Clacton locals tell us what they really think of Nigel Farage’s shock resignation as MP | Politics | News
Locals have reacted after Nigel Farage resigned as Clacton MP (Image: Getty)
Clacton-on-Sea residents are shocked following Nigel Farage’s resignation as MP, with one dubbing the situation a “witch hunt”. The Reform UK leader announced that he was standing down on Tuesday, triggering a by-election which he will stand in.
It comes amid mounting pressure on Mr Farage who is accused of failing to declare a ยฃ5 million gift from Thailand-based crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne ahead of his election as Clacton MP. He also faces a second parliamentary standards investigation into claims he failed to declare benefits-in-kind from convicted criminal George Cottrell. People in Clacton have now reacted to the news, with some doubling down on their support for the Reform leader.
Local Andy wasn’t impressed by the decision (Image: Express)
Robert Henderson, 80, tells the Daily Express: “There must be a problem there. He wouldn’t resign unless there was something wrong. It’s a big thing now as some people will think he’s corrupt. I will vote for him again though and I think he’ll get in again here. But what will the other people in the country think?”
Meanwhile, 73-year-old Alan Jones describes the situation as a “witch hunt”. He adds: “They did the same with Trump. You find that people in power, they dig up things about their past.”
After being asked if he would vote for Mr Farage again, he says: “I’ll definitely vote for him again as he’s been popular here. The people like him and like the party.”
Alan Jones describes the situation as a ‘witch hunt’ (Image: Toby Codd)
Other locals saw the resignation coming following the allegations against Mr Farage. Phillip Cronan, 69, described his announcement as “disappointing” but believes the Reform leader “has done something wrong”.
He explains: “It’s disappointing to hear but I think Zia Yusuf should be the new leader. It’s obvious Farage has done something wrong. He wouldn’t have resigned otherwise.
When asked if he would vote for him again, Mr Cronan replies: “I wouldn’t vote for him again, no.”
Chris Thompson, 63, agrees: “I thought he might resign or something because he’s been backed into a corner.” He adds: “I was initially surprised when he came to Clacton. It was just an opportunity initially to get the votes.”
Brian Carrington, 65, and Dianna Carrington, 64 (Image: Express)
Others were pleased to hear that he was resigning but don’t agree with him standing again. They believe the by-election is a political move rather than an act of principle.
Brian Carrington, 65, says: “I was very happy to hear he was resigning but disappointed to hear that he was standing again. I would like him to resign, go away and never come back. But he’s an opportunist and that’s what he’s all about.”
Dianna Carrington, 64, agrees: “I had a very similar reaction. I thought to myself: ‘I can’t believe he’s doing this’. But I think he’s just playing the system, from what I can see. It’s a political play.”
Local Andy, who didn’t give his surname, said: “I think it’s theatre. It’s theatre. It’s a circus – it doesn’t bother me and I think it’s all a load of rubbish. I wouldn’t believe anybody as none of the politicians do anything worthwhile.”
