Clacton responds to Nigel Farage’s election candidacy

People in the seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea have spoken out in response to the news that Nigel Farage will be fighting to become a Reform UK MP.

The former UKIP and Brexit Party leader had insisted two weeks ago that he would not stand in the upcoming general election but has now changed his mind, saying he “cannot disappoint millions of people”.

The Essex constituency was represented by Conservative Mr Giles Watling until Parliament was dissolved.

So what do the people of Clacton-on-Sea think?

Retired Brenda Mallet, 79, told the BBC: “I think he’s fantastic. I think he’s the perfect gentleman, very cultured and extremely qualified for the job.”

“I saw him on TV. I think I’m going to vote for him.”

Sarah Allen said she was concerned about how much attention Mr Farage was receiving.

“He has never won any election he has run for parliament and I don’t understand why people are paying so much attention to him when, as far as I understand, he has brought nothing but division and hardship,” she said.

“I don’t understand why people are focusing on him when there are plenty of other parties with more seats and more votes – not just the Conservatives or Labour.”

“They should be given more attention.”

Retired candidate Biodua Thomas gave his prediction for this seat.

“If he runs in Clacton I think he will win,” she said.

But she believed, “No one knows who’s going to win.”

Allen Forecast said Mr Farage was “fun and some of the things he does are old-fashioned British, but I don’t think I want him running the country.”

“I think he’ll be fine in a smaller constituency,” he added.

Of politicians, he said: “They’re all trying to screw you, aren’t they? It doesn’t matter who wins. I don’t care who wins.”

BBC political reporter Charlotte Rose said the Essex coastal constituency was a natural choice for Nigel Farage – he is a familiar face in the city, having campaigned there in previous elections and during the Brexit referendum.

The seat is the only Westminster seat held by former Conservative Douglas Carswell’s former party, UKIP, after he won a by-election.

Clacton had the second highest number of votes in favour of leaving the EU, coming in a close second to Boston in Lincolnshire.

Research from the Clacton Place Programme found that half of the town’s over-16s were economically inactive and one in five had never held a job.

Other candidates who have announced their candidacy in Clacton so far are (in alphabetical order by surname):

The full list will be published on the BBC News website after nominations close on Friday.