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Where’s Nigel?

(327 Posts)
Cossy Mon 22-Jun-26 12:16:33

So, to lighten the mood somewhat, has anyone seen Nigel Farage of late?

Someone a week or so ago stated he’s always in Clacton on Fridays? Is he? Doing what, I ask myself? He doesn’t run surgeries or any kind of meet up or run general meetings with his constituency members, ever.

He last managed to turn up at Westminster on June 3rd, for PMQT, however prior to that he last attended a parliamentary vote on 18th March, having now (allegedly) missed 77 consecutive votes.

What is (or isn’t) this man doing to earn his not insubstantial MP salary?

Is this really the kind of politician our country needs? Are his supporters truly deluded enough to believe this man is PM material?

Cossy Wed 24-Jun-26 11:48:15

Graphite

Its very easy to check as ayesandnoes.co.uk/stats/least-votes do the work for us.

Bar one Alliance MP, two SNP and one very new Green MP, Farage has the lowest voting record with only 170 votes recorded.

Next is Lowe (ex Reform), McMurdock (ex Reform) and Tice not far behind. Pochin is there too but she has only been an MP since May 2025, Even so, she has already voted more times than her leader.

My MP who was also elected in July 2024 has voted 394 times, more than twice as many times as Farage.

I also think that missing 77 consecutive votes is just appalling.

All MPs are paid to serve us, the very least they can do is to turn up at as many votes as humanely possible.

Farage was the same when an MEP and his supporters have the sheer gall to accuse us of judging him unfairly.

He is judged on his public service record and frankly it stinks.

ronib Wed 24-Jun-26 11:54:51

The 5 top voting MPs are all in the Conservative Party….

Cossy Wed 24-Jun-26 11:55:04

My own MP, new to the role, has voted 450 times since elected.

MaizieD Wed 24-Jun-26 11:55:37

Meandrogrog

MaizieD

ronib

Farage is a man on a mission. He wants Brexit to be done properly and he is determined to see it through. Unlike May and Johnson. Must have been a bit galling for Farage to have enabled a Johnson victory for what exactly?

As after 10 years of Brexit (well, 6 years of the actual divorce) voters seem to be more interested in returning to the EU than getting 'Brexit done properly' (whatever that vacuous phrase may mean) I think Farage is on a loser with his 'mission'.

The Government Brexit minister has apparently advised against trying to rejoin.

That's because it's current government policy. What else would you expect them to say?

Cossy Wed 24-Jun-26 11:55:45

ronib

The 5 top voting MPs are all in the Conservative Party….

Which I think shows their commitment, not my chosen party, but they are to be commended.

ronib Wed 24-Jun-26 11:56:53

Probably voting against Labour is a good idea?

Cossy Wed 24-Jun-26 11:57:05

foxie48

I think the point is that he disappears when there is something "questionable" about his behaviour. In this case it's the £5million in his back pocket, at other times he's taking centre stage in the news but he's not seen in the HoC very frequently doing his day job for which he is paid by the tax payer.

Exactly the point! Spot on

Cossy Wed 24-Jun-26 11:58:32

ronib

Probably voting against Labour is a good idea?

For those who support other parties.

I’ll not be voting ever for Reform or Restore, they do not have one single policy which reflects my own moral compass, views or beliefs.

Casdon Wed 24-Jun-26 11:59:01

Sunshinegirls

Yet he's top of all the polls and politicians/people MSM can't stop talking about him. Strange that. Starmer was obsessed with him couldn't wait to get the digs in at PMQs yet Farage is riding high and Starmer has been booted out of office by his own MPs.

He isn’t any more Andy Burnham is currently the top rated politician in the UK. Farage is actually third.
yougov.com/en-gb/ratings/politicians-political-figures

ronib Wed 24-Jun-26 11:59:55

Give it a few months Casdon

Cossy Wed 24-Jun-26 12:00:06

My MP is Labour. I live in a very traditionally Tory dominated area. In my lifetime it’s never had a Labour MP.

Casdon Wed 24-Jun-26 12:02:54

ronib

Give it a few months Casdon

Of course, my moneys’s on a plummet for Farage. How are the mighty fallen.

ronib Wed 24-Jun-26 12:05:02

And my money is on Burnham say 8 months? For a greater plunge….

Cossy Wed 24-Jun-26 12:15:25

I’m still waiting with baited breath for an explanation of the “how* and how much will it cost around Reform’s policies, along with a (sensible and political) answer as to the why people are attracted to both Farage and Reform, other than “he’s a man of the people” and “he says what everyone else is thinking”, which are just sound bites and actually probably not even true.

What have Reform achieved so far for their own constituencies? Anyone?

Cossy Wed 24-Jun-26 12:16:12

ronib

And my money is on Burnham say 8 months? For a greater plunge….

Too hot for such silliness today grin

Casdon Wed 24-Jun-26 12:20:20

ronib

And my money is on Burnham say 8 months? For a greater plunge….

Burnham is bound to become less popular, PMs always do, and he’s only just reached pole position, but it will be a bitter blow to Farage who has been number one for a long time - and at the end of it, Burnham is the one with the power, whereas Farage can’t afford to lose ground. I think Badenoch will be the gainer over the next few months.

