Lee Anderson said he would be “absolutely delighted” if Nigel Farage made a comeback after the Brexit architect dropped his strongest hint yet.
The former Ukip and Brexit Party leader, who has been at the centre of ongoing speculation over his political future, said there is a “historic opportunity to really change things”.
Speaking to the Express today as he kicked off Reform’s Blackpool South by-election campaign, Mr Anderson said: “Nigel Farage is very popular wherever you go in the country. He’s got the old rock star appeal, I think Boris had that.
“Look if he came back into frontline politics I’d be absolutely delighted. It would certainly make my job easier to be re-elected.
“It would give the people of this country – the normal, decent, hard-working people that are looking for an alternative – a bit of a lift as well and encourage people to come out and vote whenever the election is.”
Mr Anderson unveiled Mark Butcher, who founded the Amazing Grace soup kitchen for the homeless, as Reform’s candidate for the by-election in the northwest constituency.
Mr Butcher said he would be “very excited” if Mr Farage returned to the insurgent party currently led by businessman Richard Tice.
He said: “Nigel is a great politician and look what he did with Brexit. He’s got my full support, I admire Nigel and I hope he does come back to the party.
“Although I think Richard Tice has done an absolutely amazing job to get the party where it is.”
It comes after Mr Farage addressed ongoing rumours over whether he will return to frontline politics in an interview with Unherd.
The GB News presenter said: “I honestly don’t know. Life for me is pretty good. I’ve got a job that I love… I’m earning very good money, which I haven’t done for 30 years.
“The kids are all grown up… getting back into politics means giving all that up. But maybe, just maybe.'”
He added: “There’s a historic opportunity to really change things. I edge towards thinking that may be the case.”
