Clacton by-election

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.

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."

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Smileless2012

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

It won’t happen!

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."

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

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

Meant to post that on the other thread 🥱

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?

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

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.

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)

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?

👍👍👏👏

Sunshinegirls

Count BinFace represents the establishment 😀 sounds about right, the so called UniParty, fancy Kemi joining forces with Lab and the LimpDems and Greens she won't be getting my vote ever again. Also funny how the UniParty say they will take part in the next by election in the Autumn do they have insider knowledge or is it all part of the witch hunt/stitch up mmmm.

I heard Ed Davey on the radio today.

He was very clear that there was zero collusion between him and and any other of the three party leaders, Tory, Green and Labour, and that all four of them decided individually and independently not to take part in the unnecessary by-election.

His reasons appeared clear and genuine 1) by-elections cost hard cash to stand in, he feels it’s wasted money because the results are very likely to be the same as before, 2) he feels that the ethics committee should run its course and reach a conclusion, 3) He refuses to involve himself or his party in theatrical politics.

Sunshinegirls

11:13Cossy

How do you know all about what Farage does or doesn't do in Clacton? Do you track his everymove?

What do other MPs do I've never had any contact with mine only when it's a General Election and she sends me a letter. What does Angela Raynor do for her constituency seeing as she cashed out her money from her family home and did a chicken run to Brighton.

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

Firstly, I do have contact from
my current MP, I get a monthly newsletter from him, along with everyone else in our constituency. He also runs surgeries and attends many local events, as did his predecessors.

Secondly, I spend the majority of my weekends in St. Osyth, in Farage’s constituency, and have friends in Frinton, also within his constituency.

Thirdly, I can read, so can see how many votes my own, or any other MP attends in the HoC.

I can also use Google and see how many times Farage is out of the country.

I follow politics on a regular basis, at least weekly, so have a pretty good idea about what many MPs are up to.

It’s very easy to find out about the public life of an MP, including their other jobs and their financial interest. They are a matter of public interest and the details are published for all to see.

I have zero interest in Farage, or any other MPs private lives, nor where they own other properties, including Rayner, whom you’ve just stated misinformation about. Her primary residence, and where she’s registered on the Election role, is in her constituency, of Ashton-under-Lyne, she runs regular surgeries and her constituency members can book 1-2-1 appointments with her, this is pretty normal for the majority of our MPs, regardless of their chosen political parties.

It’s all out there for us all to read, if we choose.

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?

Meandrogrog

Cossy

FriedGreenTomatoes2

I don’t regard this as a ‘waste of money’ *Maw. It’s about validation. The main stream parties have imploded with their inability to lead the country. They have constantly ignored what voters want, trashed their own manifestos or, as this Labour government has, completely deceived the electorate.

We want change writ large and Reform are the only party offering that. We no longer care about the dates of when money should have been declared or Parliamentary rules.

Parliament is in disarray. It no longer represents the people and that's its core point of existence. We all know that Nigel isn't going to be found 'not guilty' by the way they treat him and Reform in Parliament, we've seen it with our own eyes.

This is Brexit all over again, same establishment, same Nigel, only this time we're fighting for the country.

In your opinion, FGT, many of us on here and throughout the country simply may not agree with you.

Many of us may not feel Labour deceived us, we may feel we were constantly deceived by Tories for 14 years.

If our electorate feels as you state, and have done so for years, why is Farage not our PM?

I 100% agree with you FGT. your summing up is excellent.

Can you please tell me what Farage is going to do to make this country a better place? What are the policies that are going to bring about such a change? What is their great vision?

Count BinFace represents the establishment 😀 sounds about right, the so called UniParty, fancy Kemi joining forces with Lab and the LimpDems and Greens she won't be getting my vote ever again. Also funny how the UniParty say they will take part in the next by election in the Autumn do they have insider knowledge or is it all part of the witch hunt/stitch up mmmm.

12:36greyfur

Err yes why do you think Reform have led in over 300plus polls. Won the most council seats etc.

So Farage is some sort of maverick taking on "the establishment"

Busy speaking up for the common man who has been been ignored for too long? He cares about abused girls, British values and our rights.

How can anybody really believe this?

11:13Cossy

How do you know all about what Farage does or doesn't do in Clacton? Do you track his everymove?

What do other MPs do I've never had any contact with mine only when it's a General Election and she sends me a letter. What does Angela Raynor do for her constituency seeing as she cashed out her money from her family home and did a chicken run to Brighton.

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

I think the editor of the Byline Times sums up how many people are feeling quite succinctly:

Never before has a politician announced their intention to run for re-election on an explicitly pro-sleaze, anti-transparency ticket. Never before has a politician gloried in having enriched themselves by breaking the rules, and then demanded a mandate to continue doing so indefinitely

bsky.app/profile/adambienkov.bsky.social/post/3mq4oypgkic25

AGAA4

In your opinion Primrose. The other parties know full well what he is doing and won't engage. The only other to stand is "Binface* a comedian. Says it all really.

Precisely!!

Which serious politician would actively engage in this pathetic theatrical “gameplaying”?

Farage could have still made his point, made his long televised speech and not called a by-election.

I sometimes feel we are in some form parallel universe or down Alice’s rabbit hole!

I hope Count Binface wins. He couldn't do any worse for Clacton than Farage and may even be good for them.

In fact, Jon Harvey (Binface) is a successful comedy writer, performer and producer who has worked on, amongst other shows, Yes, Minister and In The Thick Of It.

He might make a decent MP.

Farage's predecessor was actor Giles Watling.

ebdonmgt.com/actor/jon-harvey/comedy

Obviously some very strong opinions each way. Says it all.