‘Violence is a red line’: could Nigel Farage’s ‘pure, cold rage’ rhetoric damage his brand?

Reform UK leader looks spooked by far-right Restore and risks undermining efforts to appeal to moderate voters

Nigel Farage’s self-confidence is famously iron-clad. But just before 12.30pm on Wednesday as a visibly angry Keir Starmer tore into his “unforgivable” response to the murder of Henry Nowak, Farage’s attempts to laugh off the criticism looked unconvincing. He was rattled.

This has been a curious week for the Reform UK leader. The headlines have been dominated by a story seemingly tailor-made for his culture war instincts. But some believe that this time Farage might have overplayed his hand.