Farage resigns as Clacton MP and will contest the by-election

[Twiglets1]

Nigel Farage is resigning as MP for Clacton, triggering a by-election in the constituency - which he will stand in.

He says he wants the people of Clacton to decide whether he is worthy of representing them - not the mainstream media who he feels constantly attack him personally as well as the party he represents.

“The majority of the Country likes”? Dream on!

Ok, well how about, say £5m vs £250k.

Prick.

(I have nothing of substance to add to this discussion!)

Because he's a lying, untrustworthy charlatan? I mean, he stood down his Brexit party MPs to help the Tories, filled his party with ex-Tories, and thinks the electorate (or a tiny part of it) should use the ballot box to 'send a message to the Establishment'.

What message? We don't like political leaders subjected to proper s rutiny?

The Establishment? He's been part of it his entire life!

Funny how he now wants the electorate to have a say when he's not asked or expected any of his ex-Tory MPs to hold a by-election when they defected.

Hypocritical charlatan.

Do I think many of the others are phenomenal politicians? No. Do I think he's better than the others? No, he's far worse.

So given the profile of Clacton its looks like the greatest chance of keeping Farage out will be a conservative candidate.

Clacton Constituency Election Results (2010–2024)

• 2024 General Election
• Winner: Nigel Farage (Reform UK)
• Majority: 8,405 votes (18.3% margin)
• 2019 General Election
• Winner: Giles Watling (Conservative)
• Majority: 24,702 votes (53.6% margin)
• 2017 General Election
• Winner: Giles Watling (Conservative)
• Majority: 15,828 votes (36.6% margin)
• 2015 General Election
• Winner: Douglas Carswell (UKIP)
• Majority: 3,437 votes (7.8% margin)
• 2014 By-Election
• Winner: Douglas Carswell (UKIP)
• Majority: 12,404 votes (35.1% margin)
• 2010 General Election
• Winner: Douglas Carswell (Conservative)
• Majority: 12,068 votes (28.1% margin)

It also isn't just the one reform by-election. Since they gained council seats, an enormous number of elected members have resigned or been removed, meaning more by-election costs. LA by-elections may be cheaper but they add up when there are 30+ of them.

I don't think it would sway the vote much even if the Torys could put an anti-corruption candidate up against him.

I think most Reform voters will be voting predominantly on one issue - immigration - and allegations of corruption are so common now amongst political leaders that they don't carry the same weight they once did.

I could be wrong and if so there will be a big swing away from Reform in Clacton but personally, I would be surprised to see that.

Or Restore. They’re big on the East coast.

I loathe the man but this is something of a master stroke.

The Tories certainly couldn't put up an anti-corruption candidate. No, it has to be a Martin Bell style neutral.

It is interesting. Possibly a master stroke, as long as he wins.

Then again if he loses he may feel thank God no more visits to Clacton.

How though? If he wins, which he probably will, he will be in the same position as he is now.

My feeling is they need to put up a very strong, very popular candidate to have any chance of winning. Do they have anyone like that though 😂

I listened to his rubbish press conference on LBC. Whining as usual and making things up. He said a mob came into his local pub and followed him out, where they then proceeded to write off his car. Of course this claim can be verified by his insurers. Oh no. Slimy Nigel said he didn't claim on his insurance. Yeah, right. He's been getting bullshit tips from the orange monster.

I'm a fan of neither but it would be hilarious if Lowe got a Restore candidate that could win there.

I don't think the Conservatives could do well enough to unseat him, but Restore seems similar enough, and perhaps the constituents would like to give Farage a bloody nose for taking the piss.

Looking at the past votes Labour, Libdem etc. wouldn't stand a chance.

How would re-election in Clacton enable Farage to force an early GE?

He's done a brilliant job of drawing attention to this story though. Well done, Nigel 😄

Yes but so was Makerfield

Two wrongs don’t make a right.

He has succeeded in that at least. I had no idea before today that The Times had published an image of his (non political) daughter's private residence.

That's not on, whether you like or loath him.

The Mayoral election is more expensive.
He was the mayor for Greater Manchester and the PCC.

What about the voters of Makerfield who picked a Labour MP but then were used as pawns for the advancement of Andy "Eyelashes" Burnham ? (Who didn't even run on a Labour ticket ! )

I don't see anyone get their knickers in a twist about that. 🙄

Because he’ll be able to argue that he has a stronger mandate and that he is what the country needs because ‘the people have spoken’.
And if he loses, as others have said, he’ll make out that it was a mainstream media/left-wing conspiracy.
Either way, he wins.

Right, I'm trying fast to catch up with all this!!

Just assuming he lost the seat, can he still be the leader of Reform?, but he wouldn't be an MP, so no longer able to be the next PM??
Is that right?

But even that was a lie. He said he's never been photographed outside said house and it been in the papers before when you can do a Google search to find out that's totally untrue. There are several such photos.

Presumably although his daughter lives there, he actually owns the house...one of his five.