Nigel Farage has delivered his verdict on Sir Keir Starmer’s Holborn and St Pancras seat as the former prime minister triggered a by-election by stepping down as an MP.
Speaking to GB News, the Reform UK leader confirmed his party would field a candidate in the north London constituency.
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Mr Farage addressed the issue after he was sworn in as an MP, just weeks after winning his own by-election in Clacton.
GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope asked him if running a candidate in Holborn and St Pancras risked splitting the right-wing vote and allowing Labour to maintain the seat.
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“Surely what you want is the Greens to win that seat politically, don’t you? That’s awkward for Labour,” Chris said.
“If I were that cynical, I would say we fight a big campaign because there’d be patriotic old Labour voters that might come our way and make it easier for the Greens,” he said.
“I’m just not as cynical as you, Chris.”
Mr Farage nevertheless acknowledged the contest could become particularly difficult for Green Party figure Zack Polanski if he stands.
“But if Polanski does stand, it’ll be a hell of a tough challenge for him,” he said.
The Reform UK leader suggested the unusual circumstances of the contest could make it a particularly unpredictable election.
“I suppose voters might think it’s not really going to affect the government majority very much,” Mr Farage said.
“So it could be a very interesting contest,” he said.
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In a cheeky reference to criticism he received for triggering the Clacton by-election, Mr Farage quipped: “I wonder who’ll pay for the cost of the by-election.”
Reflecting on Sir Keir’s departure, the Reform UK leader said: “It doesn’t surprise me.”
“I think the manner of Starmer’s leaving. And if you think back to the words that he gave in his last speech here, it was pretty much ‘my work is done.
“So he’s going quietly.”
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