'I'll kick racists out of Reform...then we'll be going after Labour votes'

JUBILANT MP Nigel Farage raised a glass to victory yesterday and insisted most racism in British politics is "in the Labour Party".

- Michael Knowles and Katie Harris

The Reform leader said he will introduce tough new vetting procedures to ensure racist, homophobic or misogynistic candidates cannot stand for his party, adding that Labour had failed to tackle racism within their own ranks.

After his seven failed attempts at Parliament, Mr Farage was one of five Reform candidates to celebrate.

The others were former Tory Lee Anderson in Ashfield, Rupert Lowe in Great Yarmouth, and former leader Richard Tice in Boston and Skegness. After a recount, James McMurdock won in South Basildon and East Thurrock.

The party came second in an astonishing 98 seats, taking 14 per cent of the votes cast. Asked if he was disappointed Reform did not have more wins, Mr Farage told the Daily Express: "About five or six days ago we had big momentum with us.

"Obviously things did drag that down towards the end. But you know what, today's not a reflection on 'what if'. Today is the affirmation that the goals we set out to achieve which were very, very clear millions of votes and a bridgehead in Parliament. That has been achieved."

Former US President Donald Trump his congratulations, saying: "Nigel is a man who truly loves his country." But not everybody was happy. A Reform press conference was thrown into disarray yesterday when seven hecklers disrupted proceedings.

The Brexit champion taunted them shouting "boring, boring, boring" as they were dragged out.

Reform's focus, he added, would now be on going "after Labour votes".

The new MP for Clacton said: "Old Labour was very, very patriotic. It believed in the country. It believed in its people. New Labour far less so.