Nigel Farage stages ‘strike’ despite date for next PMQs question

This week the Reform UK leader sat in the public gallery instead of in the debating chamber, saying it was because he never gets called by the Speaker. Since last summer’s election, Farage has had six questions at PMQs, while other members of Reform have also been called to speak.

He tweeted: “Every week at PMQs I am attacked by the PM and Labour MPs, but have no right of reply. I am just a mere spectator. So I have decided to spectate from the public gallery today instead.” He told GB News he would not return “until I get a question”.

The Observer understands that Farage and his party colleagues were sent a rota some weeks ago with the date of his next question – which falls on 12 November. The Mirror reported that Farage has not requested a PMQs question since July.

Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: “This is Farage in a nutshell – manufacturing grievance instead of doing his actual job.”

A Reform party spokesman defended the leader’s actions, saying: “[Kemi] Badenoch has 33 times more questions than Farage because of parliamentary process – when Farage should have twice as many questions as Badenoch if PMQs was to reflect current opinion polls.

“In the 24 sessions of PMQs this year up to summer recess, Reform or Nigel Farage were attacked by the government benches 21 times in sessions where they were not able to respond… Parliament started back two weeks ago but Nigel doesn’t get a so-called ‘minor party’ question until mid-November.”

Questions during PMQs are not apportioned on the basis of opinion polls, but rather a mixture of party size, the Speaker’s discretion and the luck of the draw.

A spokesperson for the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, said: “Like all members, any Reform MP can enter the weekly ballot for PMQs, which randomly picks the first 15 questions for the session… In addition, if the ballot doesn’t provide cross-party balance, the Speaker has discretion on the day to call a Member, within the timeframe of PMQs, who is bobbing in order to achieve party balance.

“Furthermore, under a new system introduced by this Speaker to support smaller parties, the Leader of Reform is also allocated a PMQ by default every nine weeks. Of course, if any Member wishes to raise an issue in the Chamber they can do so on a point of order."