Nigel Farage’s speech to the Ukip conference was fine. Not a bad speech, but not his best speech, either. It was just fine. Activists seemed happy, ecstatic, even when he came on, and were joyful chanting when he left the stage too. But Farage clearly wanted to answer a number of questions about his own position.
The Ukip leader started by pointing out that there had been a number of questions about his whereabouts, and that some of his opponents had tried to spread some unpleasant rumours that he was unwell (there have been some rumours circulating in Westminster to that effect, though it’s unclear where they originated from). ‘Rumours of my demise have been greatly exaggerated,’ he announced to the conference, adding that ‘I’ve been here in Thanet, working with an active local branch.’ He then pointed to the poll showing him 11 points ahead in the constituency.
Towards the end of his speech, the Ukip leader said he hoped to lead his party not just into this election, but into the ones after it, listing local elections, elections in Wales, and so on, though he didn’t mention the 2020 election specifically.
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