LemonJam Wed 24-Jun-26 13:23:01

Chestnut

foxie48

I think the point is that he disappears when there is something "questionable" about his behaviour. In this case it's the £5million in his back pocket, at other times he's taking centre stage in the news but he's not seen in the HoC very frequently doing his day job for which he is paid by the tax payer.

It's pretty obvious he has not disappeared. He's been on breakfast TV a lot lately, has answered the question about the £5 million several times and seems happy for it to be investigated. Let's just wait to see what the outcome is.

Meanwhile, back at the HoC, every time I see Farage there asking the PM something he gets a very rude and dismissive response and his question is totally ignored! It's really no wonder he doesn't go there very often.

Like GG13 I am not a Farage fan and have never voted for him. I just believe that MPs should treat each other with more respect.

Farage has not been on breakfast TV 'a lot lately' at all. He usually calls frequent news conference but recently has not.

I thought his BBC breakfast interviewer yesterday was good and Farage quite rude and dismissive towards her. Now saying the £5million was a gift and a purely private matter. It is not a private matter it is subject to formal investigation as he well knows. He believes his gift could be spent on ferraris, betting on the horses or anything he wants! He said to his interviewer it's none of your business when she asked what the money has been spent on so far. He clearly fails to understand such gifts should be declared and he is answerable as an MP and political party leader to the public for undeclared gifts, particularly to the tune of £5million. No one else to my knowledge ever in UK politics has revived such an enormous financial gift.

Just why a crypto billionaire with Russian links wants to give a £5million gift to Farage is of enormous public interest and concern. What possible reason could there be to give such a gift that could be spent on a Ferrari and betting?!

Farage said "Ive been physically more attacked over many years than any other politician. Just so disrespectful to other MPs that have been murdered.

Farage does not go very often to HoC, and hardly ever to his constituency and does not hold constituency surgeries. But the last time he went to HoC and raised a Q at PMQs he was loudly booed and jeered by all political parties save for his few Reform MPs who looked somewhat bewildered- for the disrespect he showed to Henry Novak's family. His question was answered with dignity and respect by Starmer- not totally ignored as incorrectly stated.

It is Farage that needs to develop more respect.

LemonJam Wed 24-Jun-26 13:34:56

Casdon

ronib

And my money is on Burnham say 8 months? For a greater plunge….

Burnham is bound to become less popular, PMs always do, and he’s only just reached pole position, but it will be a bitter blow to Farage who has been number one for a long time - and at the end of it, Burnham is the one with the power, whereas Farage can’t afford to lose ground. I think Badenoch will be the gainer over the next few months.

Farage cant be happy about the Makerfield overwhelming win AB secured. After 300 positive Reform poll ratings this is a fork in the road. Both with Restore biting on the right- and AB having won so conclusively at Makerfield on the Left. A better blow indeed I agree Casdon.

Whoever wins PM- most likely AB- will gain much media spotlight- positive as well as negative- as is ever the case. Farage has become used to positive media spotlight but even that's changed a bit since last Thursday. This morning the only front page reference Farage secured: FARAGE LOSES THE PLOT OVER THE £5 MILLION and None of your business says Farage of £5m gift.

I agree this is somewhat of a turnaround for Farage and he must can't afford to loose ground as its three long years till the next GE. Reform has not own a single of the 4 by elections for over a year- and that last Runcorn and Helsby was only by six votes. The only MPs gained over the past 13 months have been Conservative defectors. It's not looking good for Reform right now.

Cossy Wed 24-Jun-26 13:41:16

Farage only pops into the HoC when the TV cameras are on, eg PMQS, he should be there, representing his constituency, whether they voted for him or not, he’s paid to serve and represent them all, that is basically an MPs entire raison d'être. If Farage cannot/will not/does not understand his role, he should resign.

Cera Wed 24-Jun-26 13:55:52

MayBee70,
I think you are spot on. He is a disruptor.

Frogoet Wed 24-Jun-26 14:08:40

If you mean personal, arrogant and nasty-oh yes.

ArthurAskey Wed 24-Jun-26 14:14:53

The Reform candidate at Makerfield was a very low calibre individual .

ronib Wed 24-Jun-26 14:17:36

The point has been forgotten that Farage will be around to fight the next election as leader of Reform. We can’t say with any certainty who the other candidates might be.

Casdon Wed 24-Jun-26 14:22:28

Will he ronib?

rowyn Wed 24-Jun-26 14:36:38

Is everyone just sitting down and calmly accepting that the fact that Byurnham is now an MP so he will become Prime minister?

Imay not always be with him, but I'm withFarage wilst he is demanding a General Election.

Surely we're not going to sit down and just accept that Labour is in power and they can choose a new PM just like that!( Not that I know whether he has been chosen yet.
If nothing else, the fact that the Labour MPS seem to be meekly accepting a change of Prime minister, is proving that they believe that Starmer is a failure. And if he is, so is labour.

Are we going to accept this undemocratic attempt to plonk this unknown person who has never been a MP, into such an important and challenging position.?

I could say a lot more, but I wont rant- it's too hot