Farage has resigned as an MP for Clacton?

No, I don't believe it will reset the clock. It will be paused, then continue if he 's re-elected.

I also think there is a real prospect of success for Count Binface. He has the intelligence to follow through- and seemingly is willing to do so. He may even hold clacton constituency surgeries and make himself available to his constituents- something Farage has. not done. A win for Clacton.

A win for Count BF would be democracy at work and as a result of Clacton's residents' choice exactly as Farage said yesterday he wanted .

Farage has ignored Clacton since he won the seat. He has not held a single surgery for his constituents, claiming security issues. Remember he was given £5 million to pay for security, he says. I doubt that many of his constituents have a good word to say about him.

Count Binface is an Oxford graduate who is a comedy writer. Clacton could do worse .

I would think that Binface has a good chance of winning. Farage's majority is only 8,405. If those supporting the other parties vote for Binface and there is a movement from Farage to Binface. Farage has not been a good constituency MP, so there are going to be quite a number of disgruntle Reform voters wanting to move elsewhere.

Count Binface has just been interviewed on the BBC News…it’s pure pantomime. Farage must hate being such a figure of fun…

Just finished watching PMQs. Fragae's stunt did not come up until the end by Daisy Cooper- rightly so as it's not a priority for the country in any shape or form.

Copper raised roars of laughter from both sides of the bench re how Farage has ridiculed himself. She concluded- that she was sure the whole house will agree the by election is a 2 horse race that is Binface versus Farage! roars of laughter again.....

Thank you for this mornings whoops afternoon laugh out loudLemonjam

"Asked what his appeal will be to the people of Clacton, he told the Today programme: "Well, I'm not Nigel Farage.”

Pick me off the floor please.

From the BBC- ‘Comedian Jon Harvey, who regularly runs in by-elections under the pseudonym Count Binface, has confirmed he will run. Asked what his appeal will be to the people of Clacton, he told the Today programme: "Well, I'm not Nigel Farage.”

He said he will tailor his manifesto to the constituency, but his national policies remain. He said these include a pledge to "price cap 99 Flakes at 99p", adding: "I think the Clacton folk will like that one."

Come on people of Clacton- give Count Binface your vote - you wont be any worse off than you are now after all!

Price capping 99 flakes at 99p will be wonderful for the local economy. If JH/Count Binface is voted in I pledge to drive to Clacton (nearly 200 mile round trip) to buy a 99 and meet any other Gransnet posters there too! 😂😎🤞🍦🍦

I would love to see him perform well.

Look at Zelensky's background and how he had lead his country.

As far as I know, the only candidates standing are Count Binface. the MRLP and Lozza Fox.

If you read Jon Harvey's CV (Binface), he's a smart chap who could make a decent MP were he to be elected:

ebdonmgt.com/actor/jon-harvey/comedy

His credits include Yes, Minister and In The Thick Of It.

Even the right wing Telegraph reports "Nigel Farage’s by-election stunt has descended into farce. Labour, the Tories and Restore have said they will refuse to stand in Clacton, leaving the Reform leader alone on a ballot against novelty candidates".

DaisyAnneReturns

Too many pages to read through so apologies if I'm repeating something already said.

It is, apparently, possible to stop the resignation and maintain Parliament's ability to hold its members accountable. There is a respectable argument that allowing the investigation to reach a conclusion before the resignation takes effect would protect public confidence in Parliament.

Thats also my understanding. On the one hand thats sensible and reasonable.

On the other hand it plays into Farage's statement yesterday that he is a victim and the establishment is out to get him.

On balance I would let him plough his furrow and resume Harborne/NCA concern investigation afterwards and add Cottrell investigation. But it's a fine balance.

I for one would not call into question my confidence in Parliament if it allows Farage to go ahead in an uncontested by election but I can understand others might. Of course Farage understands all this and factors his spin arguments into his "media statements" and actions either way.

To expand on that, Maizie.

Technically, an MP cannot resign. They must apply for one of two unpaid stewardships from the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Those are: Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds and of the Manor of Northstead.

In 1842, the government refused to allow Viscount Chelsea to resign his seat because there were strong suspicions that the subsequent by-election was being manipulated.

So it’s up to Rachel Reeves to accept or deny. Even if she accepts, the next stage would be for Reform’s chief whip (Lee Anderson?) to “move a writ” to ask for a by-election - which the House of Commons must vote on. They could vote against it.

It can happen, especially if a general election is imminent. Assuming Burnham becomes PM, we don’t know what he might do. He could decide to call a snap election to get a five year mandate. In that case the House of Commons could deny the writ and leave the Clacton seat empty.

I doubt the constituents would be any worse off than they are now with an MP who had largely ignored them for two years.

I can’t be the only one who guffawed when Farage started his speech yesterday with:

… have to say the last two years I've really enjoyed the job of being an MP. The people, the constituency, it's an office that I genuinely, genuinely adore.

