Nigel Farage has declared he will “not be a punching bag for the leaders of other parties” as he doubled down on his decision to boycott Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs).
Speaking to GB News, the Reform UK leader said he has been given “no chance to respond” to frequent PMQs jibes from Sir Keir Starmer and others.
During Wednesday’s session, the leader of Reform chose to witness PMQs from the public gallery and said he will “continue to do so” until he is called to stand.
Outlining his decision, Mr. Farage told GB News: “This Parliament is the most unrepresentative of where politics in the country is today, and the arguments are today in the history of Parliament.
“So I have to sit through PMQs every week, I’ve got Ed Davey having a go at the member for Clacton, the Prime Minister accusing me of God knows what, and very often, four or five mentions.
“And it doesn’t matter what we do, Richard Tice bobs up and down to try and speak, I’ve tried bobbing up and down, we don’t get called.”
He stated: “I’m not going to sit there and have criticism coming from the PM and everybody else, and not have a chance to respond. I’m treated like I’m a spectator, so in future I’ll view it from the spectator’s gallery.”
Weighing in on Mr. Farage’s decision to protest, GB News Senior Political Commentator Nigel Nelson argued that it is his “duty” as party leader to remain in the Chamber.
Nigel explained: “I take your point, however, I do think Nigel, as a party leader, part of that duty should be to be in the Chamber of the House of Commons, not sitting up in the gallery. If the Speaker were to call you, he couldn’t call you from up in the gallery.”
Mr. Farage interjected, stating: “He could, actually. The last time it happened was 1953.”
As Nigel continued to argue that the Chamber is the “right place” for Mr. Farage to be, the Reform leader hit back: “I’m not going to be a punch bag for the leaders of the other parties with no chance to respond. Period. I’m on strike from PMQs in the Chamber.”
Offering his verdict on the protest, GB News presenter Christopher Hope argued that even if he asked the Speaker to “call him more often,” he may receive “complaints from the Greens, the Lib Dems and the Independents.”
Mr. Farage told Christopher: “That they are not attacked. The point about parliamentary debate is people can say what they like, but you must get the chance to respond. I can make a point of order at the end, but that’s not the same thing, and they are not attacked by the Prime Minister every single week.”
