Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has labelled the party's political opponents “cowardly chickens” following Nigel Farage's Clacton by-election win. Mr Farage increased his majority to 12,784, taking 62.82% of the vote, in the contest boycotted by the other main Westminster parties.
Accusations of cowardice
Mr Tice claimed the party's Westminster rivals had “bottled it” by refusing to field candidates in the by-election. Political rivals dismissed the contest in Essex as a stunt, leaving comedy candidate Count Binface as Mr Farage's closest competitor.
Performing a chicken impression, including flapping his arms to mimic wings, Mr Tice told GB News: “They're like cowardly chickens! They had the chance. They abandoned it.
“Kemi Badenoch panicked and sent a letter to the Clacton constituents saying: ‘Maybe I slightly regret not putting a candidate, but don't vote for Nigel.
“I mean, the whole thing is just cowardice, pure cowardice on their behalf.”
Discourteous rivals
He went on to accuse Labour, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats of being "discourteous" by not putting any candidates forward. Mr Tice added: “Essentially, they were just cocking a snoop at the good voters of Clacton and said: ‘You don't matter.'
“Well, actually, they do matter. Nigel asked them the question, and they have said, as I say, we want more, Nigel, not less Nigel.”
By-election background
The vote was triggered last month as Mr Farage quit as an MP to fight a “people versus the establishment” by-election in protest at parliamentary and media scrutiny of financial donations and support from his backers. The Reform leader said he had done "nothing wrong" and that the people of Clacton “should be the judges of my actions”.
Following Mr Farage's victory, the parliamentary probe into a £5 million gift he received from crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne has automatically resumed. The investigation into the alleged failure to register an interest was suspended after the by-election was triggered. Depending on the outcome, another by-election in Clacton could be forced.
The contest on Thursday had the largest number of candidates ever at 34. Mr Farage comfortably won after receiving 22,239 votes — around 1,000 more than he got in 2024. His closest rival, Count Binface, got 9,455 votes.
