Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, recently held a special lunch to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day — the day World War II ended in Europe. He invited a small group of World War II veterans along with a few lucky guests to honour the sacrifices made by those who fought during the war from 1939 to 1945.
Farage showed up wearing a Union Jack tie and socks, clearly proud to represent Britain. He warmly greeted everyone at the event but made sure to give special attention to the elderly veterans, many of whom arrived dressed in sharp suits with medals pinned to their jackets — medals they earned through bravery and service.
The lunch was held upstairs at an elegant venue, with two beautifully decorated tables already set. The starter was a fancy dish made with aubergine, tomato, and pesto. Farage joked about being a talkative guest and moved around the room, chatting with everyone to make sure they were having a good time.
One of the guests was 100-year-old Jim O’Dwyer, a former rear gunner who flew on 31 missions during the war. Despite how dangerous his job was, Jim spoke about how much he missed the deep bond and loyalty shared among soldiers during those tough times.
After the starter, one of the organisers gave a heartfelt speech about the importance of remembering VE Day and honouring the veterans still with us. Then came the main meal — chicken wrapped in bacon with mashed potatoes and perfectly cooked vegetables.
Farage later stood up to speak, thanking the veterans and saying the event was meant to celebrate their courage. His speech focused on loving Britain and wanting to protect its culture and traditions. While the audience already strongly supported his views, some might say his message would’ve made a bigger splash if delivered somewhere more politically tense — like at a protest or a rival party event.
Still, Farage made a personal effort to show his appreciation. He gave each veteran a box of chocolates and a commemorative trophy as a thank-you for their service. A final speech came from a relative of Winston Churchill, who praised Farage’s passion for Britain and even compared it to the wartime Prime Minister’s own spirit.
The lunch ended on a sweet note with a classic British dessert — sticky toffee pudding and ice cream. One of the standout guests was Dorothea Barron, another 100-year-old veteran who had joined the Women’s Royal Naval Service when she was just 16. She spoke passionately about how people today lack respect for one another and stressed the need for younger generations to understand what war really means.
After the event, Farage sat down for an interview and said he felt connected to the veterans because they share similar values. He believes that to bring national pride back to the country, changes need to start in schools — and Reform UK wants to change the curriculum to reflect that.
Whether people agree with him or not, Farage made one thing clear at the lunch — if his party leads, Britain will look and feel a lot more British again.
