Isle of Wight Reform UK candidates for the 2024 General Election have been reacting to the news that Nigel Farage has returned as party leader.

He succeeds Richard Tice, who has been a regular visitor to the Isle of Wight, including at a barbecue during a Covid-19 lockdown.

Isle of Wight County Press: Leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage launches his General Election campaign in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex (PA)Leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage launches his General Election campaign in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex (PA) (Image: PA)

This week, Nigel Farage, in a launch in Essex, said he would be a 'bloody nuisance' in Westminster if he succeeds in becoming an MP at his eighth attempt.

In a U-turn on Monday, Mr Farage announced his plan to stand after all.

In a joint statement, Isle of Wight East Reform UK candidate, Sarah Morris and Isle of Wight West's Ian Pickering said they had been 'overwhelmed by the positive messages and support' since the news broke.

They said: "Nigel has a lot to give and we are ready to follow him on the path to claiming back our country.

"We need services that work, more money in our pockets and trust that our children will be taught to think and not just what to think at school.

"We need people in Westminster who know how we feel because they truly listen."

According to a report by PA news agency, a YouGov poll suggested 58 per cent of Britons do not want to see Mr Farage enter Parliament, with 46 per cent of those saying they did not want him as an MP 'at all' and 12 per cent choosing “not very much.”

Of the respondents who said they voted Conservative in the 2019 election, 51 per cent want to see the Reform UK leader in the House of Commons, while 36 per cent do not.

  • In Isle of Wight West, parliamentary candidates standing are Green Party's Cameron Palin; Ian Pickering, Reform UK candidate; Richard Quigley, of Island Labour; Conservative Bob Seely; and Liberal Democrat's Nick Stuart.
  • For Isle of Wight East, Emily Brothers is standing for Labour; Michael Lilley for the Lib Dems; Vix Lowthion for the Green Party; Sarah Morris for Reform UK; and Joe Robertson for the Conservatives