Nigel Farage has said he is prepared to step down as leader of Reform UK in the future, but only if someone better suited to the job comes along. Speaking during a wide-ranging interview on the Daily Expresso podcast from his constituency in Clacton-on-Sea, Farage explained that he still believes he is currently the best person to lead the party and give it the strongest chance of winning a General Election.
Farage said he returned to frontline politics ahead of the July 2024 General Election because he believed the country needed major political change. He argued that Britain is facing serious challenges and warned that without bold reforms, the country could be in a much worse position within the next decade. According to him, Reform UK offers a different direction, and he believes he is the right person to lead that movement at this stage.
He told the podcast that he still believes he is the strongest candidate available to take Reform UK into government and begin making what he described as the radical changes the country needs. However, he also made it clear that he would not try to stay in charge simply for personal reasons.
Farage said that if someone eventually emerges who is more talented, more capable and has a stronger connection with the British public than he does, he would recognise that and willingly step aside. He insisted that leadership should always be about choosing the person best able to win elections and govern effectively, rather than holding onto power for personal ambition.
When asked by presenter Mark Dolan whether his comments suggested he might only want to serve one term as Prime Minister if Reform UK eventually formed a government, Farage rejected that suggestion. He said he was simply being realistic about politics and stressed that he does not see himself as someone driven by ego.
Farage also used the interview to distance himself from politicians whom critics have accused of seeking high office mainly because of personal ambition. Without attacking them directly, he referred to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and current Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, saying his own motivation for being in politics is to make a difference rather than simply to hold power.
He explained that his focus has always been on achieving political change and that if someone else could deliver those goals more effectively than he could, he would have no problem acknowledging it. Even so, he added that, at the moment, he has not seen anyone he believes is better suited to lead Reform UK.
Reform UK was created in January 2021 after the Brexit Party changed its name and broadened its political agenda. Although the party had already been active for several years, Farage officially became its leader again in June 2024, replacing Richard Tice, who now serves as the party’s deputy leader.
Since returning to the leadership, Farage has worked to strengthen Reform UK’s position in British politics, with the party aiming to attract voters who are dissatisfied with both Labour and the Conservatives. Recent opinion polls and local election results have suggested growing support for Reform UK, making Farage one of the most closely watched figures in British politics.
His latest comments offer a rare insight into how he views his own leadership. While he remains confident that he is currently the best person to lead the party, he insists that he is open to handing over the role if someone more capable eventually emerges. For now, however, Farage says he believes he remains the right person to lead Reform UK as it seeks to become a serious contender for government.
