Finding Farage a new home... A job for Locate Jersey or Guernsey?

Thursday 25 May 2023

Nigel Farage has reiterated his love for the Channel Islands, saying he would move if Brexit "definitely fails".

On a visit to Guernsey in 2019, the former UKIP and Brexit Party leader told Express that he liked visiting Guernsey, which he had been to four or five times previously.

Last night, he was interviewed by national journalist Robert Peston who reminded him: "You also famously said that if Brexit had definitively failed that you would move abroad."

"Where would you fancy living?" he asked him. 

Mr Farage quickly responded, without a moment's hesitation: "Oh, the Channel Islands."

.@Peston: Where would you fancy living?@Nigel_Farage: Oh the Channel Islands probably.

Nigel Farage tells @Peston where he’ll move if Brexit “definitely fails”#Peston pic.twitter.com/xyvMhhbFLB

— Peston (@itvpeston) May 24, 2023

While he wasn't clear on whether he'd rather Jersey or Guernsey, previous visits suggest a fondness for Guernsey.

On a previous visit, he told Express that people in Guernsey are "very welcoming".

At the same time, he also said that he believed the UK's exit from the European Union will be of benefit to Guernsey.

As well as his visit to the island in 2019, where he spoke to Express during a tour of the Town Church, Mr Farage has been known to enjoy a pint at the island's Cock and Bull pub.

He also came ashore in 2015 while on a cruise which stopped at St. Peter Port Harbour.

In 2010 he gave Guernsey, Jersey and Switzerland as examples of places which were part of the single market but were not EU members during an exchange on Twitter where he was asked how Brexit could benefit the UK.

Mr Farage has also repeatedly referenced the Channel Islands in interviews over the years where he's given examples of jurisdictions managing without EU "interference" in defence of his support of Brexit. 

However, whether or not the Channel Islands would welcome Mr Farage is a different matter.

After seeing the clip posted by the Peston Twitter page, some Channel Islands residents responded rather negatively, while others made jokes.

Tim Atkins joked: "House prices on the Channel Islands have tumbled this morning."

Robbie Andrews said: "As a Jerseyman speaking... Guernsey can have him."

One user going under the pseudonym of 'Feral Chicken' said: "Alderney might have him."

Meanwhile, Jersey's External Relations Minister, Deputy Philip Ozouf, responded by saying Mr Farage's "external perspective would be informative" before going on the highlight the qualities of Jersey, including its "vibrant democracy with political stability."

CI’s positive mention ✅@Nigel_Farage external ???????? perspective would be informative

⏺️ Gov focused on delivering islander’s priorities
- Cost of Living
- Housing
- Healthcare
⏺️ Recruitment
⏺️ Vibrant democracy with political stability
⏺️ Medium term fiscal prudence low taxes
????

— Philip Ozouf ???????? (@philipozouf) May 25, 2023

Watch this space...