Nigel Farage clearly thought he was in a win-win situation by resigning as Clacton MP, but the situation has backfired in the most humiliating, and very British, of ways.

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In stepping down from the Commons, the Reform leader was hoping to move the news narrative on from non-disclosure of a £5m gift from convicted criminal George Cottrell to a story of his own success.

And success seemed guaranteed. Farage won the Essex seat with 46% of the vote in 2024, and with Reform riding high in the national polls it seemed a low risk that any of the major parties could overcome him.

A victory in Clacton over Labour, the Conservatives and others would allow Farage, according to Farage at least, the chance to say the public do not care about the financial scandal and that they back him to the hilt.

It's another question as to whether Clacton represents all the British people and there is also the matter that this by-election will allow........

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