In a much-publicised press conference last week in London, Nigel Farage invited Keir Starmer to a one-to-one debate at “a working man’s club” anywhere “in the red wall”. The suggested location was more noteworthy than the debate-me machismo. Its message was clear: having trampled over the Tories in the recent local elections, Reform UK is coming for Labour and nowhere is safe. “Let’s go to one of the former mining communities, let’s go somewhere that Labour has held the seat pretty much consistently since 1918,” Farage said, and then let’s “test” whether Labour or Reform is the real “party of the workers”. If Starmer felt brave enough, they could even “enjoy a few beers with the lads” – a nod to what has always been Farage’s favourite interpretation of what “standing with workers” entails.
Farage’s speech made waves for, among other things, calling for the two-child benefit cap to be overhauled and for Starmer’s restrictions to the winter fuel allowance to be reversed. For the Thatcherite fanboy and former City trader, these were unusual positions, and the Westminster lobby lapped up the controversy – suggesting that, for parts of the Tory press, deviations from austerity will only be permissible when delivered with Farageist chutzpah. “How Farage’s fiery speech signals a seismic shift in UK politics – and the end for Starmer,” the Daily Express declared. “Nigel leans left and hits the bullseye,” Tim Stanley cooed in the Daily Telegraph. The Sun wondered whether they should now call Farage “Red Nigel”.
