Nigel Farage Skips Budget Amid Seating Dispute and Altercation Claims
Nigel Farage skipped Chancellor John Healey's first budget to avoid a potential physical altercation after his seat reservation card was removed from the House of Commons.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage skipped Chancellor John Healey's first budget statement in the House of Commons on October 28, claiming he did so to avoid a physical altercation. Farage stated that the removal of his seat reservation prayer card signaled a potential conflict, recalling a physical clash he experienced during the State Opening of Parliament in May. A House of Commons spokesperson disputed this, stating the card lacked a valid date stamp and was removed according to standard protocol.
Following the budget, Farage criticized the £10bn aid package for Ukraine and gambling shop taxes, while proposing a 10% tax rate on cryptocurrency gains. Meanwhile, Chancellor John Healey faced criticism from Kemi Badenoch, who described the fiscal plan as "not good enough, not strong enough, not bold enough" regarding defense spending and the welfare bill.
The incident reignited a dispute over the May altercation. Farage claimed he was involved in a physical clash with an MP, a claim Robert Jenrick supported by suggesting a Liberal Democrat MP had obstructed Farage. However, Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper alleged that Farage physically shoved a female MP, while MP Caroline Voaden stated she is still waiting for an apology Farage was required to write. Reform UK denied these allegations, characterizing the Liberal Democrats as aggressive and dishonest.
