Abernathy wrote: ↑Mon Jun 08, 2026 11:02 am
We might have talked about this on other threads, but a not-totally-incredible sort- of verging -on-a mental-conspiracy-theory is this :
- Farage has ensured that Reform has put up a total duffer with a dodgy social media history as Reform's candidate in Makerfield.
- Why? because he wants to make sure that Andy Burnham wins and gets back into parliament.
- Again, why? Because he knows that Burnham will try to displace Keir Starmer as Labour leader and Prime Minister - and may well succeed in doing so.
- Farage then has a serious opportunity to demand, and campaign for, an early general election - because Burnham does not have a personal mandate. Farage fancies his chances of winning the election and moving into number ten.
Yes, it's a bit machiavellian, and probably credits frog-face with more political strategic nous than he actually has. But it's plausible - more so when you take even a cursory look at Robert Kenyon.
I've heard that theory elsewhere and there is logic to it.
I think it's probable that Farage's best chance is an early election, whether he'd get one depends on what policies PM Burnham would implement.
If Burnham simply follows Starmer's manifesto, he can legitimately serve out the term, however if he were to divert from that manifesto it's true he'd have no mandate and Farage (and others) would have a good democratic case to demand an early election.
Is that Farage's game? Is Reform candidate selection Machiavellian or incompetence? Or maybe these pisspoor candidates really are the best available?
Dunno, it could be any of the above, what does the panel think?