Nigel Farage faced criticism for a staged action during Prime Minister’s Questions. The leader of Reform UK opted to sit in the spectators’ gallery in the House of Commons rather than on the MPs’ benches in the chamber. Farage complained about not being selected to speak during the session, overlooking the random selection process for MPs’ questions in PMQs.
Members of Parliament mocked the right-wing politician for his attention-seeking move, highlighting his frequent absences from parliamentary sessions to travel to the US. This move suggested that representing his constituents in the chamber was not his top priority.
During the subsequent PMQs session, Keir Starmer strongly criticized Farage for disparaging Britain while absent from the session. Starmer emphasized that Farage had a duty to represent his constituents in the House rather than criticizing the country abroad.
In response, Farage defended his actions, stating that he is often targeted during PMQs without the chance to respond. He claimed to be just a spectator and decided to observe from the public gallery that day.
Trade minister Sir Chris Bryant remarked that Farage preferred to criticize others rather than take responsibility for his own policies. Labour representatives accused Farage and his Reform MPs of attending Parliament mainly for social media exposure, urging Farage to consider the potential harm his policies could cause.
Another Labour MP questioned Farage’s understanding of PMQs procedures due to his frequent absence, suggesting he should participate like other backbenchers. A Liberal Democrat spokesperson criticized Farage for his habit of looking down on others.
Farage recently expressed frustration about not being able to speak during PMQs, stating that his presence seemed pointless if he could not respond. PMQs involve a random selection process to determine which MPs will ask questions, with additional questions allocated to the Leader of the official Opposition and the leader of the third largest party.
Overall, Farage’s choice to sit in the spectators’ gallery during PMQs drew criticism from various political figures, highlighting concerns about his commitment to parliamentary duties.