Voters in the seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea have given their verdict after Nigel Farage dramatically announced that he would be fighting to become their MP.
In an astonishing U-turn last night, the Brexit champion said he would now be standing in the general election, taking over from Richard Tice as the new leader of Reform UK.
Farage, the former UKIP and Brexit party leader, has pledged to lead Reform for the next five years and his announcement could land a bitter blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s election campaign.
The Essex seat which Farage is looking to fill was the first to elect a UKIP MP in 2014. It was represented by Conservative Giles Watling until Parliament was dissolved.
Residents of the traditional Essex seaside town have already warmed to Farage, who sang the praises of the town’s Wetherspoons during his emergency press conference yesterday.
Voters told they backed his views on immigration, describing him as being ‘bang on the money’ and an ‘honest guy who talks common sense’.
Mother-of-three Angie Root, 59, who works as a learning support assistant and in a fish and chip shop, said: ‘I will be voting for him. He has passion and is a fantastic speaker who really gets through to people.
‘Something needs to be done about immigration. There are a lot of people in Clacton working for low wages. I think wages have been pushed down by migrants. Nigel Farage gives me some hope that wages could go up.’
Amelia Burke, 19, who works in a holiday park and is due to start studying to be a dental nurse in September, added: ‘I will be voting for him.
‘I think it’s great that he has a voice. Clacton is often over-looked and needs someone like Nigel Farage to speak up for the town.
‘Immigration for me is a really big thing. People in the UK are struggling to find housing and competing against people from other countries.’
Pauline McGinty, 76, the owner of the century-old Jolly Roger restaurant on Clacton Pier, told The Telegraph: ‘Nigel is well-liked. It’s the pint of beer and the cigar. He will definitely win here.’
Dustcart driver Keith Acraman, 68, a grandfather of six, also voiced support for Farage, telling : ‘I will probably vote for him because he is for the British.
‘I quite like him, and I think he has got the right ideas, although sometimes he is over the top. Immigration just needs to come under some sort of control.’
Construction training company boss Walter Pasifull, 74, who was with his wife Kathleen, added: ‘Nigel is alright. He talks a lot of sense.
‘I voted Conservative last time, and I am now thinking whether I should vote for Nigel or go Tory again. I have not yet decided.
‘I run a limited company and I am interested in what help is going to be offered for business.’
Retired civil engineer David Armstrong, 70, said: ‘I will absolutely be voting for Nigel. It’s good news that he is standing. He is an honest guy who talks common sense. People know what he stands for.
‘The real concern that I have is the migrants coming over on the dinghies. Thousands upon thousands have come in the last year and there is nothing being done to stop them.
‘The Tories have not sorted it. I know we have the Rwanda plan now, but why has it taken so long? All the other parties have failed, but Nigel wants to get to grips with it.’
Nathan Mann, 19, who works as a roofer, added: ‘I have seen Nigel Farage being interviewed on TV, and I think he is OK. I am not really into politics, but I will probably vote for him.
‘I like him because he knows what he is doing, and has his priorities straight. He is going to be better than what we have got now.’
Arcade attendant Adam Mason, 33, added: ‘I am glad he is standing. His views are the way forward. I have voted UKIP in the past so I will be voting for him.
‘I definitely will not be voting for the Tories under Rishi Sunak. He has told lies after lies. But Nigel is bang on the money.’
Restaurant chef Richard Dale, 48, who was sipping a pint outside Charnallies American Restaurant and Bar, said: ‘I will vote for Nigel. I am sure he will do alright for Clacton.
‘I like his mannerisms and characteristics. He has always represented Britain and the British ideal. I would have voted Reform anyway. Now he is standing here, I am even more certain to.’
Shoe repair shop owner Phil Oliphant, 65, said: ‘I will be putting Nigel Farage’s poster in my window. I like him because he speaks openly and honestly.
‘I know he got deleted a few years ago, and it will be good to see him back as a leader of a political party, and hopefully the local MP here.’
But others who were not so enthusiastic about Farage included a tattooed lorry driver who gave his name as James, 67, and described him as ‘a p**ck and an idiot.’
As he sipped lager on the terrace of the Moon and Starfish, a Wetherspoon pub on the seafront, James added: ‘I will not vote for anyone.
‘Politicians are all as bad as each other. This country is totally screwed. I am not racist, but there are too many foreigners here.
‘There are so many small boats coming over and nobody is doing anything about it.’
Restaurant worker Shaun Barnett, 23, added: ‘I got put off politics with the whole Brexit thing. I am not a massive fan of Farage and I probably won’t be voting for him.
‘In fact, I don’t see the point in voting at all. It hard to believe in any of the parties whether it’s the Tories, Labour or Reform UK.’
A bouncer called James, 32, who works in a seafront pub added: ‘I know who Nigel Farage is because I have seen him on TV talking s**t.
‘I don’t think it makes any difference who is in power, and I will not be voting for him or anyone else.
‘I have only voted once in my life and it was so long ago that I can’t remember who I voted for. I don’t intend to start again now.’
Part time caravan park worker Brad Moore added: ‘Nigel Farage says it how it is. That is why I quite like him. He definitely stands for what England is.
‘But I really don’t have any political opinions myself, and I don’t think I will be voting.’