When Nigel Farage resigned as an MP two weeks ago, he said it was because “the people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions”. But voters living in the seaside constituency – even those who support Farage – are less than thrilled about the prospect of a byelection.
In a focus group that The Observer was invited to attend, locals complained it was a “tragic waste of money” and that “it just makes us look silly”. Clacton has become “a comedy show”, said Rachel, a teaching assistant.
On Friday evening 34 candidates were confirmed to be standing in the election, including comedy candidates Count Binface and Nick the Incredible Flying Brick as well as actor Laurence Fox. No mainstream parties stood candidates. According to Tendring District Council it is the highest number of candidates to stand in a byelection in modern times.
National surveys are starting to indicate a shift in public attitude regarding Farage and Reform UK. A YouGov poll published last week showed that 73% of Britons think the party leader is “sleazy”, while 56% think he is “very sleazy”.
But in Clacton, the picture is more mixed. Back at the focus group, organised by pollsters More in Common, retiree Stephen said Farage was “a breath of fresh air”. Cheryl, a post officer, plans to vote for him on 13 August. “Hopefully, if he does get into power, he will actually finish what he says,” she said.
Mental health worker Dean, who believes Farage is using the byelection to fight against a standards investigation into the undeclared £5m he received from political donor Christopher Harborne, is less convinced. “In two years, what’s he done for Clacton? He’s a charlatan and a snake oil seller.”
Jake, who was recently made unemployed, agreed. “I personally don’t trust him. I think he let us down a road with Brexit. And I think how could someone change the country when he hasn’t even changed Clacton?”
This view is shared by many – but so is strong scepticism of the political class more generally. Carla, also a post officer, said: “Out of all of them, I like Farage’s views the best. And I think even now I’d probably still vote him back in only because who the hell is Binface? Everyone else… they don’t care for me as a worker really. He’s the only one that’s really trying to rein things in and make it better for working people.”
With regard to the £5m he received from Harborne, those who support Farage do not believe he has done anything wrong. “At the end of the day, it’s up to him if he declares it,” Cheryl said. “It’s nice to know why because I’m nosy, but it’s up to him.”
Stephen, the retiree, blamed the media for “feeling the need to bring it to everybody’s attention, and causing difficulty”. But he added: “If it’s a gift, it’s a gift. If it’s not a gift, that’s different. He should have declared it.”
Newsletters
Choose the newsletters you want to receive
View more
For information about how The Observer protects your data, read our Privacy Policy
What are your thoughts on this? Send us a letter to letters@observer.co.uk
Photograph by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images