Nigel Farage: Mr. Brexit's wild ride

Summary

---

Front Burner (CBC)

Episode: "Nigel Farage: Mr. Brexit's Wild Ride"

Date: August 12, 2026
Host: Jason Markusoff (filling in for Jayme Poisson)
Guest: Sam Blewett, Politico

---

Episode Overview

This episode takes a deep dive into the turbulent and headline-grabbing career of Nigel Farage, the driving force behind Brexit and the leader of the right-wing populist Reform UK party. With Farage embroiled in a series of scandals yet seemingly unshaken among a core base, the discussion tackles whether his moment to become Britain’s Prime Minister has passed. Sam Blewett shares insight into Farage’s trajectory, populist appeal, controversies, and the unique state of UK politics in 2026.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Who Is Nigel Farage? (02:23–04:31)

• Farage’s Persona: Presented as an “everyman”—pint-swigging, cigarette-smoking, and plain-speaking.
  • “He’s the sort of pint swilling, cigarette smoking sort of man of the people.” (Sam Blewett, 02:37)
• Political Roots:
  • Founding member and leader of UKIP (UK Independence Party), advocating for Brexit for decades.
  • Served as an MEP (Member of European Parliament) for 21 years, relentless in pushing for the UK to leave the EU.
  • Known for provocative speeches and anti-EU rhetoric.
    • “You have the charisma of a damp rag and the appearance of a low grade bank clerk… Who are you? I’d never heard of you. Nobody in Europe had ever heard of you. I would like to ask you, President, who voted for you?” (Nigel Farage, 03:51)

Brexit, Then What? Farage's Political Afterlife (04:31–05:49)

• Post-Brexit Pivot: Rather than retire after the Brexit victory, Farage shifted to leading Reform UK, channeling anti-lockdown sentiment and libertarian themes during the pandemic.
  • “That could have been a moment that he sort of slipped into a nice retirement. Right... But actually came the pandemic and he started this Reform Party…” (Sam Blewett, 04:34)
• Reform UK’s Rise: Initially minor, the party gained momentum, especially after Farage’s return to frontline politics, culminating in his first win as MP on the eighth attempt in 2024.

Farage’s Political Strength in 2026 (05:49–12:21)

• Shock Election Success: Reform UK decimated Labour and Conservatives in local elections, winning hundreds of council seats.
  • “He seemed like the favourite… businesses started to court him and his party. They started to panic really… The media started treating him a bit more like, yeah, he could be the next Prime Minister.” (Sam Blewett, 10:36)
• Reasons for Popularity:
  • Disenchantment with establishment parties after 14 years of Conservative rule and a lacklustre Labour government under Keir Starmer.
  • Farage capitalized on dissatisfaction with “drain the swamp” populism targeting Westminster elites.

From Brexit to Immigration (06:45–09:25; 15:01–16:44)

• Immigration as Core Issue:
  • “Immigration is the number one issue in British politics… 77% of the British public want cuts… Over half the voters want a reduction to near zero.” (Nigel Farage, 07:28)
  • Brexit didn’t lower migration as many wanted; public frustration remains high, fueled by a surge in unauthorized Channel crossings and a sense of “lack of control.”
  • Farage ties immigration with issues like crime and justice, e.g., promising mass deportations of foreign offenders.
    • “He came out with a big pitch… talking about deporting all foreign national offenders.” (Sam Blewett, 15:23)
• Populist Policies: Emulates Australian “boat turn-back” strategies, aiming for zero crossings under a Reform government.

