A reality TV prelude to Brexiter Nigel Farage’s return?

His success on a reality TV show and a rousing reception at the last Conservative Congress have renewed speculation about a return to politics for Nigel Farage, who has vowed to oppose the European Union. For several weeks, the former party leader Reformed UK 59 years old, participated in the program “I’m a celebrity…get me out of here»(I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here”), where he reached the finals of the tournament.

“In the jungle, you will find out who I really am. You may love me more or you may hate me more, but you will finally know (who I am)“, he announced at the start of the game. Spectators could see him with his head in one Camping car Filled with snakes, eating cow anus and goat seeds, engaging in friendly conversation with other participants. In October, he appeared as a commentator on the Conservative Party’s annual conference on television. GB News, fueling speculation of a return to the ruling party. He left the European Union 30 years ago over its support for the Maastricht Treaty that established it.

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Nigel Farage, MEP from 1999 to 2020, who has not attended such a conference since the late 1980s, was applauded by activists and pictured dancing with a former minister. To the conservative right, he may be allowed to return The Tories Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s party is set to make a comeback ahead of the next assembly polls at a time when the Labor Party has been heavily trailed by the opposition in the polls.

After the 2016 Brexit referendum, Nigel Farage campaigned hard, the Conservative Party gradually moved away from “liberal conservatism”. Carried by former Prime Minister David Cameron, his right wing is gaining more and more weight. “His return to the Conservatives after decades outside the party would complete the takeover of the far right.» Richard Hayden, professor of political science at the University of Leeds, told AFP at the dinner.

“Red Carpet”

The former US president is known as “Mr Brexit”. He recently told the Politics Home website that “It was so amazing” If he doesn’tLeader of the Conservative Party in 2026. He later claimed the comment was made “in jest”, leaving the audience confused. For Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, a staunch defender of Brexit, the Tories should “roll out the red carpet” for him. And Rishi Sunak seemed to open a door for him by saying “our party has always been an open church”. The Prime Minister is struggling to revive the Tories despite promising change after 13 years in Conservative power.

According to a recent poll, 11% of voters are in favor Reformed UK, the party founded by Nigel Farage in 2018 to defend Brexit. Such a result could see the conservatives lose several key seats in legislative elections expected by January 2025.

“Welcoming Farage back would be a strategic error, pushing more centrist voters away from the Conservatives to either Labor or the Liberal Democrats,” believes Richard Hayden. David Jeffrey, an expert on British politics at the University of Liverpool, said doubt about his intentions is “a way of getting back to the front. It’s a way of satisfying your ego. However, if he loses the assembly elections, Rishi could upset some of those who hope to succeed Sunak and return to the Tories.”

David Jeffrey believes Nigel Farage is more likely to return to leadership once he’s out of the woods. Reformed UK. “to reformationHaving Farage would be fantastic», he underlines, although in seven attempts, the Brexiteer did not succeed in being elected to the British Parliament.