Nigel Farage has resigned as leader of UKIP, claiming “it’s been a huge chunk of my life doing this”. But there’s one very big catch – he’ll be keeping his massive EU salary.
Speaking in London, Farage further stated:
During the referendum campaign I said I want my country back. What I’m saying today is I want my life back. And it begins right now.
Having won the referendum on the basis of a disingenuous, disgusting campaign, Farage is taking the Boris Johnson way out – leaving someone else to pick up the pieces of the mess he has created. Having campaigned for the referendum, and the “out” vote for so many years, it would have been nice if he’d had the courage to see through the decision he’s been so passionate about.
Furthermore, according to Norman Smith, Assistant Political Editor at BBC News, Farage will keep his MEP job for the next two years. He tweeted:
Nigel Farage will remain an MEP for next two years
— norman smith (@Thehackandhound) July 4, 2016
Therefore, it’s understandable that Farage wants his “life back”. It’s a very easy life.
As an MEP, he receives €7957 a month. He is paid in Euros, which given the collapse of the pound (which he has helped to orchestrate with the Brexit vote), means he is one of the few people to have seen a salary rise post-Brexit. Presently Farage’s salary is worth £6665.19 a month compared to the £6246 earned by MPs.
Given Farage has been absent, or refused to vote, on the majority of debates at the European Parliament, it seems the decent thing would be for him to resign his position. Instead, he is proving to be the very essence of everything he claims to hate about Europe – a lazy, worthless bureaucrat, sponging money out of the institution he claims to despise.
News of his resignation was met with scorn, including the following tweet from Douglas Carswell, UKIP’s only MP:
https://twitter.com/DouglasCarswell/status/749892870606381056
Others questioned whether he really meant his resignation this time:
https://twitter.com/davidschneider/status/749897977670557696
His motivations for resigning were also called into question:
https://twitter.com/stavvers/status/749911682189824000
Given his past record, it is unlikely Farage has gone for good from UK politics – sadly. However, if he has, his legacy will be that of unleashing a despicable brand of populist racism across the country. He may feel like he has got his country back – but many of us are left feeling like he has plunged us into an alien world of intolerance and hate.
Featured image via Flickr