Scandals and Farage’s “Teflon” Quality (09:25–11:16; 18:04–21:50)

• Parliamentary Probe & Media Drumbeat:
  • Accused of accepting an undeclared £5 million gift from a Thai crypto billionaire; also linked to “Posh George,” a convicted crypto gambler.
  • Changed stories: security justifications, reward for Brexit, or simply an “unconditional gift.”
    • “It’s an unconditional gift. I can spend it on Ferraris if I want. That’d be entirely up to me. I can put it on the horses.” (Nigel Farage, 20:01)
  • Under investigation by Parliamentary Standards Commissioner. Concerns that while die-hard supporters dismiss the scandals with “they’re all at it anyway,” the floating voters he needs might be put off.
  • Notable rebukes to journalists:
    • “You tell your bosses you harass my family anymore and I’ll take you with serious consequences.” (Nigel Farage, 20:25)

The By-Election Circuses (21:59–26:02)

• Farage Resigns and Immediately Runs Again:
  • “This will be a people versus the establishment. It’s a chance to stick two fingers up to the entire establishment to frankly tell them where to go.” (Nigel Farage, 22:17)
• Main Opponent: Count Binface:
  • Satirical, costume-wearing candidate; by-election draws a record field of 34 candidates, some in costume, reflecting British electoral absurdity.
  • “It’s pretty farcical really, isn’t it?… The polling paper is nearly a meter long.” (Sam Blewett, 23:36)
• Clacton Residents: Feel their town is now the butt of national jokes, but even some Farage voters hold him partly responsible. Still, they’re likely to re-elect him.

Threats to Farage’s Future (26:02–29:08)

• Ongoing Dangers:
  • The investigation and media scrutiny continue.
  • National standing potentially affected: new polling shows 61% dissatisfaction with him.
    • “A recent Ipsos poll says 61% of Brits are dissatisfied with him versus only 23% satisfied.” (Jason Markusoff, 27:10)
• Is Farage Finished?: Sam Blewett argues “not at all”—Farage has a loyal base and a reputation for resilience.
  • “He’s a very wily operator with sure a smaller approval rating at the moment, but still a pretty big die hard swathe of a public who will back him come what may.” (Sam Blewett, 27:35)
  • “Three years is a long, long way before an election so much can happen. But you know, with Farage, I hear commentators call him the Marmite politician… Either you love it or it revolts you.” (Jason Markusoff, 28:00)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• The Brexit Era Soundbite:
  “Let June 23 go down in our history as our Independence Day.”
  — Nigel Farage, 04:24

• On Immigration:
  “The only way we get control is to vote to leave the European Union.”
  — Nigel Farage, 07:28

• On Gift Scrutiny:
  “I’ve been the most attacked physically politician of modern times. This money is the only way I can look after myself and protect myself for the rest of my life.”
  — Nigel Farage, 18:39

• Defiant Stance:
  “It’s a chance to stick two fingers up to the entire establishment to frankly tell them where to go.”
  — Nigel Farage, 22:17

• Sam Blewett on Farage’s Odds:
  “He’s a very wily operator... still a pretty big die hard swathe of a public who will back him come what may.”
  — Sam Blewett, 27:35

• Marmite Metaphor:
  “With Farage, I hear commentators call him the Marmite politician… Either you love it or it revolts you.”
  — Jason Markusoff, 28:00

---

Segment Timestamps

• 02:23: Farage’s persona and populist style
• 03:25: Early UKIP and anti-EU activism
• 04:34: Post-Brexit career, Reform UK foundation
• 05:49–06:45: Electoral breakthroughs, local council victories
• 06:45: Shift from Brexit to immigration focus
• 09:25: Past and present scandals discussed
• 13:35: Labour party changes, Starmer out, Burnham in
• 15:01: Farage's immigration policies, deportation promises
• 16:44: Discussion of "Trumpy" politics in the UK
• 18:04: Details of gift/financial scandals
• 21:59: Farage’s by-election gambit and establishment’s response
• 23:25: The spectacle of joke/satirical candidates
• 24:52: Local feelings in Clacton
• 26:02: What’s next: investigations, approval ratings, polling
• 28:00: Appraisal of Farage’s long-term chances

---

Tone and Language

The discussion is frank, lightly satirical, and rich with British political color. Sam Blewett’s analysis combines skepticism, context, and an appreciation for both the farcical and dangerous sides of Farage’s latest moves. The tone balances amusement at the absurdities with real concern over populist trends and political disappointment.

---

Takeaway

Despite scandals and a sharp drop in approval ratings, Nigel Farage remains a forceful and divisive figure in British politics. His future as a potential Prime Minister remains uncertain, with ongoing investigations and a changing political landscape. Yet, his “Marmite” appeal endures, hinting that counting him out may be premature as the UK’s populist moment proves remarkably persistent.

