Nigel Farage has indicated that a future Reform UK government could appoint individuals from outside Parliament to key cabinet positions, challenging the traditional Westminster model.
Speaking during an LBC phone-in on Thursday, the Reform UK leader dismissed the notion that ministers "must all be politicians in the House of Commons" as "nonsense".
He drew parallels with the US system, where cabinet members frequently have no prior electoral experience, arguing that running public finances should be approached "as if you’re running a business".
While declining to name any specific individuals under consideration, Mr Farage hinted at significant progress, stating: "I’m amazed by the conversations we’re having already." He said: “Some of them are very well-known people.
“This country is in economic, social and cultural decline, we are in big trouble, and a lot of people recognise that if this is not turned around within the next decade, the place will, frankly, not be worth living in.”
In the wide-ranging phone-in, he also said he wanted to be prime minister because he did not “see anybody else with the guts to take on the really tough issues this country faces and turn it round”.
Asked whether he supported same-sex marriage, which he previously opposed, he would only say it was a “settled issue”, and he described a recent Commons vote to decriminalise women who have abortions after the 24-week limit as “disturbing”.
Mr Farage also ruled out banning non-stunned meat, such as kosher and halal products, saying he did not “like it” but there were “more important, more urgent priorities”.
He also called for US President Donald Trump to be allowed to address Parliament when he comes to the UK later this year, after he was barred from doing so on his previous state visit.
