The former UKIP leader Nigel Farage called for a ‘democratic revolution’ in British politics as he launched his new Brexit Party.
He told an audience in Coventry today that if the UK took part in May’s European elections, they would be his new party’s first challenge.
But he said the party’s primary aim was to ‘change politics’ and added: “I said that if I did come back into the political fray it would be no more Mr Nice Guy and I mean it.”
Farage’s move came after Prime Minister Theresa May agreed with the EU to delay Brexit until October 31 at the latest.
The UK could leave earlier, but only if May’s withdrawal agreement is approved by Parliament – it has already rejected it three times.
This delay means the UK will be forced to contest the European elections on May 23.
Farage said the Brexit Party had 70 candidates lined up to stand in the Euro elections, including Annunziata Rees-Mogg, sister of Tory Brexiter Jacob.
The party has received £750,000 in online donations over 10 days, he claimed, made up of small contributions of up to £500.
He added: “This party is not here just to fight the European elections. May 23 is the first step of the Brexit Party. We will change politics for good.”
Before the Coventry rally, Farage told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “In terms of policy, there’s no difference to UKIP, but in terms of personnel there’s a vast difference.
“UKIP struggled to get enough good people, but unfortunately what it’s chosen to do is allow the far right to join and take it over. I’m afraid the brand is now tarnished.”
He said the Brexit Party would represent a cross-section of society and be ‘deeply intolerant of all intolerance.’
UKIP said the Brexit Party was a vehicle for Farage – its leader Gerard Batten tweeted that the suggestion there was no policy difference between the parties was ‘a lie.’
