Nigel Farage has won backing from voters in Clacton after announcing on Tuesday that he will step down as an MP, while insisting he will run in the by-election.
One voter in Farage’s constituency of Clacton-on-Sea described Farage as a “shining light”, while another said losing him would mean losing “all hope”.
The Reform UK leader said the by-election contest would be a “people versus the establishment” battle, telling voters “the people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions.”
Farage’s announcement comes as he faces scrutiny over his personal finances after The Sunday Times reported he did not declare benefits including staff and security support from his long-time ally George Cottrell.
He has also faced questions over a £5 million gift from businessman Christopher Harborne in 2024 which was not registered.
Farage has denied any wrongdoing, insisting he has “done nothing wrong” and has “not broken the law in any way at all.”
Voters largely expressed their support for Nigel Farage today, although one resident said people have “had enough of all this politics”.
Retired nursery nurse Janet Simpson, who was in the Essex town centre on Tuesday, said: “I think it’ll just tick people off basically because they’ve had enough of all this politics, and Andy Burnham and Starmer, and people have just had enough.
“And I think they’re all wings of the same bird.”
The 73-year-old from Clacton continued: “They’re all wings of the same bird, politicians.
“I just don’t know, I really don’t know, I just think it seems like he’s sort of trying to clear his name a bit, is he?
“Well good for him if that’s what he’s trying to do, but I prefer Rupert Lowe.”
Mr Lowe is the leader of Restore Britain, the party he set up after his public falling out with Mr Farage and Reform, for whom he was elected Great Yarmouth MP.
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Mr Lowe has said Restore will not stand a candidate in the by-election.
Constituent Wayne Adams, who was at Clacton seafront, said of the by-election: “If Farage is going to do that for the people then I’m backing him and so are a lot of people.”
The 60-year-old, who is ex-military, said: “As far as I’m concerned I like the man’s views, I like what he says.”
A man who gave his name only as John said he believed Mr Farage would win back his seat.
“He’ll win it,” the 71-year-old, who worked in sales for a car firm, said.
“He says what everybody round here thinks.
“We’re sick to the back teeth with what’s going on with the immigration and everything else.
“It’s just the numbers, the country can’t afford it.
“Everybody gets on the bandwagon saying ‘you’re racist, you’re this’ – you just can’t do with the numbers.”
John said he used to vote Conservative.
“There’s so many other wrong things going on in the country that they have to pick on someone that’s trying to do right for the country and it’s a crying shame that he’s stood down, to be honest with you,” he said.
“It’s just ridiculous, to be honest with you.”
John said he would vote for Mr Farage in the by-election, adding: “Nigel for me is a shining light.
“We lose him, all hope is gone.”
His wife, Chris, 71, who worked in finance, said of Mr Farage: “We support him, we do support him.
“Since he’s been here we have noticed a difference.
“Something goes on and he’s here. He is a presence.
“People say ‘oh I never see him’, but he is a presence.”
A woman who did not give her name said, when asked if Mr Farage would win the by-election: “Of course he will.”
“He’ll be back anyway,” she said.
“This is all a publicity stunt. They’re playing games.”
She said she had met Mr Farage and he was “a nice bloke”.