Key Takeaways
- Nigel Farage visited Dubai to build diplomatic relations with UAE ministers and secure donations for Reform UK from wealthy expats.
- Farage met with UAE industry minister Sultan Al Jaber and other senior officials, and spoke at a GB News event to promote the news network.
- The trip was Farage’s second visit to the Gulf state in two months, following a £10,000 trip hosted by Abu Dhabi to attend the Formula One grand prix.
- Farage praised the UAE for its low crime rate, entrepreneurship, and "sensible" taxes, and suggested that the UK could learn from these policies.
- The trip was also an opportunity for Farage to meet with British expats and secure their support for Reform UK.
Introduction to Nigel Farage’s Visit
Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, has made a two-night visit to Dubai to build diplomatic relations with United Arab Emirates ministers and secure donations for his party from wealthy expats. This trip marks a significant development in Farage’s diplomatic efforts, as he has previously been largely associated with the US administration of Donald Trump. The visit was also an opportunity for Farage to promote GB News, a news network that has been a key platform for his views and has paid him over £200,000 last year.
Meetings with UAE Ministers
During his visit, Farage met with several senior UAE officials, including industry minister Sultan Al Jaber, who is also the chief executive of the state oil company Adnoc and a former chair of the UAE’s national media council. Farage described his meeting with Al Jaber as a "very good interview" and praised the UAE for its low crime rate, entrepreneurship, and "sensible" taxes. He also suggested that the UK could learn from these policies, saying that "these are all the things that we’re going to do in the United Kingdom". The meeting was seen as a significant development in Farage’s diplomatic efforts, as he seeks to build relationships with foreign governments and promote his party’s policies.
GB News Event
Farage also spoke at a GB News event, held at the Aura Skypool, a 50-storey venue that boasts the world’s "highest infinity pool". The event was attended by several high-profile guests, including the former Conservative chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, who defected to Reform UK this month, and senior members of GB News such as its owner, Paul Marshall. Farage gave a brief speech in which he praised GB News and its owner, saying that "they all laughed at us" when the network was launched, but are now taking it seriously. He also used the opportunity to promote his party’s policies and suggest that the UK could learn from the UAE’s approach to taxation and crime.
Securing Donations
Farage’s visit to Dubai was also an opportunity for him to secure donations for Reform UK from wealthy expats. He met with several potential donors, including the Indian billionaire Sunny Varkey, who is worth $4bn according to Forbes magazine. Varkey, who owns the schools operator GEMS Education, hosted a private lunch for Farage opposite the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab hotel, which was reported to be a fundraising event. However, Farage declined to comment on whether Varkey had suggested donating to Reform UK, saying that "even if he had, I wouldn’t discuss it". The visit was seen as a significant opportunity for Farage to secure funding for his party, which received the largest donation ever made to a UK party in December, when the expatriated crypto investor Christopher Harborne gave £9m.
Implications of the Visit
The implications of Farage’s visit to Dubai are significant, as it marks a new development in his diplomatic efforts and suggests that he is seeking to build relationships with foreign governments and promote his party’s policies. The visit also highlights the importance of GB News as a platform for Farage’s views, and the significant financial backing that the network has received from Dubai-based investors. As Farage seeks to promote his party’s policies and secure funding, his visit to Dubai is likely to be seen as a key moment in his efforts to build a credible alternative to the mainstream parties in the UK. With the UK’s next election on the horizon, Farage’s visit to Dubai is a significant development in the country’s political landscape, and one that is likely to have far-reaching implications for the future of British politics.
