Nigel Farage is set to refocus his campaign on immigration as he contests a by-election in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, following a significant drop in his poll ratings amid controversy over his financial dealings. The Reform UK leader called the by-election last month after coming under investigation by parliamentary authorities regarding an undeclared £5 million gift from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne. Farage has argued that he was not required to disclose the gift as he was not an MP when he received it, and he hopes to let the voters of Clacton judge him directly rather than the parliamentary watchdog.
The by-election, scheduled for August 13, has attracted over 30 candidates, including novelty entrants such as the self-styled “intergalactic space warrior” Count Binface. While some supporters remain loyal to Farage, others express frustration over the crowded field and a lack of serious alternatives. Sandra Hatton, a 75-year-old retired police worker from Clacton, described the contest as “a complete waste of time,” noting that even if Farage is re-elected, the investigation into his finances will continue. She criticized his immigration stance as “appalling,” suggesting instead that the government should increase staffing to process incoming migrants more efficiently.
Farage’s campaign is expected to emphasize the issue of immigration, especially in light of recent events at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa, where approximately 60,000 migrants entered from Morocco. Reform UK’s home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, who visited the area, claimed that many migrants intend to travel to the United Kingdom, with some reportedly wanted for serious crimes. These developments have heightened tensions across European capitals, prompting leaders to reassure their citizens of firm immigration controls.
Reform UK advocates a stringent overhaul of immigration policy, including the abolition of indefinite leave to remain, barring non-UK citizens from social housing, and restricting welfare benefits exclusively to British nationals. The party also proposes a controversial mass deportation strategy that would automatically deny asylum to anyone entering the UK illegally and permit indefinite detention pending removal.
However, Farage faces challenges as the UK government, led by Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, has seen a notable decline in small-boat migrant arrivals, which have dropped by 44 percent compared to last year. Although the current government supports tougher immigration measures, such as doubling the settlement wait time to 10 years, these policies face opposition within the ruling Labour Party. Nearly 80 Labour MPs have called for a reconsideration of the reforms.
Public opinion in Clacton remains divided. John Hooper, 79, a retired airport worker, expressed strong support for Farage, praising his immigration policies and dismissing financial controversies as typical in politics. In contrast, recent polling by BMG Research indicates Farage’s net approval rating has fallen by 10 percentage points in one month, highlighting the uphill battle he faces in reinvigorating his campaign ahead of the by-election.