THE TIMES HAS named Nigel Farage its ‘Briton of the Year’.

It follows a stunning performance from his UKIP party in 2014 — both at home, and in Europe.

Source: Empics Entertainment/EMPICS Entertainment

24 party MEPs were elected to Brussels back in May — more than any other political grouping in Britain.

That was followed in October by its long anticipated Westminster breakthrough, as Douglas Carswell was elected in a by-election, having left the Conservatives.

Another domestic success followed last month, as Mark Reckless — another defector from David Cameron’s backbenches — claimed a seat in Rochester and Strood.

A recent YouGov poll put support for Farage’s party at 28 per cent — ten behind the Tories, and edging out Ed Miliband’s Labour.

As you might imagine, the man himself is pretty happy with the newspaper’s honour (which, it should be noted, isn’t exactly an accolade, more of an assessment of his influence on the political scene).

Despite all, The Times has named me Briton of the year. Attacks aside, I am grateful. Thank you. http://t.co/6gqGvjoPVL — Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) December 26, 2014 Source: Nigel Farage /Twitter

Reaction

The decision has been met with plenty of criticism online — with some readers even cancelling their Times subscriptions as a result.

The Times has named Nigel Farage as 'Briton of the Year'. So I wrote to cancel my subscription. Pls do the same. pic.twitter.com/PSvaCK4tkg — James Rhodes (@JRhodesPianist) December 27, 2014 Source: James Rhodes /Twitter

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Ireland can be an embarrassment at times but I don't think any newspaper here would give Nigel Farage a person of the year award #muppets — Katie Dawson (@katiedawson23) December 27, 2014 Source: Katie Dawson /Twitter

The editor of The Spectator said he disagreed with the Times’ editorial position…

IMHO, Alex Salmond was far more consequential in 2014 than Nigel Farage. Last ICM poll puts SNP on course to win far more seats than UKIP. — Fraser Nelson (@FraserNelson) December 27, 2014 Source: Fraser Nelson /Twitter

And even political heavyweights have been weighing in on the issue…