Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has declared he has "won" the Clacton by-election he called in July after resigning as an MP. Speaking to GB News political editor Christopher Hope at a Reform rally in the constituency, dubbed Farage-Fest, Farage was bullish about his chances of victory. He also poured scorn on the main parties for failing to stand against him, while accusing his media opponents of mounting a personal campaign against him that had affected his close family.
Farage Claims Victory Over Establishment
When asked if he had won, the Reform leader immediately replied: "Yes. Rather convincingly - and we managed to beat the establishment candidate." He was referring to Count Binface, the satirist and former In the Thick of It political comedy writer Jonathan Harvey, who has captured the imagination of Reform's opponents.
Most political commentators expect Farage to comfortably win the seat, with particular attention focused on his best-known rival.
Dismisses £5m Windfall Questions
When asked about the ongoing issue of whether he allegedly failed to declare a £5million windfall from investor and political ally Christopher Harborne, Farage simply replied: "Who cares? The voters of Clacton don't care. Lib-Dem, Conservative and Labour canvassers have been out for Binface."
He continued: "They're not going to win. The uni-party is not going to win. They're not going to call a second by-election here they would be stupid to do so."
Anger at Media and Family Threats
Hope asked Farage whether he was angry about the way he had been treated by "the establishment". He replied: "If you threaten my family, if you threaten the safety of my daughter, drive another member of my family into hiding. Am I angry? I'm very angry."
Farage noted that it was "interesting" that the rhetoric directed at him and his family had dialled down since he called and campaigned for the Clacton by-election. He concluded: "I was right to do this."