Transcript

[Sam Blewett]

Booking a VRBO vacation rental means you get VRBoCare and 24. 7 life support, verified reviews from real guests and top rated homes with the Love by Guest filter. I just booked my vrbo because there was a sweet wine fridge. We all have our reasons. If you know you, VRBO terms apply. See vrbo.com trust for details.

[Jason Markusoff]

This is a CBC podcast. Hey, it's Jason Markusoff filling in for Jamie. For more than a decade, Nigel Farage has been one of the most influential people in British politics.

[Nigel Farage]

Dare to dream that the dawn is breaking on an independent United Kingdom. I mean, what's not to like? I know you're going to miss us. I know you want to ban our national flags, but we're going to wave you goodbye.

[Jason Markusoff]

And until recently, it seemed quite possible that his right wing populist party Reform UK could win the next election. Then a new Labour prime minister and a string of scandals threw a wrench in those plans.

[Sam Blewett]

Did Nigel Farage break parliamentary rules by

[Nigel Farage]

accepting a 5 million pound gift from

[Sam Blewett]

a Thailand based crypto billionaire and not declaring it? Three months of headlines around this 5 million pound gift later and for Nigel Farage's opponents, it continues to be the gift that keeps on giving.

[Jason Markusoff]

In the wake of that, Nigel Farage resigned from parliament and right away announced he would run again in the by election.

[Nigel Farage]

No, I've decided that the people of Clapton should be the judges of my actions. This will be a people versus the establishment.

[Jason Markusoff]

By election, Farage is almost guaranteed to win Thursday's vote. None of the other major parties are running candidates against him. And his main opponent is an independent who wears a garbage can on his head and goes by count bin face. But polls suggest his chances of ending up as the next British Prime Minister may be waning today. Did Nigel Farage miss his moment? Sam Blewett with Politico isn't so sure. He's here with me now to explain why, despite everything, it's hard to count Nigel Farage out. Hi, Sam, thanks for joining us.

[Sam Blewett]

Hi Jason. Good to be here.

[Jason Markusoff]

So I want to get into this by election and Nigel Farage's political future. But first, so for Canadians who may have not been following Nigel Farage's career too closely, how do you characterize his approach to politics?

[Sam Blewett]

Yeah, look, I mean, Nigel Farage, I think he comes across to most photos as a bit of an everyman. You know, he's the sort of pint swilling, cigarette smoking sort of man of the people.

[Nigel Farage]

Well, I'm now in the cherry tree in Little Oakley and It's a pint and it's a penny off because of the budget. And this is saving me a pound

[Sam Blewett]

a week lunching today.

[Nigel Farage]

I don't know whether we've got time, actually. We're probably just gonna have. But I might have a beer. You know,

[Sam Blewett]

there's a certain proportion of the public who just loves him. He feels that they speak his language and he really does. He cuts through much more than the more mainstream rivals. Particularly recently we had Keir Starmer seen as the archetypal wooden kind of politician. He's been swept away. Now we've got Andy Burnham, who's a bit more of a rival on the sort of plain speaking front. But Nigel Farage really has been the politician who's been sort of mastering that for the last decade or so.

[Jason Markusoff]

And we're talking about somebody who has had a very, very long career in politics. He was a founding member of the UK Independence Party, or UKIP, back in 1993 and later its leader.

[Nigel Farage]

What started as a murmur in the pubs and clubs and wherever people congregate in this country is now beginning to reach a crescendo roar. And what people are saying is getting. Get Britain out.

[Jason Markusoff]

He was a member of the European Parliament for 21 years.

[Nigel Farage]

You have the charisma of a damp rag and the appearance of a low grade bank clerk. And the question that I want to ask, the question that I want to ask, that we're all going to ask is, who are you? I'd never heard of you. Nobody in Europe had ever heard of you. I would like to ask you, President, who voted for you?

[Jason Markusoff]

And his goal during that whole time was for the UK to leave the European Union. He gets that wish with Brexit in 2016.

