The Guardian view on Nigel Farage: not even Donald Trump is as damaging to Reform as its own leader | Editorial

S.Ne is fixed for British political life is that Nigel Faraj Do not remain outside the spotlight for a long time. After he built a political profession on the handrails against the institution – while, it is paradoxes, including himself – Mr. Faraj finds himself involved in another melodrama. This time, however, the threat does not come from the usual suspects – the rest, or the BBC or the elite “wake up” – but whoever has it Special aspect.

The case revolves around it Robert LoweAn unknown businessman, was elected as one of the five deputies in the United Kingdom in 2024 under the leadership of Mr. Farage. This should have been the beginning of a contribution that could be forgotten in British public life. However, thanks to intervene From Elon Musk – the richest man in the world and “government competence” by Donald Trump – Mr. Louis is the starring role in the latest soap opera in Mr. Farage.

Earlier this year, the technical billionaire was annoyed by Mr. Faraj’s decision distance Sim The right right -wing instigator Tommy Robinson, who described Mr. Louis as a potential alternative. Relations between Mr. Faraj and Mr. Louis have since deteriorated. Their hostility exploded to the open this month, and it reached its climax at the end of this week with the UK reform claimed by misconduct by Mr. Louis, which is what he denies. Mr. Louis, who was hung from the party and lost a whip in Parliament, mocks him as a vanity project led by one man’s vanity. He has threatening To prosecute the UK reform for defamation.

Mr. Faraj’s reaction, however, says. For all courage about Freedom of expressionThe moment the competitor appears – no matter how secondary – its instinct appears to be cut. This is not the first time. His political parties – UKIPthe Britain’s exit party from the European UnionReform in the United Kingdom – more than the sects of personality than democratic organs, the loyalty of the leader had shattered ideological purity. The Farage Challenge does not end well for those who dare. The difference this time is that the intervention of Mr. Musk gives the issue a via Atlantic flavor.

This illuminates a greater problem. If the goal of Mr. Faraj is to expand his electoral call, then the Trump’s association is a impedimentNo help. While Mr. Trump keeps the Republican Party, the US President remains deep Unpopular In Britain, where even conservatives see it as a Legal responsibility. Imagine that Mr. Faraj also Closing Mr. Trump and sympathizer with Vladimir Putin hurts him in opinion polls. The opportunist in Mr. Faraj is known. His strategy was to present itself as the Bibli face of the right -wing popularity – and he applies his love to the amplifiers for his presence in Mar Lago banquet. However, the contradictions accumulate.

Mr. Farage seeks to appear a rebel, but works like Autocrat. He wants to be tried by Trump’s support NumbersHowever, he knows that their influence is likely to repel the attraction of British voters. He wants to grow in the UK reform – but only under its leadership. Despite all of this, this last episode only highlights that Mr. Farage, like Mr. Trump, has always been much better in breaking things than building them. This should be a warning to the prevailing parties that seek to simulate the Tramban dialogue points around the pieces External aid Or dismissal Bureaucrats – Especially with an election coming in the work stronghold. If it ends in the UK in the history of history, it will not be because of Mr. Louis, Mr. Musk, or even Mr. Trump. It would be because, in the end, Mr. Farage is his biggest problem.

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