Does Zohran Mamdani’s victory in New York signal that Nigel Farage’s bubble is about to burst? - David Behrens

Does Zohran Mamdani’s Victory Signal Nigel Farage’s Decline?

In New York this week, voters elected a Muslim mayor, strongly rejecting the president’s xenophobic stance. Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, the far-right ‘Party for Freedom’ suffered a humiliating defeat. In the UK, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK councillors appeared to be retreating rapidly, raising questions about whether their brand of right-wing populism has already peaked.

Farage’s Political Struggles

The week proved challenging for politicians across the spectrum. On Monday, it became evident that Nigel Farage, despite his Elon Musk-style rhetoric about slashing bureaucracy, behaved much like the mainstream parties he openly criticizes. Just two days before Labour leader Rachel Reeves suggested possible tax increases, Farage backtracked on his earlier pledge to cut £90 billion in taxes if he won office.

"It was only ever ‘an aspiration’," he said, before blaming others for leaving a larger financial mess than expected.

Farage also declined to guarantee the continuation of the pension triple-lock, a policy protecting those in late middle age from inflation's impact.

Summary

Recent political developments in New York, the Netherlands, and the UK suggest a decline in right-wing populism’s momentum, while Farage’s credibility suffers due to his shifting promises and blame-shifting tactics.

Author’s note: This political moment highlights the shifting tides against far-right populist movements in Western democracies.

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Yorkshire Post Yorkshire Post — 2025-11-09

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