Key facts
- Nigel Farage resigned as the MP for Clacton.
- Farage stated his resignation and intention to stand in a by-election are not a publicity stunt.
- Reform UK has proposed August 6 as the date for the by-election.
- Major political parties, including Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party, will not contest the by-election.
- Farage denied accusations of undeclared benefits from George Cottrell.
Nigel Farage has denied that his resignation as the MP for Clacton and his subsequent decision to stand again in a by-election is a publicity stunt. In his first interview since resigning, Farage told the BBC that the media had judged him to be dishonest and that he preferred to be judged by the "court of public opinion." He stated that the contest would not be "fake" because "real voters will have a vote for an MP."
Reform UK is proposing August 6 for the by-election, and plans to move the writ to trigger the process. However, the Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat, and Green parties have all declined to participate in the contest for the Essex seat. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper accused Farage of a "political stunt" and attempting to "duck and dive around the rules," while Tory leader Kemi Badenoch called the move a "gimmick."
Farage defended his undeclared benefits from convicted criminal George Cottrell, describing the accusations as "spurious" and stating that Cottrell was a volunteer and supporter who helped him during his time as a broadcaster and influencer. Farage also expressed a desire to become Britain's next prime minister but stressed the need for his family's privacy to be respected, referencing an incident involving Sky News and his daughter.
Following the BBC interview, Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed she had accepted Farage's resignation. Actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox announced he would stand against Farage, alongside Count Binface and Adham Alkhatip of the Forward Party. Farage pledged to prioritize local issues like potholes and oppose housing developments if re-elected, urging voters to give him a "big vote" to continue Reform's "political revolution."