𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Nigel Farage erupted at Rachel Reeves over Brexit, as he branded the Chancellor as “hopelessly out of date” over her push for closer EU relations. Speaking at a Reform press conference this morning, Mr Farage said: “Both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor are hopelessly out of date. They’re following a narrative that was in vogue over a decade ago. The world has changed.”

He added: “Quite how you help the British economy by aligning more closely with a group of other economies, some of whom are doing even worse than we are, I just don’t know. And the thought that aligning on rules and regulations, harmonising on these things, is good for a productive economy shows the total ignorance this Labour government has.” The outburst came ahead of a major speech by the Chancellor, who is insisting that better links with the EU will help the UK economy.

The Reform UK leader said: “None of them have ever worked in business. If they had they’d know actually it’s competition, it’s different products and prices, that’s what makes an economy, that’s what gives consumers better prices, that’s what brings more businesses and competition into a market, and they don’t understand it.

“Sadly it’s very easy for them to align because the Conservative government despite saying get Brexit done did not actually get on and do any of those things.”

He added: “If you want to think about economies and what model works, when the global financial crisis of 2008 happened the American economy was exactly equal to the GDP of the Eurozone. And here we are 17 and a half years on and America’s GDP is double that of the Eurozone, that statistic alone is absolutely mind-blowing.”

Giving the Mais lecture in the City of London, the Chancellor was set to list her “three big choices” for the decade to come: deepening ties with the EU, expanding AI and other technology, and “growth in every part of Britain”.

The Chancellor was saying: “In this changing world, Britain is not powerless. We can shape our own future. Our method is stability, investment and reform – through an active and strategic state.

“Today, I am making three big choices on the greatest growth opportunities for Britain in the decade to come: growth in every part of Britain, AI and innovation, and a deeper relationship with the EU.

“Our plan is clear. To build for growth, to champion innovation, and to make Britain the place where the industries of the future are created.”