Nigel Farage has resigned as Clacton MP and immediately proposed a by-election on 6 August, a move he insists is not a publicity stunt but a chance for voters to judge him amid mounting scrutiny over his finances. In his first interview since stepping down, the Reform UK leader told the BBC: “The media are judging me to be a dishonest person, so it is only fair to say to the voters, 'you judge'.”
The resignation follows intensifying pressure over a £5m gift he received from tech entrepreneur Christopher Harborne in April 2024. The donation, from a billionaire Reform donor, has prompted opposition parties to call for Parliament's standards watchdog to investigate. An investigation into the gift will be suspended during the by-election but could resume if Farage is re-elected.
“Farage resigns, triggers by-election; opponents boycott; £5m gift from crypto-tycoon investigated.”
Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party have all declined to contest the seat, accusing Farage of a stunt. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said he wants to “duck and dive around the rules”, while Tory leader Kemi Badenoch branded the move a “gimmick”. Farage dismissed the boycott, telling the BBC: “They call it a stunt. It's not a stunt, because real voters will have a vote for an MP.” He accused the parties of being “scared” to face him.
Reform UK has said it will move the writ to trigger the by-election process, which must be approved by MPs. A contest would then take place between 21 and 27 working days later. However, it remains unclear whether Tendring District Council, which would make formal arrangements, can hold the vote on the proposed date.
Farage, who has denied any wrongdoing, says the lack of co-operation from other parties does not make the by-election “fake”. The move comes after weeks of media scrutiny and questions over whether he should have declared the Harborne gift under parliamentary rules that require newly elected MPs to disclose benefits received in the 12 months before their election that relate to political activities.