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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
John Crace

With Nige still sulking, it was left to Honest Bob to unveil Reform UK’s latest ‘policies’

Jenrick gives a press conference in front of two union jacks
Even with Nige there, the event would have been an uphill struggle. With Honest Bob it was dead in the water before he had said a word. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA

It’s turning out to be one of the longer sulks in Nigel Farage’s already sulk-filled career. Few politicians are better at having a strop and holding a grudge than Nige. At least on this side of the Atlantic. Donald Trump could give Farage a run for his money, but skin doesn’t come much thinner than Nige’s. He’s the soul of the Reform party as long as he’s the centre of attention and the yes-men and women – that’s everyone – around him are saying yes. But the moment reality challenges his narcissism, the mirror cracks.

There was a time when you couldn’t keep Nige away from a TV camera or a gathering of reporters. It’s what he lived for. But ever since the Guardian revealed his £5m gift from the crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, Farage has gone all shy. Unable to bear the humiliation of being seen for the man he really is. The posh. The entitled. The venal. The grifter. Everything he has spent the last 25 years trying to persuade people he isn’t.

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