Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleNigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, announced his resignation as an MP to trigger a by-election in his Clacton-on-Sea constituency, stating it would allow voters to challenge the establishment. His political opponents have criticised this move as a "gimmick" and a "desperate stunt" designed to divert attention from ongoing questions regarding donations he has received. Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservatives, declared that her party would not field a candidate in what she termed a "fake" by-election, suggesting Farage's resignation is an attempt to escape scrutiny over his finances. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged the government to prevent the by-election from proceeding until a standards investigation into Farage's conduct is concluded, advocating for other parties to stand aside if it goes ahead. Labour figures, including a spokesperson for Andy Burnham and Sir Keir Starmer, echoed these sentiments, accusing Farage of being "up to his neck in sleaze" and using the by-election as a distraction from serious allegations. In fullNigel Farage latest: Reform leader’s resignation branded ‘desperate stunt’ as Tories refuse to stand in by-electionMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Backlash mounts over Farage’s ‘fake’ by-election in Clacton – what we know
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleNigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, announced his resignation as an MP to trigger a by-election in his Clacton-on-Sea constituency, stating it would allow voters to challenge the establishment. His political opponents have criticised this move as a "gimmick" and a "desperate stunt" designed to divert attention from ongoing questions regarding donations he has received. Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservatives, declared that her party would not field a candidate in what she termed a "fake" by-election, suggesting Farage's resignation is an attempt to escape scrutiny over his finances. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged the government to prevent the by-election from proceeding until a standards investigation into Farage's conduct is concluded, advocating for other parties to stand aside if it goes ahead. Labour figures, including a spokesperson for Andy Burnham and Sir Keir Starmer, echoed these sentiments, accusing Farage of being "up to his neck in sleaze" and using the by-election as a distraction from serious allegations. In fullNigel Farage latest: Reform leader’s resignation branded ‘desperate stunt’ as Tories refuse to stand in by-electionMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
