Keir Starmer Warns Nigel Farage’s ‘Mad Experiment’ Would Ruin Economy Like Liz Truss

Posted on 29/05/2025 by Boris Clair

Keir Starmer will warn that Nigel Farage’s “fantasy” economics would be just as damaging for the country as Liz Truss’s mini-Budget.

The prime minister is set to hit out at the Reform UK leader in a speech on Thursday, two days after Farage targeted traditional Labour voters.

He described the PM as “unpatriotic” and “out of touch”, while also promising to scrap two of Starmer’s most unpopular policies: the two-child benefit cap and the restrictions on winter fuel payments for pensioners.

Farage also pledged to make sure that no one earning less than £20,000 will have to pay any income tax, a policy that the Institute for Fiscal Studies said could cost up to £80 billion.

According to the latest YouGov poll, support for Reform UK is at 29%, eight points ahead of Labour and 10 in front of the Conservatives.

Delivering a speech at a manufacturing business in the North West, Starmer will say: “In opposition we said Liz Truss would crash the economy and leave you to pick the bill. We were right, and we were elected to fix that mess.

“Now in government, we are once again fighting the same fantasy – this time from Nigel Farage.

“Farage is making the exact same bet Liz Truss did – that you can spend tens of billions on tax cuts without a proper way of paying for it.

“And just like Truss, he is using your family finances, your mortgage, your bills as a gambling chip on his mad experiment. The result will be the same.

“Liz Truss bet the house and lost – £45 billion in unfunded tax cuts, with no means to pay for them.

“Markets reacted, the economy tanked and we’re all still paying the price for mortgages, rents and bills that spiralled out of control.”

Challenged by reporters on how he would pay for his policies, Farage said: “You can argue about numbers adding up. You can probably argue that at no point in the history of any form of government has anybody ever thought their numbers added up.”

He added: “We take a fresh approach to everything. I think what I’ve done today is to give you an idea of the direction of policy, of priorities, of what we think is important, what we think it is going to cost and how we think we’re going to pay for it.

“I don’t think anybody at this stage, with a general election some years away, could frankly do more than that. And I believe what I have presented today is credible.”

Nigel Farage Dubbed ‘Snake Oil Salesman’ Over Reform UK’s New Welfare Promises

Posted on 25/05/2025 by Boris Clair

Nigel Farage has been dubbed a “snake oil salesman” by Angela Rayner as he reportedly wants to fully reinstate the winter fuel payments and scrap the two-child benefit cap.

According to The Telegraph, the right-wing Reform UK leader will try to win over left-leaning voters in the upcoming days by attacking Labour’s deeply unpopular crackdown on the welfare state.

The government took the winter fuel allowance of up to £300 away from 10 million pensioners in its Budget last year.

Labour also kept the Tory policy of refusing to increase the amount of benefits families receive once they have more than two children.

The party chairman Zia Yusuf claimed Reform would pay to reverse these policies by cutting the foreign aid budget, closing asylum hotels and ending net zero subsidies.

Responding to these promises – expected to be unveiled in a press conference next week – one broadcaster even went so far as to describe Farage as a new working class champion because of the policies.

On his show Sky News’ Sunday with Trevor Phillips, the presenter said: “In Downing Street this morning, they’re waking up to a challenge from the left.

“The working class has found a new champion, who wants more welfare spending, more nationalisation, and more trade union power.

“His name? Nigel Farage. And he’s seven points ahead in the polls.”

However, deputy prime minister Rayner was quick to call Farage out on his promises.

She told the BBC: “To give winter fuel payments to people who have millions in the bank is probably not a good idea.”

“Nigel Farage says a lot of things,” she continued. “But the reality on my employment rights bill […] Nigel Farage and his small band of MPs didn’t vote for it.

“So when it comes to actually walking the walk, their record is they didn’t vote for measures that didn’t help working people in this country.”

On LBC, Rayner also said: “He can say he’s going to give jam tomorrow, but with all things Nigel Farage – snake oil salesman – it’s not real.

“He’s not said where the money is coming from and therefore I wouldn’t believe a word he says on it.

“If there was any government that was going to do something on this and eradicate child poverty, it’s the Labour government and we’re determined to do that through our task force, and looking at child poverty in the round.”

The Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also attacked Farage’s claims this morning.

“Nigel Farage is someone who is going to say whatever he can to get into power,” she told Sky News.

“I am taking the hard road, I am not going to do that. We spent years chasing polls, telling people what they wanted to hear and not delivering.

“He is doing that now, making promises and then they’ll get into government and can’t deliver it.”

Phillips asked her: “Are you envisioning that Farage could get into power?”

“Well, I hope not, because it would be very bad for this country,” Badenoch said.

Nigel Farage Dubbed A ‘Part-Time Leader’ After Missing EU Debate To Go On Holiday

Posted on 20/05/2025 by Boris Clair

Nigel Farage has been dubbed a “part-time leader” after he missed a crunch Commons debate because he is on holiday.

The Reform UK leader confirmed he was taking his “first overseas break for three years” while Keir Starmer faced questions on the deal he has struck with the EU.

The leading Brexiteer has been notable by his absence since the PM finalised the agreement with Brussels bosses at a summit on Monday.

And the mystery deepened when he failed to turn up to quiz the PM in parliament today.

In a statement issued afterwards, Farage said: “There seems to be great consternation in the press that they have not seen me for 48 hours. Well, they will have to wait some time.

“After months of touring the UK in the run up to our hugely successful local election campaign I will resume travelling the country next week as Reform moves to the next stage.

“Meanwhile I am having my first overseas break for three years, the jungle excepted. Well I say break.. plenty of articles and fundraising calls!”

Ironically, parliament is in recess next week, meaning Farage would have been free to go on holiday then without missing any Commons debates.

A Conservative Party spokesman said: “The part-time leader of Reform UK is sunning himself in Europe while parliament is sitting. He clearly doesn’t have the stamina to stand up to Starmer.

“Only the Conservatives are providing proper opposition to this disastrous Labour government.”

A Labour spokesperson said: “Nigel Farage clearly cares so passionately about this issue he’s decided he can’t get up from his sunbed to represent his constituents or his party.

“He’s not a leader – he’s an opportunist who just talks Britain down whenever it suits him.”

Nigel Farage Roasted By Emily Thornberry Over EU Deal ‘Surrender’ Claim

Posted on 18/05/2025 by Boris Clair

Emily Thornberry has thrown shade at Nigel Farage after he accused the government of “surrendering” to the European Union.

The Reform UK leader has already condemned a deal Keir Starmer is negotiating with Brussels to “reset” Britain’s relations with Brussels, even though it is yet to be finalised.

The prime minister will unveil the details of the agreement following a UK-EU summit at Lancaster House in London on Monday.

It is expected to include a youth mobility deal allowing 18 to 30-year-olds to travel more easily between Britain and the bloc.

British holidaymakers will also be able to use e-gates at European airports instead of having to queue for hours to have their passports stamped.

An agreement over veterinary and food rules will make trade between the UK and EU more easy.

The UK is also set to agree to give French fishermen greater access to British waters in return for a security and defence deal with Brussels.

Farage said: “The whole ‘reset’ is an abject surrender from Starmer and politically something he will come to regret.”

But appearing on LBC today, Labour MP Thornberry hit back at the arch-Brexiteer.

She said: “I don’t think the public thinks that’s relevant. I think they think it’s political elite talking to themselves and it’s not really about real life.

“They do want, if their neighbours run a small business, to be able to export sausages to France and for it not to be held up.

“They do want to be able to travel to Europe and not have their passport stamped and be able to go through e-gates and be able to travel more easily, and they want more money in the economy.”

Asked specifically about Farage’s “surrender” claim, Thornberry said: “Big word for him, isn’t it?”

She added: “Their’s 13 of these youth mobility schemes already with the UK and the sky hasn’t fallen in, and I think youngsters in Britain would like to be able to travel in Europe and so it has to be reciprocal.”

Farage Mocked After Reform Leave Liz Truss Off List Of Tory Leaders Who ‘Broke Britain’ – Exclusive

Posted on 13/05/2025 by Boris Clair

Nigel Farage has been mocked after Reform UK left Liz Truss off a list of Tory leaders who “broke Britain”.

