Nigel Farage confirms he will stand for Clacton seat in general election
Nigel Farage has announced he will stand as a candidate in Clacton, Essex, for Reform UK in the general election on 4 July.
Last week, he ruled out putting himself forward, instead promising to help what was Richard Tice’s party as it campaigned across the country.
But speaking at a news conference on Monday, Mr Farage announced the U-turn, and also confirmed he would take over from Mr Tice as leader of Reform for at least the next five years.
Politics live: Farage to stand and take over as Reform leader
Mr Farage claimed he had a “terrible sense of guilt” for not putting himself forward when the election was called, saying he felt he was “letting [his supporters] down”.
He then described how he had a “normal day” on Sunday to “reflect” on his decision, where he “walked the dog, did some fishing, popped in the pub”, and then made his choice.
Read more: All you need to know about Nigel Farage
“I’ve changed my mind,” the leader said. “It’s allowed you know, it’s not always a sign of weakness. It could potentially be a sign of strength.
“So I am going to stand in this election. I’ll be launching my candidacy at midday [on Tuesday] in the Essex seaside town of Clacton.”
Mr Farage added: “I can’t turn my back on the people’s army. I can’t turn my back on those millions of people who followed me, believed in me despite the horrendous things that were being said about me.”
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
There had been questions hanging over what role Mr Farage would play in the election, whether that be as a candidate to stand against the Tories or whether he could broker an election pact with Rishi Sunak.
But his decision is sure to worry those on the right of the Conservative Party, who fear they could lose some traditional voters to Reform UK – especially with Mr Farage at the helm.
It may also allow him to take part in some of the wider television debates, seen as key for smaller parties to get their messages across to the electorate.
? Tap here to follow Politics at Jack at Sam’s wherever you get your podcasts ?
Earlier, Mr Sunak downplayed the impact Mr Farage could have if he chose to stand as an election candidate, telling reporters: “One of two people will be prime minister – either Keir Starmer or me.
“A vote for anyone who’s not a Conservative candidate is just a vote to put Keir Starmer in Number 10.”
But the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, Daisy Cooper, accused the Tories of “already becoming the mirror image of Nigel Farage’s Reform”, and said Mr Sunak’s “constant pandering” to the party had “horrified former lifelong Conservative voters in the centre ground”.
She added: “Sunak must show some backbone and rule out Farage ever joining the Conservative Party in future, including if he gets elected to be an MP.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Farage called out for ‘blanket accusation’
Going on the attack in his speech, Mr Farage said the current election contest was the “dullest, most boring campaign we have ever seen in our lives”, accusing Mr Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer of “sounding the same”.
Mr Farage said: “There is a rejection of the political class going on in this country in a way that has not been seen in modern times.
“So the really big message here is what I’m really calling for, and what I intend to lead is a political revolt… a turning of our backs on the political status quo. It doesn’t work.
“Nothing in this country works anymore. The health service doesn’t work, the roads don’t work, none of public services are up to scratch. We are in decline and this would only be turned around with boldness.”
He added: “Make no mistake, we are unashamedly patriotic. We believe that it’s right to put the interests of British people first.
“We believe Brexit needs to be implemented properly and we are going to be the voice of opposition. And I tell you what, I’ve done it before. I’ll do it again. I’ll surprise everybody.”
The Conservatives held the seat of Clacton at the last election with a majority of almost 25,000 – when Mr Farage and the Brexit Party stood down their candidates in a number of seats to help Boris Johnson with his “get Brexit done” campaign.
But the seaside town was previously held by UKIP when then Tory MP Douglas Carswell defected to the party and held a by-election.
He then kept hold of the seat in the 2015 vote, before the Tories won it back in the snap election of 2017.
The other candidates standing in Clacton are:
• Matthew Bensilum, Liberal Democrats
• Natasha Osben, Green Party
• Jovan Owusu-Nepaul, Labour Party
• Giles Watling, Conservatives
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
Read more from Sky News:
Ten Reform councillors quit in protest
Liz Truss sends cease and desist letter to Starmer
As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports9 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway