I nabbed a ticket to the hottest party in town (Image: Phil Bryant X / Daily Express)
Washington DC is abuzz with excitement about the return of a political outsider enjoying a seemingly dominant and inevitable rise to power
No, not Donald Trump, but Nigel Farage. Republicans are swarming to meet the Reform UK leader, the media are chomping at the bit to interview him, and there’s even talk of a $10m donation waiting in the wings.
It’s all very different to 2016, when despite speaking alongside Mr Trump at a rally, he remained a relative unknown among the upper echelons of DC’s political and media elite.
This time around, there is simply no ignoring the man who is arguably now the most powerful Brit in America.
No other politician or diplomat, including Keir Starmer, David Lammy or incoming ambassador Peter Mandelson, has anything like the influence over Donald Trump that Nigel Farage enjoys.
The party was hosted by Gerry Gunster and Arron Banks (Image: Daily Express)
This buzz was seen in full flow last night as influential lobbyists threw a glitzy champagne-fuelled bash for the Clacton MP at one of Washington’s top hotels.
Guests from Britain and the US ascended the nine floors to the top of the Hay Adams hotel for the party, entitled: “Stars and Stripes and the Union Jack”.
It was mainly hosted by US consultant Gerry Gunster and Arron Banks, two figures crucial in helping Britain secure Brexit during the referendum campaign.
Alongside Nigel Farage were other political celebrities from both sides of the Atlantic, including former Prime Minister Liz Truss, peers Matthew Elliott and Kate Hoey, former MPs Nigel Adams and Tobias Ellwood, Ian Paisley Jr – who delighted in taking control of the mic at 10pm to announce the bar was staying open for an extra hour – and Trump advisors Steve Bannon, Ant Middleton and Seb Gorka.
The VIP guests quaffed champagne, and Brits risked taking on G&Ts which in America are lethal owing to the spirits being ‘free poured’ rather than measured out.
Thankfully catering was on hand to soak up the alcohol. US guests were invited to sample British classics including fish and chips (which bore little resemblance to either fish or chips), and roast beef and Yorkshire puddings.
The fish and chips bore little resemblance to our national delicacy (Image: Daily Express)
English guests were able to enjoy local seafood delicacies including oysters and langoustines, served in an enormous ice tray surrounding an ice sculpture White House.
One birdie told me that the party was such a hot ticket that Peter Mandelson had wanted to come, but had been blocked by outgoing ambassador Karen Pierce.
Mr Farage was followed wherever he went by cameras, and entourage of adoring fans and Reform UK treasurer Nick Candy, who revealed that one attendee said he wants to give Reform UK $10 million to help them oust Keir Starmer.
I’ve been to a number of political parties in my time, but I have to say the event was well-behaved and refined. Far away from the sort we get in British political life featuring a sweaty room above a pub and glasses of room temperature white wine.
In the lift down, however, one delighted US reveller exclaimed he had had a fantastic time. I was happy to inform him it must have been down to us Brits.