The former prime minister, who only last 49 days in office, was conspicuous by her absence from a Reform election leaflet seen by HuffPost UK.

The pamphlet shows pictures of former Conservative PMs Theresa May, Rishi Sunak, Boris Johnson and David Cameron, as well as current leader Kemi Badenoch.

Underneath it says: “In 14 years, the Conservatives broke Britain. Their record in government must not be forgotten.”

The Reform UK leaflet with no mention of Truss.

But Truss’s omission from the line-up has raised eyebrows, especially since Farage famously praised the disastrous mini-Budget in 2022 which crashed the economy and ended her premiership.

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Today was the best Conservative budget since 1986.

— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) September 23, 2022

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Today was the best Conservative budget since 1986.

— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) September 23, 2022

Farage was also roasted by Keir Starmer last month amid reports that Truss was advising Reform UK.

Meanwhile, a Reform UK “manifesto” published by Farage in the Daily Mail last Saturday also drew unfavourable comparisons with Truss’s time in office.

Mike Tapp, the Labour MP for Dover and Deal said: “It beggars belief that Nigel Farage is letting Liz Truss off scot-free on his leaflets.

“As he parades his new Truss-style unfunded ‘manifesto’, it appears he’s forgotten her disastrous mini-Budget crashed the economy and sent people’s mortgages soaring.

“Perhaps Nigel Farage thinks her time in office was a success. He’s copying her approach to economic vandalism, and backing her record. That’s a kick in the teeth for people still paying the price for her reckless time in office.

“The toxic Truss-Farage partnership would need nothing short of a disaster for Britain.”

Reform UK has been contacted for comment.

Reform UK Is Gaining Voters’ Trust Across The Country – But Is It Already Misleading The Public?

Posted on 09/05/2025 by Boris Clair

Nigel Farage’s success in last week’s local elections proved Reform UK can transform opinion poll leads into tangible results.

And it looks increasingly likely that the right-wing party’s leader – who was only elected to be the Clacton MP last July – just might be in with a chance of entering No.10 at the next general election, expected in 2029.

Even his rivals, such as Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden, have agreed he might be on course for a major electoral win unless they take drastic action.

Reform UK’s sudden popularity has shaken up Britain’s traditional two-party political system by comprehensively defeating both Labour and the Conservatives at last week’s local elections.

They even managed to overturn a 14,700 majority to win the Runcorn and Helsby by-election from Labour.

Voters are increasingly drawn to the insurgent party because they believe it will bring change the country after 14 years of disappointing Tory rule and 10 lacklustre months from Labour.

In fact, in January, 19% of potential Reform voters told YouGov they believe Farage’s party is better than its opponents.

A further 11% said they valued Reform’s new approach to politics and welcomed the change they brought, while 8% said they were honest or trustworthy.

But HuffPost UK has found at least five examples where the populist group has apparently misled the public…

‘Remove DEI from Lincolnshire council’

Andrea Jenkyns promised to remove Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) workers from the Lincolnshire county council when she was elected as Reform UK’s first mayor last week.

But, as a Freedom of Information request from the Independent proved, there are no DEI workers in this council.

Reform claims these employees are known as “outreach officers” in North Lincolnshire Council, and hidden under different titles in Lincolnshire County Council.

‘No more work from home’

Farage has repeatedly promised to introduce “no more work from home” which he claims would lead to “increased productivity.”

Reform claim it is unreasonable for staff paid from the public purse to be working from home.

It was then revealed that Reform UK has several paid jobs on offer right now, including “regional director” which include “home working with occasional travel”.

Labour MP Stella Creasy wrote on X that the hypocrisy was “glorious”, although Reform party chair Zia Yusuf replied that, “Reform has no plans to legislate against private companies letting their employees work from home”.

He also claimed Reform can only afford one office right now.

The party alleges that it is “unreasonable” to expect regional directors to be in London five days a week, but all employees based in the capital do work from the office every day.

Britain's Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage is interviewed by Associated Press at their headquarters in Clacton-On-Sea, Essex, England, Friday, June 21, 2024. — Britain’s Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage is interviewed by Associated Press at their headquarters in Clacton-On-Sea, Essex, England, Friday, June 21, 2024.

