A woman shouted an obscenity at Nigel Farage while driving in Clacton, then immediately crashed her car into the vehicle ahead. The Reform UK leader was canvassing in the Essex constituency when the incident occurred.
Instant karma, says Farage
Farage shared a video of the encounter on Facebook, writing: 'This lady shouted abuse at me and then crashed her own car. That’s what you might call instant karma!' He added that an Instagram user commented, 'God punishes some quicker than others.'
In the clip, a woman in a hatchback yells 'W*****' as she drives past Farage, who was shaking hands with supporters. Distracted, she rear-ends a car stopped at a traffic light. An aide is heard saying, 'She won’t do that again in a hurry.'
Farage's declining popularity
Farage's popularity has dropped since August 2025, with a recent poll showing him less liked than Sir Keir Starmer at the time of Starmer's resignation. The Reform UK leader has faced scrutiny over donations, including a £5 million 'gift' before the 2024 election.
Farage triggered a by-election in Clacton, framing it as a 'people versus the establishment' battle. However, all major parties boycotted the vote, calling it a 'stunt' and 'vanity project,' leaving novelty candidate Count Binface as his main opponent.
Previous incidents and security
In 2024, Farage was doused with a McDonald's banana milkshake outside a Clacton pub after announcing his candidacy. Reform UK MPs now receive round-the-clock security following the death of Ann Widdecombe, a party figure.
The by-election features a record 33 candidates, including three from the Official Monster Raving Loony Party and actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox. Farage's attempt to frame the contest as a 'people versus the establishment' showdown has been undermined by the boycott and the large field of opponents.
