Nigel Farage's Reform UK: A Rising Force in British Politics

Nigel Farage, the driving force behind Brexit, won a parliamentary seat in Clacton, representing Reform UK. His victory signifies the rise of a new political force shaking up British politics and challenging the Conservative Party from the right. Reform UK aims to address immigration and illegal migrant issues.

Nigel Farage was elected to parliament on Friday, marking the emergence of his populist Reform UK as a new force in British politics, squeezing the Conservative vote from the right wing.

Farage, a driving force behind Britain's decision to leave the European Union, only entered the race last month, shocking a Conservative Party already trailing behind the centre-left Labour. Winning Clacton in Essex, an area with a high Leave vote in the Brexit referendum, Farage secured 46% of the vote, triumphing over Conservative candidates.

"There is a massive gap on the centre right of British politics and my job is to fill it, and that's exactly what I'm going to do," stated Farage after his victory, hinting at his future ambitions, "Believe me folks, this is just the first step of something that is going to stun all of you."

Despite failing in seven previous attempts to enter Westminster, Farage's success in Clacton was mirrored by other Reform candidates in Ashfield, Great Yarmouth, and Boston and Skegness, where traditional Conservative strongholds were upended. An exit poll forecasted Reform UK could win 13 seats, as the party gathered over 4 million votes nationally.

Founded as the Brexit Party in 2018 and renamed in 2022, Reform UK has never before won a seat in an election. However, early results showed strong performances even in Labour-dominated areas, pushing Rishi Sunak's Conservatives into third place in many. By focusing on immigration, pushing back against illegal migrants arriving from France, and highlighting Conservative failures, Reform UK is poised to reshape the political landscape.

(With inputs from agencies.)