Ex-Thatcher adviser says Nigel Farage will ‘win next election’ with Reform in shock claim
Piers Pottinger says Nigel Farage is increasingly being seen as the opposition leader
www.gbnews.comNigel Farage’s “electoral history” is best understood as two tracks: his repeated attempts to win the UK House of Commons (many losses, then a major breakthrough) and his earlier UK/European elections as a UKIP leader.[1][2]
House of Commons (UK general elections + by-elections)
Farage stood as a candidate for eurosceptic parties and, in the House of Commons contests listed on his electoral-history record, he lost repeatedly in earlier attempts before finally winning in 2024.[1] On that record, examples include:
- 1994 (Eastleigh by-election): Not elected (UKIP)[1]
- 1997 (Salisbury general election): Not elected (UKIP)[1]
- 2001 (Bexhill and Battle): Not elected (UKIP)[1]
- 2010 (Buckingham): Not elected (UKIP)[1]
- 2015 (South Thanet): Not elected (UKIP)[1]
- 2024 (Clacton general election): Elected (Reform UK), with 21,225 votes and 46.2%[1]
A July 2024 BBC report also described Farage’s breakthrough, including the fact that he overturned a Conservative majority to win Clacton and that it marked his entry into Parliament.[5]
European Parliament (elections)
His electoral record also includes UKIP success in European elections, with multiple wins across the South East England region.[1] For example, the record shows he was elected in European elections in 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014 (South East England).[1]
“Latest news” tied to electoral politics
Recent coverage around Farage in electoral contexts has included reporting on political disputes and results in by-elections. For instance, Sky News reported on a by-election outcome where Reform came second (with Labour trailing).[6]
If you tell me what you mean by “latest news” (e.g., last 7 days vs last 3 months, or UK Commons seat contests vs local elections), I can narrow the news items accordingly.