The Monster Raving Loony Party is set to bring its signature chaos to the upcoming Clacton by-election, with leader Howling Laud Hope expressing confusion over Nigel Farage's decision to resign as MP only to contest the seat again. Hope, who has stood in 37 parliamentary elections, told Metro: 'I do not think Farage has done the right thing. I know him personally and I think he has gone the wrong way about this.'
Hope's criticism of Farage's move
Hope highlighted Farage's past statements on the EU, saying: 'Farage always said about the EU that as long as I am in it, I can change it from the inside. Then he becomes a Member of Parliament for Clacton. Why would he want to re-elect himself? That does not make sense to me. I am pretty sure he is going to romp home.' He compared the situation to the Makerfield by-election, which he called a 'mock election' with no connection to the constituency.
Proposal for Clacton: British Disneyland
Hope's vision for the deprived seaside town, plagued by unemployment, crime, and poor housing, is to transform it into a British Disneyland. 'And Clacton will be the place to build it,' he insisted. 'Everybody will be making money. Clacton will be back to its glory days. That is all it needs. Everybody would be happy. Dancing on the streets and singing.' He aims to revive the spirit of Butlin's second ever camp, which opened to much fanfare in the area.
Rivalry with Count Binface
On Farage's main rival, Count Binface, Hope said: 'I met him a couple of times. He speaks in a galactic voice. I keep telling him, look, we are going to rule the loony-verse, not you. I do not know him personally, because I have never seen his face. You cannot make up your mind about somebody when you haven't seen their face.'
Record-breaking ambition
Hope expects the Clacton by-election to be called on August 13 and is aiming for a Guinness World Record. 'At this precise moment in time, I have done 37 parliamentary elections. If I do one more, then I will hold the Guinness Book of Records for the most times standing for the same party. The record before that that Screaming Lord Sutch and myself share. If I do one more, I will then be the champion.' He also plans to field additional candidates under the Monster Raving Loony Party, including the 'Flying Brick' and Sir Grumpus from Wales, which has never been done before.
Labour challenges Reform UK over finances
Meanwhile, Labour has accused Reform UK of taking the public 'for fools' amid questions about the party's financial affairs. Anna Turley, Labour chairwoman, said there were 'legitimate questions' for Reform leader Nigel Farage following reports in The Times that the Metropolitan Police has been investigating £500,000 donations to Reform UK for more than a year. According to the newspaper, officers opened an inquiry into possible offences related to evading restrictions on donations at the 2024 election.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed the force opened an inquiry in February 2025 after a referral by the Electoral Commission 'relating to donations made to a political party ahead of the 2024 UK general election'. Two people have been interviewed under caution and 'early investigative advice' has been sought from the Crown Prosecution Service, but no arrests have been made.
Ms Turley said: 'The British public know when they're being taken for fools – if Nigel Farage could clear his name, he would have done it by now.' A Reform UK spokesperson responded: 'The British people are tired of the establishment media doing anything they can to stop Reform. A daily routine of hit jobs and smears will not deter us from winning the next general election and fixing broken Britain. It's now clear that the establishment will try anything to stop us.'
