Nigel Farage says he is ‘leader of the opposition’ after Reform UK poll boost | General election 2024

Nigel Farage has declared himself the true “chief of the opposition” and predicted his Reform UK social gathering will achieve greater than 6m votes on the basic election, after polling forward of the Conservatives for the primary time.

At an impromptu press convention in Westminster, the Reform chief stated there was a momentum behind his social gathering, and he “completely” believes he’ll achieve extra votes than the Tories.

“We’re nicely forward of the Conservatives within the north-east, the north-west, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands and elements of the jap area. In what we name the ‘crimson wall’ seats, we’re considerably forward of the Conservatives.”

He went on to demand that the BBC permit him to participate in a leaders’ debate with the Tories, Labour, Liberal Democrats and the SNP subsequent week, and challenged Keir Starmer to a head-to-head debate on immigration.

“The election is over. Labour has received … however maybe extra importantly who’s going to be the opposition voice to Labour within the Home of Commons and within the nation? I’m placing it to you that I consider that I may be that voice of opposition.”

He urged voters to “be a part of the revolt” of the Reform social gathering, asking them: “What have you ever obtained to lose?”

Nevertheless, Farage additionally tried to handle expectations by refusing to say what number of seats he thought his social gathering would win. After related momentum round Ukip in 2015, the social gathering ended up with only one seat in Clacton in Essex – the place Farage is operating this time.

He acknowledged that the social gathering was not organised sufficient to win seats broadly and that it might “have to lift some huge cash, in a short time” in an effort to be aggressive towards the opposite events.

A YouGov survey for the Instances this week had Reform at 19% and the Conservatives on 18% in voting intention – which was known as the “inflection” second by Farage. The pollsters gave the caveat that Reform’s lead was throughout the margin of error.

In an interview with the Instances on Friday night time, David Cameron warned Farage was intent on destroying the Conservative social gathering and stated his “dog-whistle politics” ought to be rejected. He added that there ought to be no place within the Tory social gathering for Farage and his “extremely divisive” strategy.

Rishi Sunak earlier responded to the ballot by saying that Labour could be handed a “clean cheque” if present polling had been replicated on the election.

Chatting with journalists in Puglia, Italy, the place he’s attending the G7 leaders’ summit, Sunak stated: “We’re solely midway by means of this election proper? So I’m nonetheless combating very laborious for each vote.

“I all the time say the ballot that issues is the one on 4 July, but when that [YouGov] ballot was replicated on 4 July, it might be handing Labour a clean cheque to tax everybody. Tax their residence, their pension, their automotive, their household, and I’ll be combating very laborious to ensure that doesn’t occur.”

He added that there was a “huge distinction” between Labour and the Tories, claiming that Labour would “increase the tax burden to the best stage on this nation’s historical past” after Starmer’s social gathering launched its manifesto on Thursday.

“I feel that alternative will crystallise for folks between now and polling day,” the prime minister stated.

Wes Streeting, the shadow well being secretary, stated Labour was able to tackle Farage and his social gathering.

“We’re going to take him on on the arguments, we’re going to take him on on the problems,” Streeting advised GB Information. “I feel it’s appalling, really, the best way by which he’s had issues pelted at him throughout this election marketing campaign. He’s obtained each proper to be heard.

“We’re going to take him on, on the arguments, and if he’s elected to parliament – and that’s an enormous if, he’s not been to date – we are going to take him on within the Commons chamber.”