By GB News (Politics) | Created at 2026-09-05 14:46:24 | Updated at 2026-09-05 16:13:53
2 hours ago
Nigel Farage has revealed his personal plan for the next general election and claimed Reform UK is 80 per cent ready to fight a snap poll.
Mr Farage, who went into the final day of Reform UK's conference stung by yet another funding row, dismissed rumours he had come close to quitting earlier this summer despite admitting he had felt "pretty cheesed off".
When asked by GB News whether he intends to lead Reform UK into the next general election, Mr Farage said: "Well, I'm pretty fit."
The Clacton MP also joked: "I've peaked so many times over the years, you wouldn't believe it."
However, Mr Farage insisted rumours of him potentially stepping down as Reform UK leader were not true.
The 62-year-old, who resigned as Ukip leader on three separate occasions before returning to the frontline, said: "I didn't come close to quitting, but I certainly had a very difficult time with my family, who have always supported me."
Mr Farage instead told GB News that he was simply not having "fun" earlier this summer until he contested the Clacton by-election.
But the Reform UK leader was also asked about a funding scandal engulfing the upper echelons of the party.
Top Reform aides Dan Jukes and James Orr were forced to resign pending an internal probe after being stung by undercover journalists investigating donations to the party.
Mr Farage, who would not discuss the pair directly, told GB News: "There has been a heavy, coordinated attempt by political parties and media outlets to try and sully the name of Reform.
"And I suspect it won't go away. Now, look, if we do wrong, we will hold our hands up and not run or hide from it.
"And you know something? I asked the voters of Clacton a few weeks ago what they thought of all this, and they returned me with a massively increased majority.
"So, yes, I get it. There'll be some people in the middle out there who aren't quite sure. That would be worried by some of these allegations."
Mr Farage appeared to send a direct message to voters who are potentially put off by Reform UK's recent scandals.
Despite admitting it had been a "bumpy road", Mr Farage said: "All I would say to those people out there, who are currently unsure, because of the noise that's been around, is just stick with it."
The Reform UK leader, who suffered a poll dip earlier this summer, is still predicting Andy Burnham will call an early general election next year.
"I predicted it in September 2024, when I said Spring 2027 is when it's going to happen," Mr Farage said.
"I've also been the most bearish on the bond markets consistently and I think what you've seen in the last couple of weeks [shows] it's happening."
The Reform UK leader also updated GB News on Reform UK's preparations for a snap general election.
He said: "I was asked about a year ago, how ready we were, and I said we're 50 per cent of the way from being the completed product.
"I put us at 80 per cent now. I've still got to find some big spokesmen for areas like health, defence, and I'm working on that."
However, the Reform UK leader would not confirm whether the party has selected 650 parliamentary candidates to contest the next general election.
Mr Farage instead claimed ex-Tory and Labour MPs had admitted Reform's parliamentary assessment centres were better than those used by other parties.
"If there is an election in May, we will be ready," Mr Farage added.
Mr Farage also addressed how Mr Burnham poses a different challenge to Reform UK than Sir Keir Starmer.
However, the Clacton MP claimed he predicted the so-called "Burnham bounce" and was surprised it was not bigger.
"He's been in 50 days and not done much yet," Mr Farage concluded.
"And, do you know what? Looking ahead for the next three months, I'm very bullish about our prospects."
