Nigel Farage will be in the US on Sunday for an astonishing sixth time since being elected MP for Clacton-on-Sea in Essex on July 4.
The leader of Reform UK, who has been dubbed 'the MP for MAGA' by some political opponents in Westminster, will make one of the speeches at a major Republican fundraising dinner, which will also be addressed by newly elected President Donald Trump.
However, the dinner's organizers have delivered an extraordinary criticism of Kemi Badenoch and the Tories.
The number of trips across the Atlantic that Mr Farage has made in less than six months as MP has already raised questions about his commitment to his Clacton constituency, even though he is believed to be seeking a visit there from the upcoming USA president.
Recently Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer mocked Farage for 'a rare appearance', adding: 'He's been spending so much time in America lately that I half expected to see him in the immigration statistics.'
Special relationship: Nigel Farage has a close relationship with Trump (Getty)
But in a surprising twist, organizers of the New York Young Republican Club (NYYRC) dinner where Farage is addressing have made a conscious decision to ban Kemi Badenoch or representatives of the Tories, who call the world's oldest political party “losers.” not formally invited. ” following their historic election defeat in July.
NYYRC director Vish Burra said The independent: “The NYYRC Gala is a party for winners, not for globalist losers. MAGA Republicans are not interested in working with parties that are in the death throes of their moral integrity and electoral viability.”
NYYRC President Gavin Wax added: “For a decade and a half, the British Tories ruled their country to the left of the Democrats. It ended in record migration, legal and illegal, effectively bankrupting the country and turning it into something weak, unreliable and unrecognizable. Worse, their indifference led to this even greater disaster of a Labor government. They are a textbook example of how difficult it is to govern, and the idea of them getting anywhere near a MAGA power center is risky.”
Founded in 1911, the NYYRC is the oldest and largest Young Republican club in the entire United States, with the annual dinner being a major fundraising event.
JD Vance recently met Kemi Badenoch (JD Vance
The decision comes amid tensions within the Trump camp over whether to support Farage and his Reform UK party or stick to their long-standing alliance with the Tories in their relations with Britain.
The independent revealed splits after criticism from some in JD Vance's Trump team over the weekend meeting with Ms Badenoch. It was the second meeting between the two, who have been texting each other regularly over the past eighteen months.
Ms. Badenoch was also endorsed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and welcomed by Congress President Mike Johnson, among others. She also has strong relationships with Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Senator Rick Scott, both of whom are influential figures.
But the row deepened when an American source, who is an ally of Ms Badenoch, suggested that “Farage is not that close to Trump” and described the reform leader “as an eccentric British fanboy.”
It was later pointed out that Farage and Trump have each other's mobile phone numbers and “talk regularly”.
But the row is part of a battle on the right of British politics, with the reforms dividing the traditional Tory vote, with some arguing they could replace the Conservatives. Farage sees his relationship with Trump as essential to success in Britain.
However, it is clear that while Trump and Farage have a close relationship, the two are seen as 'one-upmanship', while the Republicans have a broader vision.
According to a well-placed insider, this means the Tories and Republican Party are renewing their relationship with Trump's deputy chief of staff Stephen Millar, who is crucial to the job, through back channels, even though he likes Farage.
