Is this healthy democracy at work? The UK's next leader is walking into a very tough job. Some think the real winner will be one of UK politics' most famous faces.
The man who could be shadow PM in 10 days
Is this healthy democracy at work? The UK's next leader is walking into a very tough job. Some think the real winner will be one of UK politics' most famous faces.
In 1993, Nigel Farage joined up with a group of others to set up a new party - one that would argue against Britain former closer ties with the EUEuropean Union. An economic and political union of 27 countries. . It was called the UK Independence PartyA Eurosceptic, right-wing populist party in the United Kingdom, founded in 1993. Its most prominent figure was Nigel Farage, who has since left for the Reform Party. .
Thirty years later, Farage is one of the country's best-known politicians, even though he has stood to become an MPMember of Parliament. There are 650 MPs representing people in different areas of the UK. seven times and always lost.
It could be eighth time lucky. Farage, who is now the head of Reform UKA right-wing populist party in the UK. It has support from Nigel Farage and used to be called the Brexit Party., may be voted in as an MP in the UK general electionIn the UK, when an election is held for all 650 members of the House of Commons. One must take place every five years. next week. And some think that in five years time, he could be prime ministerA prime minister is the head of government in a country with a parliamentary system. .
The story goes something like this. LabourBritain's main left-of-centre political party. gets a big win on 4 July. However, it struggles to sort out the country's problems.
The ConservativesA traditionally right-wing or centre right political party in the UK. Members are sometimes called Tories. , now much smaller, join together with Reform UK to form one party. Nigel Farage is the leader.
At the next election, in 2029, Farage would face off with Keir StarmerThe leader of the UK Labour Party since 2020 and British prime minister since July 2024.. Voters are angry with Labour as life fails to get better, and so they vote in Nigel Farage as the next prime ministerA prime minister is the head of government in a country with a parliamentary system. .
So what, some ask? We live in a democracyA system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.. If the people want Farage then they should get him.
But others are more worried. They point out that his party does not believe in climate changeLong-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change. science and that he has shared fake images. They ague that Farage's rise would actually be a sign that democracy is sick.
Is this healthy democracy at work?
Yes! In a democracy, people must be free to vote for whomever they like. If the people want Nigel Farage, then in a healthy democracy he will become prime minister.
No! Some fear Farage's party could eat a way at Britain's rules of democracy. The fact that he may seriously win power is not a good sign.
Keywords
EU - European Union. An economic and political union of 27 countries.
UK Independence Party - A Eurosceptic, right-wing populist party in the United Kingdom, founded in 1993. Its most prominent figure was Nigel Farage, who has since left for the Reform Party.
MP - Member of Parliament. There are 650 MPs representing people in different areas of the UK.
Reform UK - A right-wing populist party in the UK. It has support from Nigel Farage and used to be called the Brexit Party.
General election - In the UK, when an election is held for all 650 members of the House of Commons. One must take place every five years.
Prime minister - A prime minister is the head of government in a country with a parliamentary system.
Labour - Britain's main left-of-centre political party.
Conservatives - A traditionally right-wing or centre right political party in the UK. Members are sometimes called Tories.
Keir Starmer - The leader of the UK Labour Party since 2020 and British prime minister since July 2024.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.
Climate change - Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change.
The man who could be shadow PM in 10 days
Glossary
EU - European Union. An economic and political union of 27 countries.
UK Independence Party - A Eurosceptic, right-wing populist party in the United Kingdom, founded in 1993. Its most prominent figure was Nigel Farage, who has since left for the Reform Party.
MP - Member of Parliament. There are 650 MPs representing people in different areas of the UK.
Reform UK - A right-wing populist party in the UK. It has support from Nigel Farage and used to be called the Brexit Party.
General election - In the UK, when an election is held for all 650 members of the House of Commons. One must take place every five years.
Prime minister - A prime minister is the head of government in a country with a parliamentary system.
Labour - Britain's main left-of-centre political party.
Conservatives - A traditionally right-wing or centre right political party in the UK. Members are sometimes called Tories.
Keir Starmer - The leader of the UK Labour Party since 2020 and British prime minister since July 2024.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.
Climate change - Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change.