[Nigel Farage]

Let June 23 go down in our history as our Independence Day.

[Jason Markusoff]

And so, Sam, what becomes his political raison d' etre after that?

[Sam Blewett]

Yeah, actually, you know, that could have been a moment that he sort of slipped into a nice retirement. Right. You know, he.

[Nigel Farage]

Yeah, achieved his main aim during the referendum campaign. I said, I want my country back. And what I'm saying today is I want my life back. And it begins right now. Thank you.

[Sam Blewett]

And then actually came the pandemic and he started this Reform Party, which for a while it was a bit anti lockdown. It was a bit kind of a bit of a libertarian kind of front against some of the sort of draconian measures people were feeling. But, you know, as the pandemic swept away, it kind of kept that outsider status and built it quite A bit of headway, sort of like polling low digits for a while, but, you know, having its voice heard on the outside of politics. And then until the 2024 general election, the last one just gone. Nigel Farage decided to step back into the front of frontline politics and lead the party once more. And he really took politics by storm at that point.

[Nigel Farage]

Well, guess who's back, back again

[Sam Blewett]

now. You know, he only did so well in that general election. He himself actually got elected as an MP for the first time. Faraj, Nigel Paul Reform UK 21, 225. That was his eighth time of trying. So, you know, he, as popular as he is, he certainly does have his critics. Yeah. So him and about four or five others, they enter Parliament. From there on, he has gone from strength to strength. In the May local elections managed to take control of a whole swathe of English county councils and local councils. So that gave him a real foothold in politics. And just to look at the national polling, his Reform Party has way out polled the Labour Party for the last year or so, he's nudged for like establishment Conservative Party interfered. That's the other right wing party. And just, just until, actually until today, our polar polls for the first time have Labour in front by 1 percentage point. But really that's after about 18 months of reform being sky high. And yeah, number one in the race to be the next Prime Minister.

[Jason Markusoff]

So he started with Brexit being his big animating cause. It seems like since then immigration has taken the forefront of his political rhetoric. Is that fair to say?

[Sam Blewett]

Yeah, totally. But like these two things have always been very closely intertwined. Right. I think the successful message in the 2016 Brexit referendum was take back control. And that meant largely take back control of our borders. To be a member of the European Union, you accept freedom of movement. So, you know, people from across Europe could, could come live here. Now, a lot of people felt that that led to too high levels of immigration into, into Britain. So, yeah, I mean, I think front and center of Brexit was immigration.

[Nigel Farage]

Immigration is the number one issue in British politics. It has been for some years. The opinion polls are astonishing. 77% of the British public want cuts to the numbers coming into Britain and over half the voters want a reduction to near zero. The only way we get control is to vote to leave the European Union.

[Sam Blewett]

And I think, William, and you know, actually Brexit didn't deliver the low levels of migration that some people hoped it would. The pandemic was one main issue. Why we, you know, that led to a large scale sort of freezing of movement of people. Right. Well, the government at the time, under Boris Johnson, the Conservative, decided they needed to get people in quick and they really opened the doors to immigrants from across the world to come and prop up certain ailing sectors. And that caused a really big influx which has helped drive some of this, drive immigration back up the agenda. And same with the small boats crisis. So we've got hundreds of people coming across the Channel every day in dinghies. The number of migrants crossing the channel to the UK in small boats has risen by more than 40. Is putting increasing pressure on the government, which promised to smash the gangs organizing the dangerous journeys for a long time. I think that at least one area of discussion around it was a humanitarian one. I think there was a great deal of sympathy from subsections of the public towards these people, but I think over time, opinion has hardened and they feel, again, I think the general sense is a lack of control. So, yeah, that's really pushed this migration debate back up to the very top of the agenda, where it has been for quite some time.

[Jason Markusoff]

Farage isn't without his own controversies. I mean, I was reading this Guardian article with the headline, an almost comprehensive guide to Nigel Farage's many scandals. Got racism and corruption allegations over time, backroom deals. Other than Sam, the financial scandal he's currently involved with, are there any of those scandals or controversies that stand out to you to define him?

