditional way, come rain and shine, in front of the steps of Downing Street.’

Asked on Radio 4’s Today programme whether colleagues did not warn him he would get drenched, Mr Sunak said: ‘I don’t think people are focused on the weather.

‘I mean, you know, we’re British, we talk about the weather a lot, but I think this election will be more focused on the issues you and I have been talking about.

‘People will be pleased to know that I have got an umbrella with me today just in case.’

Political lore suggests Labour tends to do better at the ballot box when the sun is shining.

One theory is that Conservative voters are more likely to have cars to take them to polling stations on cold, wet days – meaning that a July election could be a risk for the Tories if summer conditions prevail.

… but he scores own goal with football gaffe

The Prime Minister made an embarrassing footballing faux pas yesterday as he met Welsh brewery staff on his campaign tour.

Rishi Sunak asked workers whether they were looking forward to the European Championships this summer. Wales has failed to qualify for the tournament in Germany.

He asked: ‘So are you looking forward to all the football?’

There was an awkward pause before a brewery employee answered: ‘We’re not so invested in it.’ The Prime Minister nonetheless insisted that ‘it’ll be a good summer of sport’.

It is not the first time that Mr Sunak has found the back of his own net while talking about football. In 2022, the self-described ‘massive’ fan spoke about his team Southampton playing Manchester United when they were, in fact, facing Leicester City.

The visit to the Vale of Glamorgan Brewery in Barry was part of his whistlestop campaign tour of all four UK nations a day after he announced the July 4 election.

‘He’s been teasing people for months about standing at the election. I’m not convinced he was ever serious, but if he had it would have given Reform one hell of a shot in the arm.

‘By calling a snap election he’s been forced to show his hand – and even he realises that six weeks is not enough to find a seat and build a winning position. Without him, it is going to be much easier to squeeze Reform, which we are going to have to do because we need those voters back.’

One Reform insider said Mr Farage had been on the brink of announcing he would make an eighth run for Parliament when Mr Sunak dropped his bombshell on Wednesday. ‘Nigel felt he needed the best part of six months to run a successful campaign for a seat,’ the source said.

Others close to the veteran Eurosceptic say he was always ‘torn’ by his commitment to helping get Donald Trump elected. He has been running regular fundraisers for Mr Trump in the US and is expected to play a major role in the latter stages of the campaign. One source said: ‘Even if the election had been in November, Nigel would have been torn.

‘He would have faced a choice between being a big figure on the Trump campaign and tramping the rainy streets of Clacton trying to get into Parliament for an eighth time. Now, it’s an easy decision because he simply doesn’t have time to gear up – and he does not want to lose again.’

In his statement, Mr Farage cited the ‘huge global significance’ of the US election in November, adding: ‘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.’

Confirmation that Mr Farage will not join the fray is a boost for jittery Tories who feared his return as Reform leader could prove an ‘extinction level event’ for the Conservatives.

One survey last week suggested the former Ukip leader could give the party a six-point lift in the polls – and push Tory support down by four points.

But Reform remains a major potential thorn in the side for Mr Sunak. In 2019, Boris Johnson managed to persuade Mr Farage to stand down his Brexit Party candidates in order to help ‘Get Brexit Done’.

Current Reform leader Richard Tice yesterday said there would be no such deal this time. At a campaign launch in London, he said his party would field candidates in 630 seats, ‘no ifs, no buts’.

Some Tory Eurosceptics such as Jacob Rees-Mogg are already appealing to Reform supporters to ‘lend’ them their votes, while others are seeking local ‘non-aggression pacts’. Sir Jacob said yesterday: ‘The fact that (Mr Farage) is not a candidate for an opposition party is inevitably helpful for the Conservatives.’ Tory central office is also planning several ‘interventions’ designed to dampen support for the Eurosceptic party.

But they may not be done with Mr Farage just yet. Hours after dropping out of the race for Parliament, he said he was quitting his GB News show for the duration of the election to free up time for campaigning. In an ominous video message, he said: ‘If you think I’ve gone away for the next six weeks, think again.’