Farage Downplays Impact of ECHR Removal on Good Friday Agreement, Predicts Imminent Election
BIRMINGHAM, UK – Reform UK leader Nigel Farage today stated he sees no significant obstacle to renegotiating the Good Friday Agreement should his party take power and follow through on its pledge to withdraw the UK from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Speaking at his party’s conference, Farage asserted the ECHR reference was a late addition to the agreement and not central to its foundation.
“The peace agreement wasn’t dependent on the ECHR, I don’t see a problem with that,” Farage said, adding that a Reform UK government would be positive for UK-Ireland relations despite differing views on the European Union.
The comments come as the UK political landscape appears increasingly unstable following the resignation of Labor’s Angela Rayner from her position as deputy prime minister. Farage told conference attendees he believes a general election coudl be held within two years, citing challenges to the current government from the Green Party and a new party led by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana.
Reform UK has made reducing immigration a central tenet of its platform, announcing last month plans to exit the ECHR. A Downing Street spokesperson previously cautioned that such a move would necessitate a renegotiation of the Good Friday Agreement.Farage reiterated ambitious policy goals during his speech, including the deportation of 600,000 asylum seekers during its first term and a pledge to halt small boat arrivals within two weeks of taking office.
The party is actively preparing for a potential entry into government, establishing an internal policy department headed by former chairman zia Yusuf. Farage struck a confident tone, describing recent successes as “only the beginning.”
Additional reporting: PA
