Reform leader Farage misses budget over Commons seat dispute

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was absent from the House of Commons during the Chancellor's first budget presentation because he feared a physical confrontation with another member of parliament.

Farage cited a dispute over seating arrangements as the primary reason for his absence. He stated that a green paper slip, used to reserve his seat, had been removed. This prompted his decision to give parliament a "wide berth" to avoid conflict.

The leader referenced a previous incident to justify his caution. He recalled a "physical altercation" with an MP during the state opening of parliament. Although he did not make a fuss at the time, he said the removal of his prayer card signaled a repeat of that situation. He also noted that he used the time to review the budget line by line with his office economists.

A House of Commons spokesperson later clarified the administrative reason for the removal. The spokesperson explained that the prayer card did not display a valid date stamp. Consequently, chamber protocol required its removal.

Farage addressed the budget via a joint press conference with Robert Jenrick, the party's Treasury spokesperson. He described himself as "shocked" by the £10 billion allocated to support Ukraine. He expressed concern that the funds might be swallowed up by corruption or used to enrich Ukrainian officials. He also stated that he was more worried about Vladimir Putin's "rationality" than at any prior point in the conflict.

The leader defended his party's policy on cryptocurrency taxation. He maintained that Reform would still cut capital gains tax on crypto to a 10% rate. He argued this measure would incentivize investors to enter a new regulated industry rather than trading offshore. He denied that the policy would primarily benefit his party's large donors.

Farage also criticized the increased machine-games duty on gambling shops. He predicted the tax would harm the horse-racing industry and drive gambling activity offshore or into crypto markets. He suggested that small tax giveaways in the budget indicated a general election was likely by May 2027. Reform, he added, would be ready for an election as early as December.

In response to questions about Tommy Robinson's conviction for harassing journalists, Farage said Robinson's behavior had been "very wrong." However, he maintained that party members would not be penalized for admiring Robinson. He argued that liking a social media message does not make a supporter a "full-blown marcher" for the cause.