Nigel Farage has spoken for the first time since all major political parties dropped out of the by-election for his former Clacton-on-Sea constituency. The Reform UK leader's only prominent rival is a comedian dressed as a bin.
Farage's Record in Clacton
Clacton-on-Sea, a deprived Essex town, faces issues typical of British seaside towns: housing, vandalism, drugs, cuckooing, and county lines violence, coupled with a life expectancy up to 18 years lower than wealthier parts of the county. Asked what he had done for Clacton since becoming its MP, Farage told the BBC: 'I've done my absolute best to put it on the map in terms of tourism and visits. I know the road getting here is a pain but, actually, when you get here you've got great beaches.'
Pothole Pledge and Housing
Farage promised to prioritise fixing potholes after complaints some were 20 inches deep, and to halt housing developments opposed by locals. 'You give me a big vote and we'll continue our political revolution,' he told locals. 'If you don't do it then I think the establishment will just go on and go on working together in an attempt to crush a genuine chance at political change.'
Investigations and Controversies
Farage is being investigated by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner over whether he should have registered a £5 million gift from cryptocurrency tycoon Christopher Harborne, which he said was needed for security due to multiple threats. He also faces questions over support from George Cottrell, a convicted criminal. Asked why he did not declare benefits from Cottrell, Farage said: 'This is utterly spurious. I wasn't in politics. I was a broadcaster and an influencer and he helped me go out into the English Channel when the boats started to come, film that and make it into a public issue.' He described Cottrell as simply a Reform supporter.
Farage's Response to Critics
Farage told GB News: 'It seems that the media and political classes want to paint me out to be like a war criminal, as if everything I've ever done is wrong, is bent, is corrupt. I don't get a chance to properly answer it. I don't see why I should be judged by them. We'll ask the people here what they think, and if they give me a big endorsement, that sends a big message to the establishment.'
Count Binface and Other Candidates
Only Count Binface is willing to take on Farage in what he calls a 'fake and pathetic' by-election. Actor-turned-musician Laurence Fox announced he would stand against Farage, Count Binface, and Adham Alkhatip of the Forward Party. Count Binface conceded he will probably not win in Clacton, where Farage had a majority of 8,405 and 46.2% of the vote in 2024. Andy Burnham, expected to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister within weeks, defeated Count Binface in the Makerfield by-election last month, which saw him return to Westminster and effectively finish the Prime Minister's time in office. Burnham shared a picture with his masked rival, captioning it: 'Always worth knowing when bin day is.'
