Nigel Farage could be eyeing a political comeback – and seat – in a seaside town where constituents would be happy to have him.
The I’m a Celeb finallist is said to be looking to make an impact in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, with polls suggesting he could actually get his wish. While the former UKIP leader is loved by some, and not-so-favoured by others, it appears setting his sights on this little town may actually prove a positive move.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, several pub owners in Clacton-on-Sea said the devastating effect of the cost of living crisis meant that any chance for Mr Farage to take the reins would be “very welcome”.
One said she felt it “would be better” with Mr Farage as their representative in parliament. But others were less convinced it would make any difference, with one commenting “they’re all as bad as each other.”
Pub owners of Nigel Farage’s potential constituency have said Reform UK’s pledge to slice corporation tax for small businesses have made them far more favourable to the arch-Brexiteer.
A recent poll of the Clacton constituency suggested that Mr Farage would comfortably win the seat in the general election. According to the Survation findings of 509 voters in the constituency, the GB News presenter would easily win by 10 points with 37 percent, beating out Tory MP Giles Watling, who would achieve 27 percent in the study.
Mr Watling was a Remainer, and Clacton and Thurrock are both understood to have been discussed as possible seats for Mr Farage to run.
Reform UK do already officially have a candidate in Clacton there called Anthony Mack. Tracy Cooper, 56, owner of the The Three Jays pub, told Express.co.uk she felt “it would be better” with Mr Farage their MP as she “had heard good reviews of him”.
She particularly liked Reform UK’s pledge to cut corporation tax for smaller businesses. She said that due to the cost of living crisis they were struggling to make ends meet.
“Our energy bills are through the roof,” she said, adding the cut to their tax would be “very welcome”. Another pub owner, who asked to remain anonymous, was also swayed by the commitment.
He said: “It wouldn’t be a huge change, it might not be enough, but it would definitely help. Right now we’ll take what we can get.
“I know people don’t like a lot of what he says, but if he can help us with that, then that’s something. And you know, this place does need something to lift us up.”
Residents of the town recently told Express.co.uk that anti-social behaviour in the town was proving a real issue for locals. Passenger assistance manager Mark Wiggett, 36, said: “I don’t take my kids out after a certain time at night because of it… We need a night shelter or something to take people off the streets.”
However, some other owners of boozers in the coastal town were less convinced that it would make any substantial difference, with many seeming apathetic about whether politicians could make any meaningful difference to their lives.
George Hickman, 58, owner of the Robert Burre pub, said: “Nigel Farage has been given a lot of bad press about his opinions. It might even be good for Clacton because people would come here just for the sake of Nigel Farage being a Clacton MP.”
The cut to corporation tax “would appeal”, he admitted. However, he added that he didn’t think it would effect his pub, saying: “If he’s here, he’s here, if he’s not, he’s not: I don’t think it would help us either way.”
Another hospitality trader was more direct in his apathy towards any help Mr Farage could offer, saying: “I couldn’t give a t*** about it. They’re all as bad as one another.”
Millionaire businessman Arron Banks, a friend of Mr Farage’s who campaigned with him in the EU referendum with Leave EU, has called for the Brexiteer to take the top job with Reform UK.
He told the Sunday Express: “By some estimates the national support for Reform would increase to 20 percent, if Nigel returned as leader, winning votes from both parties. Sir Keir beware, working class Labour voters love Nigel. He could smash the red wall right in.”
