Pushing Back Against Nigel Farage
…and the rise of authoritarianism
Nigel Farage's rise in the polls and the creeping tide of authoritarian politics represent one of the most serious threats to our democracy in generations. We believe it’s not enough to simply disagree with Farage’s brand of divisive populism. We have to actively monitor it, call it out, and build the structures that make our democracy resilient against it.
Farage thrives on exploiting a broken political system, murky funding networks, and deliberate disinformation. Each of these vulnerabilities corrodes trust in politics, weakens accountability, and empowers authoritarian movements. That is why our work focuses on three core, interconnected tenets: securing Proportional Representation, ending Dark Money, and combatting Disinformation. In short, it’s about forcing Farage to fight fair – creating a level playing field where the far-right can no longer rely on broken systems and dirty tricks.
Exposing the Authoritarian Playbook
Nigel Farage’s appeal is carefully cultivated. He positions himself as a political outsider while benefiting from an establishment rigged in his favour. He pushes policies that centralise power in the hands of the few while claiming to speak for the people. And he uses culture wars and scapegoating as a distraction from real economic and social problems.
Their support is a symptom of a failed democracy. Disillusionment has taken hold because too many people feel unrepresented, powerless, and left behind. Farage benefits from that disillusionment – and then actively deepens it, spreading lies and fear to grow the problem and profit from it personally.
By monitoring his speeches, media appearances, campaign activity, and financial networks, we shine a light on this playbook. The more the public can see how these tactics work, the harder it is for Farage and his allies to succeed in manipulating them.
Why Proportional Representation Matters
Farage and others on the far-right have been able to game First Past The Post (FPTP) for years. Despite limited electoral support, they’ve used the system’s distortions to punch far above their weight – whether by pulling the major parties into their orbit, or by threatening seats with vote-splitting.
Proportional Representation (PR) is a crucial first step. It ensures that every vote counts equally and makes it harder for demagogues to hijack the system. Authoritarians thrive when a minority can dominate the majority; PR guarantees that political power reflects the broad spectrum of public opinion, not just the loudest voice. PR makes them fight on equal terms.
Ending Dark Money
Democracy cannot survive when voters are left in the dark about who is paying for politics. Farage-linked networks have long been associated with murky funding streams, routed through loopholes and opaque organisations. This enables wealthy elites – including those with interests far outside of the UK – to bankroll campaigns that reshape our country without transparency or accountability.
We are campaigning to close these loopholes, shine a light on every pound spent in politics, and end the era of Dark Money. Democracy should be funded transparently, not auctioned off behind closed doors.
Combatting Disinformation
Authoritarianism relies on the spread of lies. From false claims about migration to distorted narratives about the economy and Britain’s place in the world, Farage and his allies flood the public space with disinformation designed to inflame anger and sow division.
We are building systems to track, expose, and challenge this disinformation when it happens. By equipping citizens with the truth, amplifying fact-checking, and pressuring tech platforms to act responsibly, we can blunt the effectiveness of these campaigns and protect our public sphere.
Our Mission
Pushing back against Farage is not about one man, it’s about the health of our democracy. Authoritarianism flourishes when systems are weak. By repairing our democracy – through Proportional Representation, transparent funding, and honest public debate – we can ensure that democracy in Britain is robust enough to withstand this threat.
We are committed to mobilising a movement of people who want a freer, fairer, and more democratic future. Nigel Farage and the far-right's support shows us what happens when democracy fails; our mission is to fix the system so that they can only win through truth, fairness, and genuine consent of the people.
