I agree he’s “consequential” , he was first in Iain Dale’s list of the most influential people on the Right back in the day. Ahead of David Cameron who was then Prime Minister! But over Farage’s political career it’s impossible to find one thoroughly worked through policy proposal of any significance. His appeal has always been to the gut not the intellect.
Farage is a Conservative Nationalist who puts the nation state (Britain) ahead of the reality that the modern world is increasingly interdependent. That positioning has a marketable faux-patriotic appeal. And there is plenty of brand symbolism around. 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🏴 🏴 .
Whilst the trends around the world, especially in Europe, have been towards transnational cooperation Farage has soapboxed independence, always with an appeal to the spurious “benefits” of sovereignty. This translates into a covert (sometimes more overt) xenophobia.
The EU Referendum outcome showed that the (then) UKIP position can have popular appeal and the subsequent rise of Reform under Farage has confirmed this. Populism doesn’t need or get policy depth, it survives and prospers with slogans. Farage drove established Parties to do the same . Remember the decidedly cerebral Rishi Sunak stood at a podium with “Stop the Boats” on the lectern!
History teaches us to beware the demagogue. In truth that is what Farage is (though there is a hilarious hint of Roderick Spode about him as well). The jury is out.
Paddy’s Blogs in a crazy world 