‘We love you, Nigel!’ In Clacton-on-Sea, there is little sign that the Reform leader’s star has waned. Campaigning with Farage here is a burst of cackles, quips, nicotine and selfies: a march through sun-kissed streets with a cast of canvassers, aides and minders.
A child clasping a teddy bear dances around, Reform’s rosette pinned to her top; a groaning assistant clutches two dozen poster boards. On the doors in Seawick, there is near-universal support, with variations on the theme which Farage has made his campaign slogan: ‘I’m with Nigel.’
In the middle of silly season, Clacton is hosting one of Britain’s most bizarre by-elections. Amid a barrage of unfavourable stories about financial gifts and past support, Farage quit parliament last month, saying it was for voters to judge his actions rather than journalists.
He wanted a proper contest – yet the Tories, Labour and Lib Dems all refused to play ball. They argue he will soon face a second by-election anyway, via the parliamentary watchdog. Farage now faces joke candidates: Count Binface, three Monster Raving Loonies and the actor Laurence Fox. In SW1 he may face ridicule – but here in Essex, he is embraced.
‘I don’t dump trusted friends unless they betray me – it’s as simple as that’