[Sam Blewett]

Look, there has been plenty of allegations over the past, but generally I think people have, or at least a certain swathe of the electorate have taken a look at those and thought, actually, he's still our guy. You know, he's had these high or very divisive personal polling levels. Right. Some. Some members of the public, he's their ride or die. They love him and I'll vote for him come May. I think what's more interesting is how they affect the sort of hovering middle that he would need to become prime minister.

[Jason Markusoff]

So, 2024, he finally wins a seat, Reform UK gets a foothold in Parliament, and then fast forward to May of last year. They're riding high national polls, reform is, and they win hundreds of local council seats, absolutely decimating Labour and the Conservatives. How unstoppable did Nigel Farage appear at that point?

[Sam Blewett]

Yeah, I think, you know, he really seemed like not the Prime Minister in waiting. That would be too much to say. There was still a long way to go and plenty of reasons for him to potentially trip up. But, yeah, he seemed like the favorite businesses started to court him and his party. They started to panic really, and think, actually if this guy really does get into government, well, we've done no outreach to him. We need to know how to contact him and his people in order to have a bit of influence. I think the media started treating him a bit more like, yeah, he could be the next Prime Minister. At least he's a really serious contender for it now. But yeah, I think, you know, there's always been reasons to suspect that it would be a much more difficult journey to number 10 than that.

[Jason Markusoff]

Was it the decline of labor and Conservative politics or people's faith in them that propelled him? Or was it Nigel Farage himself propelling himself upwards over those parties?

[Sam Blewett]

Yeah, I think both have worked in tandem. Right. We had the Conservatives in charge here for 14 years. There was a long period of austerity and they kept winning elections in part because the opposite position was all pretty unpopular. Labour finally won back Parliament. Keir Starmer becomes Prime Minister but turns out they just voted him in to get rid of the Conservatives. So yeah, on the back of that, that laid really ripe territory for Nigel Farage to come in and, and you know, use his very populist and popular rhetoric, whether it's about migration, it's almost in a bit of a sort of a drain the swamp kind of way of looking at Westminster where, where most power sits in this country. And yeah, it was fertile land for him to come in and capitalize on that.

[Zocdoc Advertiser]

This episode is sponsored by zocdoc. Have you been putting off a doctor's appointment or need a dentist and you don't know where to start? We've definitely been there and that's why we use ZocDoc. Actually over the holidays Michael had a dental emergency and seemingly every office was closed. But we hopped onto zocdoc, found an in network dentist, had great reviews, saw real time appointments available, which was key. It was on New Year's Day and booked an appointment in just minutes. It took so much of the stress out of the already stressful situation. Zocdoc makes it easy to search and compare over 250000 local in network providers across more than 200 specialties. So you can find the right doctor or dentist and book instantly. Taking care of your health just got easier. Download the ZocDoc app today and book that appointment on your to do list. That's Z O C D O C zocdoc.

[Sam Blewett]

Long shifts, full days post people keep

[Zocdoc Advertiser]

showing up post university offers flexible online nursing programs become a Post person, keep moving forward. Learn more at post Edu.

[Jason Markusoff]

So then he's at the peak of his powers, it seems, in May with these local council elections. And then in June, Starmer announces he's leaving as Prime Minister and former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham succeeds him.

[Nigel Farage]

We will make this moment a circuit breaker for Britain, bringing forward the biggest changes in the last 40 years. A new political model and a new economic model.

[Jason Markusoff]

That's the seventh PM for the UK since Brexit. How does all this play out for Farage?

[Sam Blewett]

Yeah, I think the second you see Keir Starmer announce his resignation, you can track Labour's polling, just start going upwards. Keir Starmer just couldn't connect with the voters. He was deeply unpopular. You know, his allies and those who are still fond of him can't entirely see why. I mean, they'd say he's not a particularly bad chap, to be honest, a pretty average guy who rose to the top of politics from a pretty humble background. But, you know, he just couldn't connect with voters and he couldn't read the room of the nation. As soon as he announces resignation, Labour's polling starts tracking up. And that's only continued going upwards as Andy Burnham has taken over. Though, let's just put it this way, I think, you know, there's every reason to think that Andy Burnham is going to have a really difficult ride ahead of him as well.