I wonder what he genuinely, genuinely adores? Is it being paid almost £100,000 a year for doing very little?

What a sham he is.

Giles Watling, who held the seat for five years from 2019 has said he would be willing to stand again.

Previous results:

In 2010, (Clacton was a new seat) Douglas Carswell won for the Tories on 53%.

In 2014, after Douglas Carswell defected to UKiP, he was reelected on 59% in the by-election.

In 2015, Douglas Carswell was reelected on 44%, with Giles Watling for the Tories on 37%

In 2019, Giles Watling won for the Tories on 72%.

In 2024, Farage won for Reform on 49% from Giles Watling on 28%. Labour were on 16%, Lib Dems and Green taking 9% in total.

I believe Watling was a decent constituency MP. If other parties stood aside in a GE, I could see him retaking the seat for the Tories.

DaisyAnneReturns

Too many pages to read through so apologies if I'm repeating something already said.

It is, apparently, possible to stop the resignation and maintain Parliament's ability to hold its members accountable. There is a respectable argument that allowing the investigation to reach a conclusion before the resignation takes effect would protect public confidence in Parliament.

The resignation of an MP takes the form of the MP asking the Chancellor if they can apply to the Chiltern Hundreds (or another 'seat' I've forgotten the name of). The Chancellor has to grant permission for this move. If they don't the MP remains as MP for the constituency that elected them.

Also, a writ has to be moved and voted on in Parliament to approve the holding of a by election. I understand that the timing of this is up to Parliament. So Farage could be left hanging on for his by election for weeks and weeks..

Resigning isn't straightforward, though usually the actions needed are a mere formality.

Lemonjam nicely put, though although my head says Starmer “needs” replacing, my heart feels Starmer has been treated badly and I hope AB has the country and the LP first and foremost in his heart and head, not just his own personal ambitions.

I hope he pulls both the LP and our country together and continues the good, positive work started by Starmer, which many refuse to recognise.

Whether you support the L Party or not- at least there will be a government, with a PM who believes in public service as set out in the Nolan Principles, and will lead a cabinet adhering to the expected standards of public office. There is sufficient talent available to constitute a cabinet and give government a good shot, in these difficult times, for 3 years.

In comparison Farage disdains parliamentary rules, is not committed to standards of behaviour in public office or the Nolan Principles and Reform does not have the experience or expertise to form a government, in these difficult times. No comparison.

GrannyGravy13

I am just dismayed and thoroughly disappointed by this, and the Andy Burnham coronation

What is going on with politics in the U.K. and across the world.

To support Count Binface is just adding to the mockery…

Farage is always a disappointment for me son an ongoing basis. He does not see his constituency, is more interested in lining his packets to huge £million sums.

A default "coronation " of AB is precisely that, ie no other contenders have come forward for a leadership vote beside him. That is most likely because all contenders can red the room and know their favourable poll ratings are much lower than AB who has the highest public favourability ratings of any politician across all UK political parties. On the balance of probability they know that AB would win the vote and meanwhile they have exposed and positioned themselves as a competitor.

All potential contenders instead. are more likely to want a place in his cabinet so are seeking to build alliances with him- rather that lose the leadership vote and lose the chance of a role in his cabinet.

This is the political reality and I don't have a problem with that.

I would love to see the good people of Clacton vote. for BinFace or any other independent candidate- that definitely would make a wonderful mockery of Farage's statement about my political future yesterday! More fool Farage for being so pompous.

greyfur

Farage has done huge, huge harm to this country. His ghastly propaganda machine has a lot to answer for.

We should never have left the EU. Shameful.

👍👍👏👏

Casdon

I think it is Farage who was attempting to make a mockery of parliamentary rules, and it is a responsible action of the other parties to not stand, and therefore not allow him to manipulate the rules to avoid scrutiny. I don’t like the Andy Burnham situation, but it was legal and not a scrutiny issue.

👍👍👏👏

Farage has done huge, huge harm to this country. His ghastly propaganda machine has a lot to answer for.

We should never have left the EU. Shameful.

Too many pages to read through so apologies if I'm repeating something already said.

It is, apparently, possible to stop the resignation and maintain Parliament's ability to hold its members accountable. There is a respectable argument that allowing the investigation to reach a conclusion before the resignation takes effect would protect public confidence in Parliament.

I think it is Farage who was attempting to make a mockery of parliamentary rules, and it is a responsible action of the other parties to not stand, and therefore not allow him to manipulate the rules to avoid scrutiny. I don’t like the Andy Burnham situation, but it was legal and not a scrutiny issue.

I am just dismayed and thoroughly disappointed by this, and the Andy Burnham coronation

What is going on with politics in the U.K. and across the world.

To support Count Binface is just adding to the mockery…

Who else will be rooting for Count Binface?