In another upset to the Tories, Nigel Farage is now standing in the general election for Reform UK, whose leadership he has taken over, in the seat of Clacton, Essex.
The Tories, already trailing behind in the polls, are now facing a war on two fronts. This could turn their defeat on 4 July into a rout.
In announcing his candidacy, Farage is bidding to become the effective leader of the right-wing opposition to the Labour government that will most likely be formed on 5 July.
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‘Taking over’ the Tories?
Farage has made no secret of his ambitions.
Pontificating on whether he would try to become leader of the Tories should he win his seat, he openly said that: “I don’t want to join the Conservative Party, I think the better thing to do would be to take it over.”
How might this happen? According to pollsters YouGov, Farage is the most popular politician in Britain – a damning indictment on the state of British politics, to say the least.
His Reform UK party – which Farage owns and can do what he likes with – stands to gain votes across the country, which will largely come at the expense of the hated Tories.
This means the Tories could face a real wipeout at the election, and be left with a historically tiny number of MPs – a crushing blow for them.
In fact, it would surprise no one if a few more Tory MPs were to defect to Reform UK before the election, in a bid to save their careers.
Popular figure
Farage is already immensely popular in the Tory ranks, many of whom want him to be their leader.
In a particularly revolting spectacle, right-wing Tory ministers embraced him and even danced with him at a social event at the recent Conversative conference.
When it comes to summing up what’s going on at the Conservative Party conference, phone footage of Priti Patel and Nigel Farage dancing and singing along to ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’ could hardly be more on point.pic.twitter.com/mSDiau2gGt
— Nicholas Pegg (@NicholasPegg) October 3, 2023
A battered Tory Party, reeling from what could be its worst ever election result, would then face a leadership contest. Inevitably, the winner would be from the party’s Farage-loving right.
This would signify an even sharper lurch to the right for the Tories: ramping up their culture war rhetoric; scapegoating migrants and refugees; and whipping up hatred against oppressed groups.
Many have pointed out that Farage has tried to become an MP seven times, and failed on each attempt.
But given the immense hatred for the Tories, having presided over 14 years of decline, it’s entirely possible that Farage could win this time.
“[The Tories’] brand is ruined, and what I am trying to do is to establish a voice of opposition to a Labour Party that might be out of control,” Farage stated.
Regardless of whether Farage wins in Clacton, everyone knows that he is a dominant figure on the right of British politics.
Nigel Farage being drenched in milkshake outside Clacton’s Wetherspoons. A three-part story captured by Ben Stansall, AFP/Getty Images. pic.twitter.com/szoadfJwyw
— Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin) June 4, 2024
It was the threat of losing votes to Farage’s UKIP that pushed David Cameron to gamble the interests of big business with his Brexit referendum.
Ever since then, the Tories have been looking over their shoulders, shifting further and further to the right.
Much like Le Pen and other far-right leaders, Farage is a stalwart of politics, perennially in opposition and able to pose as an underdog.
With demagogic rhetoric, he portrays himself as the only consistent fighter against the establishment; a champion for the ordinary, forgotten people of Britain.
This is all, of course, complete rubbish. Farage is cut from the same reactionary cloth as the rest of the establishment politicians.
Revolutionary alternative
The Labour government that Starmer would form will be clearly a government of the establishment.
The cost-of-living crisis will continue unabated. Starmer will oppose striking workers. He will continue supporting Israel. And austerity will continue.
It will rapidly lose support, and will be a crisis government for these reasons.
In such a scenario, Farage could become the de facto leader of the opposition to this hated government, and would become a magnet for Tories. That is the meaning of his plan to ‘take over’ the Conservative Party.
So much for ‘democracy’! British capitalism is in deep crisis, but the Labour Party offers no alternative whatsoever.
The only ‘alternative’ many people will be presented with will be a reactionary, racist politician who, in fact, offers more of the same – pro-capitalist policies disguised with demagogic racism.
It is high time for a clear out of all these lying politicians. The Revolutionary Communist Party is growing rapidly. Fiona Lali’s campaign to kick out the war criminals is a breath of fresh air for workers and youth.
We represent a decisive break with the reactionary politics of the establishment, which includes Farage and his coterie.
We say: Down with the war criminals! Fight racism and demagogy with class struggle!
