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Nigel Farage has taken on a tenth role, earning £25,000 as a commentator for Sky News Australia, which is backed by Rupert Murdoch. In his recent comments to the channel, he remarked on the troubling state of the UK, stating that the nation is experiencing a downward trajectory.
As the leader of Reform UK, Farage has built a diverse portfolio of income sources in addition to his responsibilities as a Member of Parliament. His earnings include a lucrative £280,000 position promoting gold bullion, a monthly column for the Daily Telegraph earning him £4,000, and over £330,000 from hosting on GB News since July. His income from public speaking engagements, social media collaborations across platforms like Google, X, and Meta, as well as personalized video sales on Cameo, have collectively allowed him to amass nearly £900,000 in external earnings.
In a recent interview on the Australian outlet, Farage engaged in a discussion with Peta Credlin, a former chief of staff to ex-Prime Minister Tony Abbott. During this interaction, he expressed grave concerns regarding the UK’s economic situation, asserting, “We are going downhill. We are in economic decline. People are getting poorer.” He referenced issues such as a rise in crime, exemplified by the threshold for shoplifting now set at £200 without repercussions, and highlighted a soaring rate of knife-related violence. Further, he criticized Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ demeanor, suggesting she appeared perpetually somber, and accused the government of leading the UK into a recession.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting responded to Farage by condemning his pessimistic portrayal of the nation. Streeting called for a proactive discourse against the narratives presented by rightwing populists, implying that it is crucial to promote a more optimistic vision for Britain.
Farage’s latest job was disclosed in the new register of MPs’ interests. This register also reflects the significant influence of News Corp in the media landscape, as the company is controlled largely by the Murdoch family.
A spokesperson for Farage confirmed that he has been providing commentary for Sky News Australia for an extended period, clarifying that the recently noted £25,368 payment was for 19 hours of work completed over several months.
In conjunction with revelations about Farage, the register also highlighted several instances of lawmakers accepting complimentary gifts. Notably, Reeves accepted tickets valued at £276 for a National Theatre event, alongside dinner invitations. Following controversy surrounding her acceptance of highly sought-after concert tickets, Reeves has pledged to refrain from accepting such freebies in the future.
Despite public criticism regarding politician hospitality, many MPs continue to accept complimentary tickets. Labour MPs, including Sarah Coombes, Steve Race, and James Frith, received a cumulative £3,000 in giveaway tickets and hospitality for the Brit Awards. Other MPs, like Grahame Morris and Kevin Hollinrake, accepted tickets to the Cheltenham horse racing event, while Liberal Democrat Paul Kohler received Fulham v Crystal Palace match tickets valued at £1,700.
Labour leader Keir Starmer also accepted tickets to watch Arsenal play, marking the eighth occasion he has taken advantage of football hospitality since assuming office. He justified this by stating he possesses a season ticket but faces difficulties accessing stands due to heightened security protocols as Prime Minister.
Shadow Culture Secretary Stuart Andrew and Shadow Sports Minister Louie French similarly accepted tickets for high-profile events, including the BAFTAs and the Carabao Cup final. Tory MP and former minister Helen Grant secured tickets for the England v Latvia World Cup qualifying match, adding to the ongoing conversation around the ethics of MPs receiving such hospitality.
Source
www.theguardian.com