‘We need a British DOGE for councils’

Reform UK is keen to introduce a British version of Elon Musk’s “department of government efficiency” (DOGE) and “send in the auditors” to all of the 10 councils the party now controls.

“The whole thing has to change. We need a British DOGE for every count and every local authority in this country,” Farage said.

Reform insists there are plenty of examples of councils wasting public money where funds can be redirected to fund vital local services like potholes, adult social care and SEND provision.

But the National Audit Office has previously warned many councils are already so overstretched, they are facing bankruptcy after years of cuts.

Head of the spending watchdog Gareth Davies said in February: “There have been repeated delays to local government finance reform and government can no longer resort to short-term solutions to support local authorities.

“Action to address this must resolve the systemic weaknesses in local government financial sustainability through a comprehensive, cross-government approach.”

Reform will ‘resist’ all asylum seekers

Farage has promised to “resist” asylum seekers being housed in all of the new councils that Reform controls.

He said these people were being “dumped into the north of England, getting everything for free”.

Reform councils have promised to use every legal opportunity, including judicial reviews, injunctions and planning laws, to stop this.

But the asylum system is managed by the Home Office, so it’s not clear if Reform UK could make good on its promise.

‘Net stupid zero’ is ‘destroying’ jobs

Farage’s party has promised to use “every lever” to block “net stupid zero” projects.

Claiming these policies destroy jobs and hinder economic growth, Reform UK says it wants to drill more in oil and gas in the North Sea.

The party argues this would make Britain self-sufficient with its energy supply, as the UK currently has some of the highest industrial energy prices in the world.

But the government is legally committed to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and the already depleted supplies in the North Sea are exported out of the country anyway – meaning more drilling there will not help reduce British energy costs.

Analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit also found that, in Greater Lincolnshire alone, net zero industries add 12,209 jobs and around £980m to the local economy.

What does this mean?

Reform UK has already attracted significant scepticism around just how it will deliver on its long list of promises, especially as Farage has repeatedly dodged questions about how he intends to fund his party’s policies.

Paul Nowak, head of the Trade Union Congress, described Farage as a “political fraud and a hypocrite” who “makes Liz Truss look like a politician with integrity” last month.

HuffPost UK’s compiled list has drawn backlash from Reform’s opponents, too.

Sarah Olney, the Lib Dem Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “So far Reform UK have been too busy cosying up to Donald Trump and fighting amongst themselves to actually get anything done for local people.

“Instead of undermining our national energy security and being an apologist for Putin’s regime, Nigel Farage should be focusing on what really matters to communities from sorting out the SEND crisis to better community policing.

“The local elections showed that Liberal Democrats are the only party holding up against Reform, because we’re local champions who get the job done.”

A Reform UK spokesman said: “Reform UK made history in these local elections, being the first party other than the Conservatives or Labour in modern British history to win this set of elections.

“The British public have elected Reform councillors with a clear mandate to cut waste, improve services and bring about serious change. That’s exactly what we’re here to do.”

Only time will tell whether Reform’s inconsistencies will hamper their skyrocketing popularity.

Reform UK Accused Of ‘Sucking Up To Moscow’ Over Flag Ban

Posted on 05/05/2025 by Boris Clair

Reform UK has been accused of “sucking up to Moscow” after it announced that Ukraine flags will be among those banned from flying on council buildings run by the party.

Reform chairman Zia Yusuf said only Union Jacks and St. George’s Crosses will be flown from now on.

The party later clarified that Reform-run councils will still be allowed to fly their local county flags.

All other flags – including the Ukraine national flags which have been flown from council buildings across the country since Russia’s invasion in 2022 – will be banned.

Yusuf announced the move on X days after the party took control of 10 local authorities following its success at the local elections.

He said: “Reform controlled English councils will move at speed to resolve that the only flags permitted to be flown on or in its buildings will be the Union Jack and the St George’s flag.

“No other flags will be permitted to be flown on its flag-poles, balconies, reception desks or council-chamber walls.”

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Reform controlled English councils will move at speed to resolve that the *only* flags permitted to be flown on or in its buildings will be the Union Jack and the St George’s flag.

