Nigel Farage will lead Britain to the 'sunlit uplands' as next Tory leader, ally predicts

Nigel Farage will become Prime Minister after a global financial meltdown knocks Sir Keir Starmer out of power, Donald Trump's former Chief Strategist has said.

Steve Bannon warned the UK's deepening financial woes will spell disaster for Labour if they win the next election.

But he predicted Mr Farage will ride to the rescue, leading Britain to the “sunlit uplands" as leader of the Conservative Party.

The former White House mastermind said he expects a Tory "election wipe out" - paving the way for the former Ukip leader to take control.

"I think Nigel Farage will be Prime Minister after Sir Keir, and I think Nigel Farage with this kind of populist-nationalist take, it will be a guy that already had the most important political development with Brexit,” he said

"I think he’s the guy to actually see Brexit through, and I believe he’ll be Prime Minister one day and I think he’ll lead the United Kingdom to the sunlit uplands."

With the UK already grappling with economic instability, Mr Bannon warned there will be a "global financial crisis".

"I happen to think it’s going to be on Sir Keir’s watch and that’s what I think will lead back to the premiership of Nigel."

The long-time ally of Mr Trump called on Mr Farage to shake up the Conservative Party from within rather than start a new party.

Speaking on the The Sun's new politics show, Never Mind the Ballots, he said: "The way I see it, the Tory Party, like the Republicans, don’t spend a lot of time trying to build third parties.

"Take over the apparatus that’s right in front of you."

Mr Farage and the former President are known to be friends and have campaigned together, with the GB News presenter seen interviewing Mr Trump and at rallies.

Just this month, the ex-US president wished the Brexit campaigner a happy 60th birthday.

In a video message played at Mr Farage's party on April 3, Trump said: "You're a historic figure as a prophetic leader, and I know that the people of the UK are grateful for your patriotism and service.

"In fact. I'm very much looking forward to watching what your next move is going to be, it's going to be an interesting one."

Farage has said he would happily serve as Britain's ambassador to the US under a Trump presidency.

Former Prime Minister Liz Truss this month said she would like the Reform UK founder to join the Tories.

The Brexit champion said it was "very sweet" of her to say that but insisted he had no intention to do so for the time being.

Mr Farage told ITV: "I've got no intentions of joining this Conservative Party at this moment in time.

"I've absolutely no idea what they stand for on any issue at all, nor do they.

"It's very sweet of Liz Truss to say that, but I won't be joining the Conservative Party."

The former MEP said he "simply hasn't decided" whether to take a more prominent role ahead of the election.

Richard Tice is currently leader of the Reform UK but Mr Farage founded the party and has been mulling a comeback for months.

Mr Bannon was dubbed Trump's "puppet master" with a direct line to the President during his time as chief strategist.

But he dramatically left the post in 2017 amid rumours of a power struggle with Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner.

In 2019, he was indicted on charges of money laundering, fraud and conspiracy.