Two years ago, the Reform UK leader beat<\/a> incumbent Conservative MP Giles Watling in a landslide in the seaside town, entering the House of Commons at the eighth attempt, and bringing with him the hope that those with little track record can muster.<\/p>\n But the ever-controversial figure has come under a particularly strong tide of pressure recently after a slew of allegations of undeclared gifts and donations, as well as benefits he received from adviser George Cottrell<\/a>, a convicted fraudster.<\/p>\n Mr Farage initiated the by-election in protest against the media and parliamentary scrutiny he was facing, in a move dubbed a \u201cpolitical tantrum\u201d by Labour.<\/p>\n However, his approval rating has plummeted<\/a> to the lowest since the 2024 general election, and some pollsters suggest his main rival Count Binface could get as much as 20 per cent of the vote. <\/p>\n But with two years\u2019 experience as Clacton\u2019s MP, many told The Independent that he won\u2019t enjoy the same wave of enthusiasm he rode in on in 2024.<\/p>\n Phil Roberts, 81, voted for Mr Watling in 2024 and says Mr Farage<\/a> hasn\u2019t done enough to win him over since he was elected.<\/p>\n \u201cI think most politicians now are only in it for their own benefit, not for the benefit of other people,\u201d he said, adding he feels \u201cangry\u201d that money is being spent on an \u201cunnecessary\u201d by-election<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI understand why Farage decided to do what he did, but I don\u2019t actually think he\u2019s right,\u201d he said. \u201cMaybe at the ballot box people will show their disapproval.\u201d<\/p>\n He said he isn\u2019t sure who he will vote for, but that he thinks it is \u201cpathetic\u201d that none of the major political parties entered a candidate: \u201cIt\u2019s like the baby throws out its dummy into the street because it’s annoyed,\u201d he said. \u201cWhoever gets elected in Clacton, it won\u2019t make an iota of difference to the country.\u201d<\/p>\n Lesley Noakes, 66, has lived in Clacton for 25 years and is also an undecided voter, but said she is \u201cnot that keen\u201d on Mr Farage.<\/p>\n \u201cHe said he was going to do things, but nothing has changed,\u201d she said. \u201cAll the time I\u2019ve been here, nothing has changed.\u201d<\/p>\n She said she has never seen Mr Farage around Clacton and called the by-election a \u201cwaste of time\u201d. <\/p>\n Amy Smith, 37, said she has seen a lot of Reform campaigners in the area recently, but has not seen Mr Farage himself.<\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t seen him much, to be honest,\u201d she said. \u201cThere\u2019s loads of talk and adverts around, but he isn\u2019t really here.\u201d<\/p>\n She added she believes Mr Farage \u201crepresents us in the wrong way\u201d. <\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t seen much investment,\u201d she said when asked if the area had changed since the Reform leader\u2019s election two years ago. \u201cThe community spirit is really good, but from politicians, not much has changed.\u201d<\/p>\n For Westminster gossip, intrigue and behind-the-scenes insight, sign up for John Rentoul\u2019s Commons Confidential newsletter by becoming an Independent Premium subscriber here<\/a>.<\/p>\n She said she wished the major political parties had \u201ctaken more interest\u201d in the by-election. \u201cLike anyone else, we deserve a chance,\u201d she said. \u201cWe have that stigma we can\u2019t get rid of, the whole area. But like any other seaside town, we need facilities.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Nigel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-07-08T135239Z_1690690097_RC2M9MA2116L_RTRMADP_3_BRITAIN-POLITICS-FARAGE-CLACTON.JPG\")
Nigel Farage resigned to trigger a by-election in Clacton-on-Sea (Reuters)<\/p>\n![\"Phil](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_0385.jpeg\")
Phil Roberts, 81, says Nigel Farage hasn’t done enough for Clacton (The Independent)<\/p>\n![\"Lesley](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_0386.jpeg\")
Lesley Noakes, 66, said she is ‘not that keen’ on Mr Farage (The Independent)<\/p>\n![\"Amy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_0389.jpeg\")
Amy Smith, 37, said she hasn’t seen a lot of Nigel Farage (The Independent)<\/p>\n
![\"Ashley](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_0388.jpeg\")
Ashley Scott said he usually votes but isn’t sure he will next week (The Independent)<\/p>\n![\"Larry](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_0387.jpeg\")
Larry Graham said Mr Farage has his vote (The Independent)<\/p>\n