Nigel Farage has resigned as MP for Clacton, triggering a by-election he has vowed to win – but the decision has left his own constituents deeply divided and drawn ridicule from opponents who call the move a 'stunt' and a 'vanity project'.
The Reform UK leader’s resignation came amid a row over his financial affairs, after the Sunday Times reported he had not declared benefits and questions were raised about a £5m gift. Speaking on Connaught Avenue in Frinton, supporter Graham Smith alleged a campaign was being waged against him. 'Everybody who can is trying to poison the political atmosphere against him,' Smith said. 'I think he’s a breath of fresh air in politics and I really don’t care if he’s got six houses.'
“Nigel Farage resigns as Clacton MP, triggering by-election amid row over £5m gift and undeclared benefits.”
Barber Memmzy Ozy, 31, said: 'He’s alright, you know. I trust Nigel. Hopefully he’ll be the winner.' Dean Gardiner, who owns a shoe shop on the same street, added: 'Perhaps [the by-election] will straighten things out and the public will either show their support or they won’t. I think more people will vote for him, I certainly will.'
But other residents were scathing. Frankie Ashworth, 18, from Clacton, said she disagreed with Farage on most subjects. 'I don’t really want my child to grow up in a country with Nigel Farage being a politician,' she said. 'I hope the local people aren’t stupid enough to vote him back in.' Denise Webb, a 61-year-old support worker, accused Farage of being 'biased', 'negative' and 'not a very nice man', adding his plan to remove illegal immigrants would fail because 'who’s going to fill all of those places?'
Mark, from Jaywick, told BBC Essex: 'All we hear all the time is promises, promises, promises. They get elected, they get placed in Parliament… And nothing ever happens.'
The by-election itself has been dismissed by the main parties, who have declined to field candidates. Instead, Farage will face a line-up of novelty contenders including Count Binface – the alter ego of comedian Jon Harvey – who quickly confirmed he would stand. David Lammy and Rachel Reeves have both framed the contest as 'Farage versus Binface', while Dan Hodges writes that Farage is learning that 'when voters are laughing at you, it’s over'.
The row over Farage’s financial disclosure and his relationship with convicted fraudster 'Posh' George Cottrell is expected to dominate interviews, further complicating his attempt to regain the seat he vacated.