Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed she will accept Nigel Farage’s resignation as MP for Clacton, dismissing the move as a “farce” and a “desperate distraction”. In a social media post, Reeves said she would approve Farage’s request to be appointed Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead, the mechanism by which MPs resign from Parliament.
Reeves Responds to Farage’s Resignation
Earlier on Tuesday, Reform UK chief whip Lee Anderson told GB News that Reeves had not yet approved the resignation. However, the Chancellor later confirmed her decision, ignoring calls from the Liberal Democrats to block the process. The last time a chancellor refused a resignation was in 1842.
In her post, Reeves wrote: “I will accept Nigel Farage’s request to be appointed Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead. It is a farce and a desperate distraction, and the people of Clacton deserve better. But if he wants to spend the summer arguing with a bin, I won’t stop him.”
Political Reactions and Implications
The remark, referencing a past incident where Farage was filmed arguing with a bin, was seen as a rare display of humour from Reeves, who is not known for her comedic style. The Liberal Democrats had urged Reeves to become the first chancellor since 1842 to block a resignation, but she declined to do so.
Farage’s resignation triggers a by-election in Clacton, a seat he won in the 2024 general election. The move is widely viewed as a political strategy, though Reeves’s acceptance ensures the process proceeds without delay.