[Jason Markusoff]

But how do you see Farage adjusting to going up against Andy Burnham?

[Sam Blewett]

The last week or so, he has again returned to the topic of migration.

[Nigel Farage]

They tried offshore processing, they tried a number of things, and in the end what worked was towing the boats back to Indonesia and since then, hardly a boat has landed in Australia. I am entirely confident that under a reform government, within a fortnight there would be no more boats.

[Sam Blewett]

It's all sort of entwined with our very poor justice system at the moment. The prisons for a long time have been very close to breaking point. Labour government had to make the really difficult decision of letting prisoners out early just so that they could continue locking up new prisoners. I mean, things are really that. That dire. So Nigel Farage, he's quite cleverly tried to twin that problem with many voters fears about immigration. So he came out with a big pitch today, sorry, earlier this week, talking about deporting all foreign national offenders.

[Nigel Farage]

We send people back to their country of origin, so it needs a phone call with Eddie rama from Albania, etc. And if they refuse, we then send foreign national offenders off to third parties.

[Sam Blewett]

So he's come out with this very populist sort of quite hard right, appeal to voters over migration. And he'll keep doing it. I mean it's summer, so in summertimes when the weather is calmer, the winds aren't blowing quite as hard, that's when we see real numbers of small boats making unauthorized trips with asylum seekers and other migrants across the Channel. So yeah, I think he sees real fertile ground to sort of try and recapture the narrative both on migration and our sort of ailing state as well. And he will keep trying to ramp at home, I'm sure.

[Jason Markusoff]

So I know here in Canada, having policies that seem can be cast as Trumpy is like kryptonite for politicians is how does that sort of Trumpiness of what Farage does play to voters there?

[Sam Blewett]

It plays in two ways. So I think to those who are primed to like Farage, actually it's not such a bad thing because one thing that goes with Trumpiness I suppose is an ability to get things done, to ram things through no matter what the costs. And actually that can be quite a popular process for all of its the blowback that it can cause. But yeah, I think then to probably a larger swath of the public, they're quite turned off by his sort of Trump like attitude to things and also his relationship with Trump as well. You know, he's sort of part of this global network of nationalists who can get on incredibly well and can support each other and can come up against each other at times. But that those pictures of Farage in the Gold Lift with Trump after, I think it was, was Trump's first election, they do come back to haunt Farage quite somewhat, I think.

[Jason Markusoff]

Sam, we've alluded to it, but I do want to bring up those financial scandals, bring them in here. The Guardian first reported in April that Farage was given a 5 million pound gift by a Thai based crypto billionaire that he didn't disclose, potentially in breach of parliamentary rules. It's under investigation, I understand. Then the Sunday Times reveals that a convicted crypto gambler nicknamed Posh George has been financing Farage's lifestyle. What reason has Farage given for why he was given this money?

[Sam Blewett]

I think varying reasons actually. First it was security.

[Nigel Farage]

I've been the most attacked physically politician of modern times. This money is the only way I can look after myself and protect myself for the rest of my life.

[Sam Blewett]

The rules are clear though, aren't they?

[Nigel Farage]

The rules are very, very clear and believe you me, we've looked at this from every legal angle. There is no obligation to declare something that is an unconditional, non political personal gift.

[Sam Blewett]

Now that's quite an understandable explanation in a way, because politics here, like in many countries at the moment, is quite a perilous place to be. We have really sadly actually seen a frontline sort of retired Conservative and current Reform politician actually killed in her home recently, Devon and Cornwall Police said. Ms. Widdicombe was found at her home with serious injuries. Anne Widecombe was 78 and a major figure in the Conservative governments of the 1990s. She joined Reform UK in 2023, as has MPs been killed in recent years. So. So it is dangerous and that is one of the reasons he's given. But I' sure that entirely passes the sniff test. He's also given the reasons of it being a reward for Brexit, which, you know, a 5 million pound reward for sort of a moral crusade as he previously saw it, I don't think went down particularly well. He's also just tried to outright deflect questions, saying it's no, not anyone's business.

