Brexit figurehead Nigel Farage to run in UK election after U-turn

Farage previously led the UK Independence Party, which rose to prominence in the 2010s on a platform of quitting the European Union, reducing immigration and opposing multiculturalism.

However, the party never succeeded in winning seats in general elections, and Farage failed to become a member of parliament despite standing multiple times.

He subsequently quit UKIP and formed the Brexit Party. This later became the right-wing populist Reform Party under a new leader, while Farage stepped away from politics and focused on media commentary.

Reform announced Monday that Farage would become its leader as well as standing to be an MP.

The party is not expected to make significant electoral gains in the July 4 vote, but Farage’s arrival may shake up the campaign widely seen as a two-horse race between the incumbent Conservative Party led by Rishi Sunak, and the Labour Party led by Keir Starmer.

Polls broadly suggest Labour will return to power after 14 years.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated shortly.