Voters in Clacton are set to head to the polls once again in just over a week for a by-election that even Nigel Farage’s supporters admit didn’t need to happen.
Two years ago, the Reform UK leader beat incumbent Conservative MP Giles Watling in a landslide in the seaside town, entering the House of Commons at the eighth attempt, and bringing with him the hope that those with little track record can muster.
But the ever-controversial figure has come under a particularly strong tide of pressure recently after a slew of allegations of undeclared gifts and donations, as well as benefits he received from adviser George Cottrell, a convicted fraudster.
Mr Farage initiated the by-election in protest against the media and parliamentary scrutiny he was facing, in a move dubbed a “political tantrum” by Labour.
However, his approval rating has plummeted to the lowest since the 2024 general election, and some pollsters suggest his main rival Count Binface could get as much as 20 per cent of the vote.
But with two years’ experience as Clacton’s MP, many told The Independent that he won’t enjoy the same wave of enthusiasm he rode in on in 2024.
Phil Roberts, 81, voted for Mr Watling in 2024 and says Mr Farage hasn’t done enough to win him over since he was elected.
“I think most politicians now are only in it for their own benefit, not for the benefit of other people,” he said, adding he feels “angry” that money is being spent on an “unnecessary” by-election.
“I understand why Farage decided to do what he did, but I don’t actually think he’s right,” he said. “Maybe at the ballot box people will show their disapproval.”
He said he isn’t sure who he will vote for, but that he thinks it is “pathetic” that none of the major political parties entered a candidate: “It’s like the baby throws out its dummy into the street because it’s annoyed,” he said. “Whoever gets elected in Clacton, it won’t make an iota of difference to the country.”
Lesley Noakes, 66, has lived in Clacton for 25 years and is also an undecided voter, but said she is “not that keen” on Mr Farage.
“He said he was going to do things but nothing has changed,” she said. “All the time I’ve been here, nothing has changed.”
She said she has never seen Mr Farage around Clacton and called the by-election a “waste of time”.
Amy Smith, 37, said she has seen a lot of Reform campaigners in the area recently, but has not seen Mr Farage himself.
“I haven’t seen him much, to be honest,” she said. “There’s loads of talk and adverts around, but he isn’t really here.”
She added she believes Mr Farage “represents us in the wrong way”.
“I haven’t seen much investment,” she said when asked if the area had changed since the Reform leader’s election two years ago. “The community spirit is really good, but from politicians, not much has changed.”
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She said she wished the major political parties had “taken more interest” in the by-election. “Like anyone else we deserve a chance,” she said. “We have that stigma we can’t get rid of, the whole area. But like any other seaside town, we need facilities.”
The Reform UK leader’s main opposition in his own patch is the self-described “intergalactic space lord” Count Binface, who regularly runs as a satirical candidate in elections, including Andy Burnham’s in Makerfield. But Mr Roberts said he doesn’t see Binface as a serious candidate, and jokingly described anyone who votes for him “a bit loopy”.
I’m not sure about Farage. I’m not sure I can trust him
Denise Pinkcombe
If polls are accurate, there is a significant number of Count Binface voters out there – but finding them proved elusive. Out of dozens of street interviews, only one woman, who did not want to stop to talk, confessed that she and her husband would be crossing the ballot on the bin.
Some did suggest they might vote for Count Binface “as a joke”, but explained that what they really want to see is a candidate who is focused on improving the local area. Denise Pinkcombe, 61, said she had joked about backing him to her friend, but that she was concerned about “wasting” her vote.
“I’m not sure about Farage. I’m not sure I can trust him,” she said. “I want someone who will do something for the borough. Homelessness is a big problem here. When Andy Burnham started as prime minister and he said he wanted to stop homelessness, I thought that was good.”
Outstanding allegations swirling around Mr Farage’s finances, including claims he failed to declare a £5m gift from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne, hadn’t done much to settle voter’s doubts about him.
Ashley Scott, 35, from nearby Kirby Cross, said he believed Mr Farage hadn’t been honest and described it as a “red flag”: “I don’t really agree with anything going on,” he said.
Mr Scott said he usually votes but isn’t intending to next week and has been left feeling “lost” by none of the major parties standing.
“I think he is a waste of space,” he said of Mr Farage.
When asked if he had seen him around in the area, he said: “I saw him last week on the ferris wheel making some content,” he said. “But then before the place got busy he just got in his Range Rover.”
Not everyone has lost faith in Mr Farage. Larry Graham, 73, said Mr Farage has his vote “without any doubt”.
“He’s the only bloke that will get this country out of trouble,” he said. “If you vote for anybody else, we’re doomed.”
He admitted the by-election “didn’t have to happen” but said Mr Farage is “doing it for the people to show their support for him”.
“We’ve got to get rid of this government,” he added. “He’s the only one who is going to help us.”
