Skip to main content

Hello. It looks like you’re using an ad blocker that may prevent our website from working properly. To receive the best experience possible, please make sure any ad blockers are switched off, or add https://experience.tinypass.com to your trusted sites, and refresh the page.

If you have any questions or need help you can email us.

Farage branded ‘chancer’ after being reminded of pro-lockdown remarks

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage meets locals in Barnsley. Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA Wire. - Credit: PA

Nigel Farage has been branded a “chancer” for rebranding the Brexit Party into an anti-lockdown party, despite supporting such measures earlier in the year.

The Brexiteer has lodged papers with the Electoral Commission to rebrand his old party as “Reform UK”, which he hopes will be the home for lockdown sceptics, despite an attempt from Laurence Fox to capitalise on the opposition to Covid-19 measures.

But Twitter users have been quick to point out Farage’s comments earlier this year in which he criticised the government for not locking down sooner.

MORE: Nigel Farage denies changing his mind on Brexit despite u-turn on Norway model

On March 13 he remarked on comments that suggested the government might pursue a herd immunity agenda: “So government policy is that it is desirable for COVID-19 to kill hundreds of thousands of people so that we develop herd immunity. Just can’t believe it.”

It follows a tweet in which he claimed: “Boris Johnson says we will take measures in the future, but not now. This isn’t leadership.”

He made similar criticisms of Hancock, when he wrote: “It says the economy matters more than saving lives. Does he not understand what is going on in Milan?”

Now the Brexiteer is said to want his party to win the support of those that oppose a second lockdown. He tweeted:  “There is no political voice opposing this new national lockdown in England. I think that may change very soon.”

“Well, this hasn’t aged well, has it?” tweeted George Negas, referencing his old tweets supporting a lockdown.

Ben Seager commented: “Nigel Farage is going to be absolutely furious when he reads what Nigel Farage wrote just a few short months ago. Grifters gonna grift…”

Ed Owen said: “Killing many thousands more now the amphibian’s explicit policy”.

“One of many things that hasn’t aged well,” noted Sophie Ogilvie.

The Brexiteer’s opposition to Boris Johnson’s government on Covid-19 and Brexit measures come after he dropped candidates to oppose the Tories during the general election last year, vowing to help the prime minister return to Downing Street.

Hello. It looks like you’re using an ad blocker that may prevent our website from working properly. To receive the best experience possible, please make sure any ad blockers are switched off, or add https://experience.tinypass.com to your trusted sites, and refresh the page.

If you have any questions or need help you can email us.