Rivals to boycott UK by-election as Farage stands again
Populist UK Reform Party leader Nigel Farage’s gamble to trigger an election for his own parliamentary seat could mean the only opponent he faces during the campaign will be a comedy candidate with a bin on his head.
Farage, 62, who is under parliamentary investigation over multimillion-pound gifts from wealthy supporters, said he wanted voters in his constituency of Clacton in south-east England to judge his actions, not what he described as a progressive “establishment” bent on discrediting him.
Many voters in the seaside town famous for its Victorian pleasure pier said they supported Farage regardless of the gifts he received, although they were confused about the reason for the new election.
“Why are they discussing this?” Pensioner Rosina Herriott, 78, added that all politicians received gifts.
“It’s because of him. They’re afraid of him, that’s what happens.”
Farage, whose party has been at the top of the polls for more than a year, resigned as an MP on Tuesday to trigger a by-election.
He said the parliamentary standards committee investigating him was being used as a “political tool” by those who feared the election threat he posed.
He denied any wrongdoing.
But in the hours following his announcement, all the major political parties said they would not take part in the Clacton vote, describing it as an “indicator” designed to divert attention from his financial issue.
Voters in Clacton, a holiday destination for Londoners in the early 20th century but now a retirement spot surrounded by static mobile home parks, mostly defended Farage, saying he was the only politician they trusted on immigration, a major concern for UK voters.
Office worker Zoe Banks, 53, said she had no problem with the gift Farage received as long as it was legal and she believed he was being attacked by the political establishment.
“He’s going to walk,” he said of the vote.
“I might actually vote for him this time… if he didn’t break any rules.”
But bus driver Ray Lynaugh, 54, disagrees.
“I dislike this guy immensely,” he told Reuters.
“What he represents, what he has done to the country. He is self-serving, self-centered.”
“I don’t know why people are voting for him.”
In the last elections held in July 2024, Reform won 46 percent of the vote, just ahead of the second-place Conservative Party with 28 percent.
With the main parties boycotting the contest, Farage’s most high-profile rival is likely to be masked novelty candidate Count Binface.
Count Binface admitted he probably wouldn’t win at Clacton.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “My job is to celebrate and defend the wonders of British democracy.
“And look at this, huh? The fact that you’re interviewing me on the Today show because all the other parties aren’t standing says more about them than about me.”
“Are they afraid of old Binny, or do they think Nigel is pulling a cunning trick? And I said it carefully at 8.55am.”
via Reuters
