Labour, Tories, the Liberal Democrats, Greens and Restore Britain are all boycotting the by-election in Clacton triggered by Nigel Farage’s resigning, branding his announcement a gimmick and a stunt.
Political opponents accused the Reform UK leader of using a distraction technique as he faces questions over donations he has received.
Insisting he had done nothing wrong, the Reform UK leader said he would be fighting the by-election, giving voters a chance to “stick two fingers up to the establishment”.
A spokesperson for would-be PM Andy Burnham said: “This is a gimmick designed to distract from serious allegations about Farage’s funders.”
Sir Keir Starmer branded the move “a desperate stunt”, adding: “It’s obvious why he’s doing it – he is up to his neck in sleaze.”
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey called for all parties to boycott the by-election and for the government to block Mr Farage’s resignation until the Standards Commissioner finishes investigating him.
It has been reported that convicted criminal George Cottrell provided Mr Farage with funding for security and staffing before he was elected.
Mr Farage was already being investigated by the standards commissioner over a £5m gift he received from crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne.
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ICYMI: Jenrick admits two by-elections would be ‘utterly ridiculous’
Reform MP Robert Jenrick has admitted it would be “ridiculous” if two by-elections were held in Clacton should Nigel Farage win the seat again.
Parliament’s standards commissioner will suspend his investigation into Mr Farage’s finances once the by-election begins, but could reopen it should voters return the Reform UK leader to Parliament.
Asked about the possibility of two polls, Mr Jenrick said: “It would be utterly absurd, but so be it.
“If this has to go back to the people of Clacton another time, then bring it on but that would clearly be utterly ridiculous.
“Nigel has got the courage to put himself forward in this election to make his argument to his constituents in Clacton and ultimately to the country that it’s not for bureaucrats and the tired old leaders of the Labour Party and the Tory party and their acolytes in the media to determine who leads this country, it is for the people of this country. So that is what Nigel is doing in this by-election.”
Joe Middleton8 July 2026 06:00
‘He’ll win it’ – Clacton voters back Nigel Farage
Voters in Clacton-on-Sea have largely expressed support for Nigel Farage after he said he would stand down as the constituency’s MP to fight a by-election, 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.”
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.
Joe Middleton8 July 2026 05:00
ICYMI: Angry Nigel Farage quits as Reform MP to ‘stick two fingers up to the establishment’
Joe Middleton8 July 2026 04:00
ICYMI: Union chief blames Labour failures for rise of Reform
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This latest distraction from the everyday issues real people are facing will have workers and communities holding their head in their hands.
“Everyday people are hurting and this latest pantomime does nothing to ease their pain.
“Nigel Farage is certainly no friend of the working class. A privately educated former banker who moved from trading in the City to trading in fear.
“The rise of Reform and Restore is down to the non-delivery of Labour.
“It is now time for Labour to deliver. This latest diversion must not distract from that.”
Joe Middleton8 July 2026 03:00
ICYMI: Farage could face Greens, independents and Binface
After Labour, the Conservatives, Lib Dems and Restore Britain said they would boycott the by-election, it seems Mr Farage’s only opponents could be the Greens, Count Binface and any independent candidates.
A Green Party spokesman said it was a decision for local members in Clacton whether to put up a candidate “but we are a political party – we contest elections”.
Count Binface – who stands in elections to mock the political system – has appealed for residents in the constituency to nominate him.
Joe Middleton8 July 2026 02:00
ICYMI: Badenoch accuses Farage of running from scrutiny
Branding Mr Farage’s by-election “fake”, Kemi Badenoch said: “We will be standing a candidate in the real by-election, which will follow the standards investigation into Nigel Farage’s fishy finances.
“We will not be standing a candidate in the fake by-election that Farage is causing to distract people from what is happening.
“We need to let that investigation run its course, and I think the reason why Nigel Farage has resigned is because he’s terrified that he’s going to be found to have done something wrong.”
She said he should have explained what he did with the money and apologise if need be.
“Instead, he has been running away from scrutiny. No one is bigger than Parliament. We all have to register our interests.”
Joe Middleton8 July 2026 01:00
Watch: Last ditch battle to save Farage, Reform, and Brexit
Joe Middleton7 July 2026 23:59