Nigel Farage has made an extraordinary return to politics by becoming Reform UK’s leader and declaring his intention to stand for Parliament.
The former UKIP leader revealed earlier this year he was undecided whether he would take his eighth punt at trying to become an MP.
And he even ruled it out completely last month - saying he was going to dedicate his time to the US election.
But the staunch Brexiteer has made a dramatic U-turn and will be contesting the Clacton seat in Essex.
“I have decided I have changed my mind,” he told a crowd this afternoon.
“It is allowed you know. It is not always a sign of weakness.”
He says the election “needs a bit of gingering up” as it is “the most boring election campaign we have ever seen in our lives”.
“I promise you after 30 years of experience in the game, something is happening out there,” he added.
“There is a rejection of the political class in this country that has not been seen in modern times.”
The 60-year-old was heavily linked with the Clacton seat in Essex and also rumoured to have another crack in Kent after unsuccessfully contesting the South Thanet seat in the 2005 and 2015 general elections.
This was further fuelled by the ex-Brexit Party leader snapping up a four-bed property in Lydd-on-Sea.
In a post on X this morning designed to stir up speculation, he wrote: “I will be making an emergency general election announcement at 4pm today.”
Caroline Coram commented: “Are you standing for parliament, Nigel? Is that an emergency? Reform supporters would be celebrating.”
Castellan Ardias said: “For the love of God, please stand, Nigel. The country is begging for it.”
Augustus Mustus wrote: “Nigel for PM.”
But others took a less fawning approach, with one user quipping: “Announcing that Brexit was a joke and we should rejoin the EU?”
“I will be making a cheese sandwich about the same time,” another added.
Last month, Mr Farage revealed he thought “long and hard” about whether he should stand in the upcoming election but stressed it was “not the right time”.
He says he would instead dedicate his time to the US election as it has “huge global significance”.
“A strong America as a close ally is vital for our peace and security,” he said.
“I intend to help with the grassroots campaign in the USA in any way I can.
“The choice between Labour and the Conservatives is uninspiring, and only Reform has the radical agenda needed to end the decline in this country.”
The veteran politician launched Reform’s campaign in Dover last week.
When asked by KentOnline back in January whether he would stand again, he had not yet made his mind up.
"I am fully behind Richard [Tice] and what he's doing, but as to what role I might play, I am very much undecided,” he previously said.
“Life is pretty good – I'm enjoying doing GB News. I had fun in the jungle [I’m a Celeb] and I am still fighting the banks. So I have got a lot on my plate.”
Mr Farage added: “Last year was great for me, so I am perfectly happy.
“Do I want to throw myself back Into frontline politics? That is a big decision and I am wholly undecided.”
