Peter Cardwell

Peter Cardwell is a presenter on the Talk radio and TV network and a former Conservative special adviser

Nigel Farage’s bold move to resign and stand in a by-election has provided much opportunity for mirth, sneering and scoffing for liberals. Reform UK is a blip, some say; Farage is a showman not to be taken seriously – a comedy figure with some questionable associates who has rightly met his electoral match against a bin. Look at Makerfield: the seat Andy Burnham took by a mile, and proved a few council victories for Reform weren’t a consistent trend.

Having led the polls for months, Farage’s party has slipped to third in the most recent MRP poll, published this week. This will suit the narrative of some of the Westminster liberal elite who think anytime now our politics will “calm down”, the country will soon “come to its senses” and get back to politics as “normal”.

Don’t hold your breath.