Nigel Farage avoids Commons Budget speech amid concerns of conflict
Nigel Farage chose not to attend John Healey’s Budget speech in the Commons to prevent a possible “physical altercation”, reports BritPanorama.
According to Farage, his prayer card—used by MPs to reserve seats in the chamber—had been removed on Wednesday. He noted that he had previously encountered confrontation with a fellow MP during the state opening of Parliament on 13 May.
In a press conference following the address, he elaborated on his absence as the Chancellor delivered his speech.
“At the state opening of Parliament, I got involved… I didn’t want to… but I got involved in a physical altercation with an MP in the chamber,” Farage stated.
“I didn’t make a fuss about it, I didn’t complain, but I could see given that my prayer card had been removed, I was heading towards another physical altercation. Just sometimes it’s better to avoid conflict. That’s one reason.
“Second reason is actually I sat going through the Budget with our team of economists in the office, so I actually had the time to go through it line by line,” he added.
Farage indicated his initial intention to attend Prime Minister’s Questions, but opted to avoid potential conflict. “It’s pathetic,” he remarked, comparing the situation to “being at school.”
During the Wednesday afternoon briefing, Farage and party Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick expressed strong criticisms of the financial plans. Mr Jenrick described the Budget as a “do-nothing Budget” and a “nothingburger,” asserting that it failed to respond adequately to the ongoing crises facing the country.
“Britain is broke and British people feel broken right now, and this is the best the Chancellor could deliver,” he stated.
On a proposed £100 payment aimed at assisting households with energy costs, Jenrick remarked, “£100 once is not an answer to this problem.”
Farage characterised the Budget statement as “a retail Budget aimed at an early general election,” contending that while it attempted to appeal to a large number of individuals, it lacked substantial impact.
Despite acknowledging Healey’s delivery as “assured” and “competent,” he warned of hidden consequences behind individual measures, suggesting a “deeply cynical agenda aimed at a general election” that would ultimately lead to widespread financial hardship for the populace under Labour governance.
Farage expressed concern regarding the extent of additional support allocated for Ukraine, stating, “I don’t mind a reasonable sum of money being spent on defence of Ukraine.” He added, “I’m more worried about Putin now than I’ve been at any point since the war started, worried about his rationality. But I really am concerned as to whether the money is going to get used properly and spent well.”