No other flags will be permitted to be flown on its flag-poles, balconies, reception desks or… pic.twitter.com/UngyJFgCh9

— Zia Yusuf (@ZiaYusufUK) May 5, 2025

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Reform controlled English councils will move at speed to resolve that the *only* flags permitted to be flown on or in its buildings will be the Union Jack and the St George’s flag.

No other flags will be permitted to be flown on its flag-poles, balconies, reception desks or… pic.twitter.com/UngyJFgCh9

— Zia Yusuf (@ZiaYusufUK) May 5, 2025

Reacting to the announcement, Mike Tapp, the Labour MP for Dover and Deal, said: “As VE Day reminds us, Britain has a proud history of working with allies to defeat dictators and tyrants.

“It tells you all you need to know about Nigel Farage’s Reform that their very first act after winning elections is to ban the Ukrainian flag from our town halls, in this of all weeks.

“But while it is sickening, it should come as no surprise: Farage told us that Vladimir Putin is the world leader he most admires.

“Farage and Reform councillors should stop sucking up to Moscow and drop their ban on flying the Ukrainian flag immediately.”

A Reform UK spokesman said: “Reform UK will proudly fly the Union Jack, St George’s Flag and county flags. Unlike the Tories and Labour, we are proud of our country and history.”

Farage Slammed Over 1 ‘Wildly Inaccurate’ Claim About Children’s Health

Posted on 24/04/2025 by Boris Clair

Nigel Farage has been called out for claiming children in the UK are being “over-diagnosed” with “mental illness problems and other general behavioural disabilities”.

The Reform UK leader told a press conference today that the rising number of children diagnosed with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is a “massive problem”.

He said: “I think we are massively – I’m not being heartless, I’m being frank – I think we are massively over-diagnosing those with mental illness problems and those with other general behavioural disabilities. And I think we’re creating class of victims in Britain that will struggle ever to get out of it.”

The Clacton MP also claimed that it’s a “massive mistake” to let family GPs diagnose SEND children.

But his comments have sparked significant backlash, with Mel Merritt, head of policy and campaigns at the National Autistic Society, accusing the MP of perpetuating “stigma”.

Merritt said: “Nigel Farage’s comments are wildly inaccurate and show that he’s completely out of touch with what autistic children and adults have to go through to get a diagnosis or any support at all.

“For the record, absolutely no one has got an autism diagnosis through the GP – this is just incorrect, wrong, fake news.

“Children with SEND and disabled adults, including autistic people, are not victims who are being ‘over diagnosed’.

“They are people who face huge delays and long fights to get the most basic support across every aspect of their lives, including diagnosis, education, health and social care.

“Spreading misinformation only perpetuates stigma and makes life harder. We’re calling on all politicians to drop the political point scoring and stand up for their autistic and other disabled constituents.”

Similarly, Guardian columnist John Harris – who has written about his autistic son and their shared love of music – wrote on BlueSky: “Farage talking arrant and nasty shit here.

“You can’t get an autism/SEND diagnosis from a GP. People are having to wait years for one.

“This is just Trump/Kennedy stuff, with a flavour of Badenoch & the right wing UK media.”

Minesh Patel, Associate Director of Policy and Campaigns at Mind, told HuffPost UK: “The only victims in this discussion are facts – which are continuously overlooked in favour of fuelling culture wars.

“We agree that disabled people, people on benefits and those out of work are more likely to struggle with their mental health.

“And evidence shows three quarters of all mental health problems are established by the age of 24. But instead of asking what is driving this, our politicians choose to demonise those who are struggling most in our society.”

He added that “mental health does not exist in a vacuum” and pointed to the current squeeze on public finances, the pandemic, and the cost-of-living crisis.

“We will not solve the mental health crisis by stigmatising people who are already suffering,” Patel said, adding: “It is time to face the facts.”

Ahead of next week’s local elections, Lib Dem education spokesperson Munira Wilson accused Farage of “laying the groundwork to axe crucial special needs provision in councils he’s got his eye on”.

She said: “If Nigel Farage had spent any time speaking to parents in his constituency, he’d know he’s barking up the wrong tree.

“The special needs crisis needs urgent repair – not his lazy rhetoric. We need a National Body for SEND to end the special needs postcode lottery now.”

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