Clacton by-election

MaizieD

^I've lived in many different places and never had any contact with any MP from any party.^

There are about 73.000 registered voters in a UK constituency. Do you seriously think that a local MP should contact every single one of them?

How much interest do you take in your local MPs? Do you follow on social media? Follow what they do in Parliament? Have you contacted one to help you with a problem? Written to them to ask them to vote for or against something in a parliamentary vote?

If you've not done any of those things you're not really in a position to judge them on how they interact with their constituents, are you?

👍👍👏👏

Btw, I also take an interest in our local politics, I know several councillors and whom to contact if I need help or information.

I’ve met my current MP face to face, once when he knocked on my door in the 2024 canvassing and once earlier this year at an event.

I follow both local and national politics on several social media sites.

I was brought up to have an interest in politics and three of our adult children have a similar ethos (though different parties)

Farage is interested in one thing and one thing only and that is himself. If he really cared he would be down in his office doing regular surgeries and attending votes in Parliament, in the same way that he would have stood up for the fishermen when an MEP ,.Other MPs get threats, in fact I would not be surprised to hear that they all do,but that does not stop them from doing what they get paid for.
I am sure that there was a lot of research went on before ~Clacton was chosen as Farage's little home from home, easy to do these days.
The other parties have done the right thing not entering into the end of the pier show. Farage should be pleased to know that he will be sharing all the extra air time with Count Binface. By the way I thought the latter's interview on Today this morning was quite delightful.
Maizie ?D thank you for your reminder that we really can't complain about not hearing from our MP if we do not contact them.

I entirely agree Cossy and MaizieD.

Earlier post Q "How do you know all about what Farage does or doesn't do in Clacton? Do you track his every move?"

No I have better things do! 😊

It's a matter of public record. Farage himself has said on record he does not hold mP constituency surgeries in Clacton as he does not feel safe. This is even in the context he has received large £sums, in excess £5million, he said, at one. stage, is to pay for his private security. Additionally is also entitled to state funded security to hold MP surgeries- as are all MPs.

The risk of holding an MP surgery is exactly the same for Frarage as it is for other MPs- he is not special. To have in excess £5million cash to fund personal security is exceptional however- no other MP has been given this colossal sum for such a purpose. Yet still Farage refuses to serve his constituents and hold surgeries for Clacton residents

FriedGreenTomatoes2

“ however neutral the official bit of the process is, in the end the rulings have to go through a parliamentary vote in a Commons where Labour has a massive majority. I can understand Farage’s reservations”

This.

Are you suggesting the LP are corrupt enough to attempt to reverse a ruling with which they may not agree?

I think it’s simply a case of procedure to put it through via Parliament.

The ruling itself has cross party MPs and lay-people on it, perhaps you feel this too is corrupt?

Meant to post that on the other thread 🥱

Trying not to think about Count Binface being the only one standing against Farage and winning!!!

It’s all the drama Mick, I just love it!

It’s happening. Rachel Reeves has granted permission:
“It is a farce and a desperate distraction, and the people of Clacton deserve better.
"But if he wants to spend the summer arguing with a bin, I won't stop him."

Smileless2012

Trying not to think about Count Binface being the only one standing against Farage and winning!!!

It won’t happen!

Casdon

It’s happening. Rachel Reeves has granted permission:
“It is a farce and a desperate distraction, and the people of Clacton deserve better.
"But if he wants to spend the summer arguing with a bin, I won't stop him."

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

This is not original but IMO sums up the whole situation better than most.
Nigel Farage thought he was playing a masterstroke by calling a by-election in Clacton to halt the parliamentary standards investigation into his undeclared political bungs from an overseas crypto dealer and a convicted criminal.
He intended to cast himself as the poor innocent victim up against the establishment order.
Now that the other parties have declared that they're not participating in Farage's publicity stunt of a by-election, it looks like Farage's main challenger will be Count Binface
Behind the silly costume, Binface is actually quite politically astute, and he's certain to do his research and come out with stinging viral criticisms of Farage's dodgy dealings.
And if Farage's intention was to dodge scrutiny of his shady financial dealings, it's already backfired, because he's going to have to face the media questions during his by-election, and he'll look like an absolute coward if he goes into hiding, and refuses to do head-to-head debates with Binface
And even with Farage's amount of brass neck, he's going to seriously struggle to convince people that he's the plucky everyman political outsider, and a man with a bin on his head is a tool of the establishment order
The people of Clacton now have the opportunity to do the funniest thing since Hartlepool kept electing Hangus the Monkey as their mayor until the government scrapped the position to stop them.

BBC: "Have you ever been to Clacton?"

Count Binface: "No, because I understand from the current incumbent that is part of how you do the job."

The campaign is going to be fun.

14:04LemonJam

How can you quote me and say you meant to post on another thread I've not been on mmm

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BBC: "Have you ever been to Clacton?"

Count Binface: "No, because I understand from the current incumbent that is part of how you do the job."

The campaign is going to be fun.

I’m liking Binface more and more!!

15:19Cossy

Are you going to follow him as well 😀

It sounds as though Farage has taken on more than he bargained for. Binface could make him very uncomfortable.

Sunshinegirls

15:19Cossy

Are you going to follow him as well 😀

Quite possibly! He sounds amusing and I’d love to know more about him.

Not in a stalky way, I don’t drive around Clacton looking for Farage, though I’m aware of two places he socialising in, I won’t be visiting them, I have no desire to see him and if he’s there privately enjoying his leisure time then that’s entirely his business 🙂🙂

Graphite

BBC: "Have you ever been to Clacton?"

Count Binface: "No, because I understand from the current incumbent that is part of how you do the job."

The campaign is going to be fun.

Have you quoted Count Binface accurately there?

It would surely make more sense if he'd said:

"No because I understand from the current incumbent that *isn't* how you do the job"

Or perhaps I'm not good at comprehension

I read it as part of doing the job was not going to Clacton?

Smileless2012

Trying not to think about Count Binface being the only one standing against Farage and winning!!!

I actually love that idea.

You know, I don't know a thing about him, whether he is an intelligent man or not (though I think comedians do tend to be), but if he is, he might well make a better MP than lots of those already representing us.

What's more, if he actually did want to be an MP (unlikely) and went about seriously promoting himself in Clacton, I can almost imagine a scenario where he could win this particular election and completely humiliated Farage.

A girl can dream, can't she?

I just saw a good one mimicking the voting form, put your cross in the box..

Reform

Refuse ❌

AGAA4

I read it as part of doing the job was not going to Clacton?

Me too

FriedGreenTomatoes, any ruling by the Parliamentary Standards committee will be published.
If there has been wrongdoing, then reference will be made to the relevant breaches of conduct. All will be open to public scrutiny.
In my career, I was accountable to my professional body, as is my GP, and my solicitor.
None of us has any say in the constituency of our professional bodies.