Nigel Farage kicked off his Clacton by-election campaign with a speech at a sparsely attended right-wing conference in London, situated 84 miles away from the constituents he aims to represent. Addressing an audience that included Tory and Reform UK MPs, as well as staunch right-wing activists and influencers, Farage admitted to taking a risk, emphasizing his affinity for gambling.
The event, CPAC GB, an offshoot of a prominent American pro-Donald Trump convention led by Liz Truss, saw Farage draw the largest crowd of the day in a modest 500-seat auditorium. Despite this, empty seats were readily available.
During his speech, Farage confirmed his decision to run in the Clacton by-election, despite the absence of candidates from other major parties. He defended himself against scrutiny regarding a £5 million gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, labeling it a “coordinated pile on” that subjected him to extraordinary criticism, demonization, and dehumanization.
Painting a grim picture of societal decay, Farage lamented what he perceived as a “broken Britain,” citing trends like men eschewing watches and women refraining from wearing jewelry in London due to fear of muggings. He warned of a potential descent into third-world conditions within a decade.
Farage criticized both Andy Burnham and Kemi Badenoch, questioning Burnham’s mandate to be Prime Minister and calling for an immediate general election. He expressed distrust in Burnham’s proposed political shift and condemned Badenoch’s ideological departure from the previous Conservative government.
Facing off against various candidates in the by-election, including Count Binface, Laurence Fox, Howling Laud Hope, and Piers Corbyn, Farage highlighted the resistance he faced from the “establishment” due to Reform’s unexpected resilience.
Farage will also compete against independent candidates like Luke Worley, Robert Elwes, Rees Cowne, and Mr. Fishfinger in the upcoming election. Notably, major parties like Labour, the Conservative Party, the Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party opted not to field candidates in the race.