Why Nigel Farage's by-election stunt is a sign Reform is set to implode – Barrie Cunning
Nigel Farage is struggling to deal with Andy Burnham’s ability to win back former Labour voters who switched to Reform
If I’d got a pound for every time I’ve said there’s never a dull moment in UK politics, I’d be a wealthy man, although admittedly not to the same extent as Nigel Farage, who’s been showing his true colours under intense scrutiny about a £5 million crypto donation.
For him, it seems the idea of scrutiny is subjective. He sees this as a private issue and nothing to do with parliament, but if the shoe was on the other foot, I’m sure he’d be calling for an inquiry and demanding changes to the system, whilst taking a puritanical stance and claiming to be the advocate of ethical process.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve no problem with people accumulating wealth, making money or businesses being profitable – a good, functioning society and economy need wealth creators who invest, create jobs and contribute significantly to the prosperity of the nation.
A game for wealthy men?
Where I do have a problem is when someone like Farage appears to be trying to evade parliamentary accountability by forcing a by-election in his Clacton seat and playing fast and loose with our democratic process – all at an unnecessary cost to the taxpayer. For me, it’s quite simple, if he has nothing to hide, he has nothing to fear.
To suggest that he could pay for the by-election himself – which he must know is not possible as it is paid for out of a government fund – gives a clear insight into his psychology, which doesn’t reflect the public image that he so often portrays of being there for the ordinary person and acting as a voice for the disenfranchised.
What really gets under my skin is the message he is sending out that, if you have the financial means, you can bypass parliamentary scrutiny, pay for a by-election and that, ultimately, politics is a game for wealthy men.
This is something that should concern all of us. What does this message say to our young people, to women, to disabled people, to anyone who wants to get into politics? To me it says that money talks whilst the rest of us can walk.
READ MORE: Malcolm Offord: Parties refusing to stand against Nigel Farage is an 'establishment stitch-up'
No Farage, no Reform
The whole debacle is completely unnecessary and further illustrates the vanity project that goes to the heart of Farage’s politics and his over-inflated ego and sense of importance in UK politics. Without Farage, there is no Reform UK.
Jenrick might have ambitions to lead the party, but he doesn’t have the skillset to do so and I’m sure many Conservative MSPs and MPs reading this will agree with that assessment. The same is true of Reform’s deputy leader Richard Tice.
It’s just a matter of time until we see Reform implode and some of their politicians go back to the Conservative party. Farage’s by-election ploy is nothing more than a PR stunt designed to position him and Reform as still being the main challengers to Labour.
However, following his recent by-election win in Makerfield, Andy Burnham is likely to become Prime Minister in less than two weeks. With Andy appealing to people beyond the Labour party and winning back ‘Old Labour’ supporters who switched to Reform, it’s clear that Farage is just running scared.
Barrie Cunning is the founder of Scotland 2050 and managing director of Pentland Communications
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