A Europhile MEP is trolling UKIP with a sarcastic bid to succeed Nigel Farage as the party’s leader.
Antanas Guoga, a Lithuanian politician – and also a poker player – claims to have entered the party’s leadership contest.
VIDEO: Met @Nigel_Farage + told him i running for next @UKIP leader + official application letter https://t.co/6ph3kTWgmB #UKIP #TonyG4UKIP
— Antanas Guoga (@TonyGuoga) July 5, 2016
Guoga says he will stand on a pro-EU platform, offering a voice for any unusual ‘Kippers who have changed their mind about their party’s signature policy of getting the UK out of the bloc.
In an open letter seemingly aimed at riling Farage, Guoga writes to UKIP returning officer Roger Bird to offer his services.
As well as waging his campaign online, Guoga ambushed Farage in Strasbourg, hoping to secure a lightning endorsement.
A bemused Farage brushed him off with the words “we’ll see”.
Guoga has form when it comes to baiting Farage. After the UKIP leader placed a £1,000 bet on Britain leaving the EU, Guoga threw down the gauntlet to make a €1 million bet with him.
Luckily for Guoga’s wallet, Farage did not agree, and Guoga has more cash to devote to his nascent leadership campaign:
My team is campaigning full speed 4 #TonyG4UKIP with @nemeikstyte @miglea7 @adajonuse #MissingEUAlready pic.twitter.com/IMVbJnGEFt
— Antanas Guoga (@TonyGuoga) July 7, 2016
However, UKIP officials knocked a hole in the bottom of Guogas’s plan, saying that he cannot stand because he hasn’t been a party member for at least a year.
A spokesman told Heat Street: “Mr Guoga is welcome to donate the £5,000 deposit to a charity of his choice.
“As there is a requirement to be a party member for a year then he is ineligible. Better luck next year, Antanas.”
