Nigel Farage blames admin error for candidates praising Hitler
Reform UK leader blames botched vetting contract for slew of controversial candidates.
LONDON — When your election candidates keep praising Hitler, something’s probably gone wrong.
Nigel Farage blamed failures by a “reputable vetting company” for a slew of controversies which have hit election candidates standing for his Reform UK party in recent weeks.
One praised Adolf Hitler as “brilliant,” said he was “able to inspire people to action,” and called Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine “legitimate.” Another said Britain “should have accepted Hitler’s offer of neutrality” in the run-up to the Second World War
And another Reform hopeful quit the race in recent days after it was reported that he previously encouraged people to vote for the far-right British National Party.
It’s raised questions about the vetting process for Reform candidates. The challenger party, which hopes to take on the Tories and is climbing in the polls ahead of a snap July 4 general election, is running hopefuls in almost every seat this time around, posing a major challenge for party chiefs hoping to ensure they are above board.
Speaking to Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, Farage fessed up to the error — and pointed the finger at an outsourcing deal-gone-wrong.
“We paid a very large sum of money to a reputable vetting company who didn’t do the work,” he told ITV’s Good Morning Britain. “We have been stitched up politically and that’s given us problems.”
He added: “I accept that, and I’m sorry for that.”
His thoughts on Ukraine have created a divide between his party and the Tories
Ex-prime ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss said Russia must be defeated
By DAVID CHURCHIL CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT
DAILY MAIL
PUBLISHED: 17 June 2024
Ukraine will eventually have to seek a peace deal with Russia, Nigel Farage insisted yesterday, creating a clear divide between his party and the Tories over the conflict.
The Reform UK leader said negotiations with the Kremlin – which could lead to the partitioning of Ukraine – were inevitable as he laid out the party's policies on defence.
By suggesting the conflict could end without an outright military defeat of Russian forces, Mr Farage risks accusations of being 'soft' on Putin.
It marks a clear difference between him and recent Conservative leaders – former prime ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss insisted Russia must be defeated on the battlefield.
Rishi Sunak also helped negotiate a new £39 billion package for Ukraine to help it fight invading Russian forces at last week's meeting of G7 leaders.
Ukraine will eventually have to seek a peace deal with Russia , Nigel Farage insisted yesterday, creating a clear divide between his party and the Tories over the conflict
Pictured: Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensjy with Swiss president Viola Amherd
Asked if Reform supported the idea of continuing to fund Ukraine's efforts, Mr Farage said: 'We would go on sending money to them but I think both sides need to be told that at some point wars either end in negotiation or catastrophe, and this one looks like going on for many, many, many years – and at an horrendous cost of life.
'At some point there have to be face-to-face talks.
'I'm not suggesting that it'll happen quickly, but at some point that's what we'd like to see.'
Asked if that would mean Ukraine having to give up land, he appeared not to rule it out, adding: 'The tough negotiation has to be over Crimea. That is clearly going to be very tough.
'The alternative to having a negotiation is that [the war] goes on for another five years.
'We can keep pumping money and keep it going, but whether Ukraine can really sustain that loss of troops is an open question.
'It's tough because Russia can keep this war going for ever. We've put sanctions on Russia but of course they've become ever closer to the Chinese and there is quite a worrying bloc emerging against us.'
Mr Farage predicted that if Donald Trump was re-elected US president this year then Ukraine premier Volodymyr Zelensky could soon be forced around the table with Vladimir Putin.
He said: 'If there is a change of American president, Trump will push for these negotiations to happen and my guess is they would happen.'
Mr Farage is a close ally of Mr Trump and his stance aligns him more to Republican Americans, who have expressed misgivings about continuing to fund Ukraine's war effort.
Nigel Farage said: 'If there is a change of American president, Trump will push for these negotiations to happen and my guess is they would happen'
Ukraine is against peace talks because it believes that with Western military assistance it can still defeat Russian forces.
Negotiations would likely lead to a partitioning of the country, with Russia potentially holding on to the territory it has gained in eastern Ukraine, including the Crimean peninsula.
Putin is considered unlikely to concede ground occupied by Russia and is banking on the weakening of Western support for President Zelensky.
Nigel Farage presents vision for wide-ranging tax cuts, increased spending and radical shift in Britain’s economic policy
Aysu Bicer |18.06.2024 - TRT/AA
LONDON
Britain's Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage launched its manifesto Monday, which he described as a “contract” with the British public, outlining a series of populist pledges aimed at capturing support in Labour heartlands.
Speaking in Merthyr Tydfil, south Wales, Farage presented a vision for wide-ranging tax cuts, increased spending and a radical shift in Britain’s economic policy.
Among the key policies is the abolition of the net zero plan, a move expected to stir significant debate given the current global emphasis on climate action.
Additionally, Farage proposed life imprisonment for convicted drug dealers, reflecting a tough-on-crime stance that resonates with many social conservatives.
The tax cut proposals are particularly ambitious.
They include raising the minimum income tax threshold to £20,000 ($25,412) a year, abolishing the stamp duty and eliminating inheritance tax for estates valued under £2 million.
Farage also plans to reduce the corporation tax rate from 25% to 20%.
To fund these measures, Reform UK plans to raise £40 billion by reducing the interest paid on Bank of England reserves.
Farage insists that the proposed changes would most benefit those "trapped on benefits," claiming the policies would provide significant relief for lower-income individuals.
The manifesto also includes social conservative policies, such as a 25% transferable marriage tax allowance and a tax-free income of up to £25,000 for each spouse, aimed at supporting married couples.
The choice of Merthyr Tydfil’s Gurnos district for the manifesto launch was symbolic.
Historically known for its deprivation, the area is currently experiencing economic improvement, reflecting the party’s focus on regions needing revitalization.
Farage described the town as “skint” (broke) and “in real trouble,” advocating for a “slimmed-down public sector” that still maintains essential services.
He previously expressed confidence that the party could secure more than 6 million votes in the upcoming general election.
The assertion follows a YouGov poll that, for the first time, placed Reform UK ahead of the Conservative Party by a percentage point.
He emphasized the growing "momentum" behind Reform UK, suggesting the surge in support is now being reflected in the polls.
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