[Nigel Farage]

It's an unconditional gift. I can spend it on Ferraris if I want. That'd be entirely up to me. But I just. My listeners want to know, Mr. Frost, how much has been spent. Nick, I can deal with it as I want. I can do what I want with it. I can put it on the horses. Yes, you are under review.

[Sam Blewett]

So, yeah, he's pretty. He's been pretty tetchy about all of this. He really isn't enjoying the scrutiny.

[Nigel Farage]

Is it a mistake not to declare

[Sam Blewett]

the gifts from George Cottrell, sir?

[Nigel Farage]

You tell your bosses you harass my family anymore and I'll take you with serious consequences.

[Jason Markusoff]

He's been teflony before in with these scandals and controversies and deflecting them. Is this stuff sticking?

[Sam Blewett]

It feels like it's sticking somewhat of a moment. There's been a constant drumbeat of these allegations coming out and being expanded on every week. Something doesn't feel quite right to people. And even speaking to those people who do support him in his constituency of Clacton, and yeah, they are a bit skeptical about this and they're not particularly happy about it. I think the problem where it doesn't stick so well is actually people have particularly his voters have a very low opinion of politicians in general. They will typically tell you, well, they're all at it anyway, aren't they? Now, you know, they'll rehearse various arguments against previous labor and Conservative politicians, serving ones too. And they may be of different scales and gravity, some of these allegations. But it all kind of adds to a general stench around politics that certain voters feel. I think where it's more dangerous for Nigel Farage is the sort of extra 20% or 10% of the public, whatever it is he needs to actually become Prime Minister to I think that more that bunch who are more skeptical of him but might be minded to support him for a bit of a change, they're the ones that is really risky.

[Jason Markusoff]

So he's chosen to ride out this scandal in a novel way perhaps. Farage announces he's resigning his seat today.

[Nigel Farage]

I will resign as a member of Parliament for Clacton on Sea, thereby forcing a bylaw which should happen I hope

[Jason Markusoff]

in short order and then that he's going to run in a by election to win that seat. Right back. He said he wanted to silence his critics, face off against the establishment.

[Nigel Farage]

It's a chance to stick two fingers up to the entire establishment to frankly tell them where to go.

[Jason Markusoff]

But Sam, how did the so called establishment respond to this?

[Sam Blewett]

Yeah, they decided to not turn up to his gambit. Essentially all of the rival mainstream parties took one look at this and thought his grounds for the election weren't really legitimate. I mean also they'd look at it and say he's bound to win here anyway, almost certainly. So they didn't really fancy fighting that contest on his grounds. Grounds that they would say are phony and that he should actually just face the scrutiny that being in Parliament affords him.

[Jason Markusoff]

And so without any of the establishment parties running candidates, this by election has really seemed to take a life of its own, particularly with the candidates who did choose to run against him. And most notably, there's his main opponent. My name's Count Benface, intergalactic space warrior, leader of the recyclons from planet Sigma

[Sam Blewett]

9 and part time democratic politician on Earth. Yeah, my name's Calvin Base and I've entered the race.

[Jason Markusoff]

The galactic umpire Farage is a famously colorful figure, Sam, but can you paint us a picture of Count Benface in this by election?

[Sam Blewett]

Yeah, it's pretty farcical really, isn't it? He, Count Bin Face really has emerged as the main rival. Look, Britain has like a long history of satirical candidates and joke candidates. Entry to run in any kind of election is pretty low. You just pay a 500 pound deposit and you know, for at least these candidates, it's not the biggest amount of money to lose for a bit of fun and publicity. So Bin Face is someone who runs in many, many Elections. If you look at Andy Burnham's by Election up in Makerfield, actually look at the stage that day. Andy Burnham is on the stage. To one side of him is Count Bin face, to the other side of him is a man dressed as a fox. Now that is quite common fodder for high profile elections and this one has followed it, but actually this one has gone far further. If this, this election has the most candidates ever to run in one seat. When, when voters go to the ballot box on Thursday, they're going to be handed a polling paper which is nearly a meter long and they're going to have to. Nigel Farage supporters are going to have to scan through all of that in order to pick out his name, look past these joke candidates, these strange outside figures, in order to find the only likely person who can become mp. So, yeah, I think for good reason. A lot of voters around here do reckon it's descended into quite a farce.

