Farage blames 'short notice' after ruling out MP bid

Nigel Farage said he would be of "more use" to Reform UK nationally than as a candidate

Nigel Farage has said he ruled out standing as a candidate in the general election because of the "very short notice".

The Brexit campaigner made the comments as he claimed Reform UK was becoming a "new Conservative movement" during a visit to Dover in Kent on Tuesday.

Asked why he would not stand as an MP candidate for the party, he told BBC South East he thought the election would be called in October.

But he added: "I think I'm more use to Reform UK nationally and more use, frankly, to the national debate being out and about in the country."

Mr Farage has stood for the UK Parliament unsuccessfully seven times, most recently for South Thanet in Kent in the 2015 general election.

Reform's honorary president noted a "shift to Labour... out of disgust for the Conservatives" in Kent, but added that he believed the "majority" of constituents in places like Dover "share the opinions that Reform has".

It comes as the politician attacked the government over its handling of English Channel crossings.

He defended Reform UK's manifesto pledge to pick up migrants in boats in the Channel and take them back to France, amid concerns about people throwing themselves into the sea to evade enforcers.

"Lives could be saved if we turn boats around in the Channel because ultimately the boats will stop coming," he said.

Nigel Farage said he believed the "majority" of voters in Dover would share Reform UK's views

Mr Farage also downplayed concerns that the introduction of a new European Union border IT system will cause huge delays at ports and terminals including Dover.

He said that once it was "bedded in", it "should actually be very quick and easy" to use.

The Dover event also saw Howard Cox announced as Reform's candidate for the seat.

It comes after current MP Natalie Elphicke, who defected from the Conservatives to Labour, announced she would not stand at the next election.

While the process of selecting a new Tory candidate is underway, Mike Tapp is set to stand as the Labour candidate for Dover.

The deadline for submitting nominations for candidates is 7 June.