[Jason Markusoff]

It's always quite the scene. We don't have this in Canada, in Britain and I love watching Election day because it's not in Canada. You don't have every single candidate in that election all up on the same stage. And I do wonder how that might transform politics in Canada, these little by elections, if that happened. But you're talking to us from Clacton right now. How do voters feel about this whole by election?

[Sam Blewett]

Yeah, I think, speaking I've been observing some focus groups and the general message I'm picking up on, particularly even from reform voters and people who are minded to vote. Nigel Farage again, is that actually this seaside town has been made to look a bit of a laughing stock in their words about this. You know, see Bin face on the telly. Every time Clacton by election is mentioned on national telly, broadcasting rules mean they have to read out all 34 candidates. Clacton has now seen him a bit of a joke light and people are really feeling that and I don't think they appreciate it. Even some of his supporters are holding him a bit responsible for this. They'll still vote for him, most of them, but. But you do wonder whether it's been sowing the seeds of some dissatisfaction for the future.

[Jason Markusoff]

All that said, it's not at all expected that he's going to lose this by election. So Farage will win likely on Thursday, be heading back to Westminster. What happens after that?

[Sam Blewett]

Yeah, the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner investigation will resume into him. The scrutiny from newspapers and journalists will continue. He will continue to go on a bit of a war path against his critics and the media. But what it boils down to, I think is whether the stench of this sticks with him and what the parliamentary Standards Commissioner comes back with. It's quite possible that the Standards Commissioner finds he has committed some kind of wrong by not disclosing these large scale donations. And potentially there's more to come that we don't know about yet and he has to face another by election with even more of this behind him. I think that's one worry. He may well win that one again, but I think it's the bigger worry is how this affects him nationally, whether this starts to dent his national polling and reduce his chances of becoming the next Prime Minister just as Labour starts to resurge somewhat.

[Jason Markusoff]

Yeah, that's right. Labor is on the upswings and meanwhile Farage himself is reaching seems like new lows or recent lows in approval ratings. A recent Ipsos poll says 61% of Brits are dissatisfied with him versus only 23% satisfied. And that lead, like you say, is gone. So after coming so close to the top of things, do you think Nigel Farage's moment has passed him by?

[Sam Blewett]

I think it's far too early to say that. I mean, he's a very wily operator with sure a smaller approval rating at the moment, but still a pretty big die hard swathe of a public who will back him come what may. So no, I think he's got a long way to go if he really wants to and I think there's every indication of that at the moment. So yeah, I expect him to keep on swinging and yeah, taking it to the government.

[Jason Markusoff]

Yeah, I guess three years is a long, long way before an election so much can happen. But you know, with Farage, I hear commentators call him the Marmite politician, you know, named after that salty yeast spread in a jar. Either you love it or it revolts you. And that's how people compare a Farage. Can you see someone that polarizing still one day becoming Prime Minister? Sam?

[Sam Blewett]

Yeah, you're right, it is hard to see that. But such are the levels of dissatisfaction in the status quo here in Britain. It's not impossible. I don't think it's as reckless as people voting. You know, someone come what may, despite their flaws, but they're looking at the alternatives and they see the Conservatives who they think failed them for some time and created the problem we're in. They look at Labour and at the moment are saying, I don't think they've done enough to turn this around. Then there's the whole global backdrop of terrible economic times battering us as a country. And you know what? They might just roll the dice and think Farage might just be the sort of the medicine that we need to fix this country. But, yeah, you're right, I think. Yeah. Someone that divisive, it is still hard to see.

[Jason Markusoff]

Sam, thanks so much. We'll talk to you again.

[Sam Blewett]

Okay, Legend, thank you so much for that.

[Jason Markusoff]

That's all for today. I'm Jason Markusoff. Thanks for listening to frontburner.

[Sam Blewett]

For more cbc podcasts, go to cbc ca podcasts.