This is an extract from Nigel Farage’s latest essay. Read it in full and subscribe to his Substack here.
Two years ago, after several years out of politics, I decided to return to the front line. I have to say, there was some reluctance. And initially I’d thought when Rishi Sunak called a snap election that it would be beyond me. But I did it. And I was very proud, that evening, going into the morning of July 5th 2024, to be elected member for Clacton-on-Sea.
I have to say, the last two years, I’ve really enjoyed the job of being an MP. The people, the constituency: it’s an office that I genuinely adore. I wouldn’t have believed that night that by today we’d have rocketed to the top of the opinion polls, and that we’ve now been number one for the last 350 opinion polls in a row, often with big leads. We’ve also built the biggest membership of any political party in the country.
We’re about to get a Prime Minister who’s coming in with no mandate whatsoever. He didn’t even stand on the 2024 manifesto. This country needs a General Election, even if Labour, the Conservatives and the media don’t want it.
And whilst this pile-on against Reform continues, the boats continue to cross the English Channel. Our fractured defences look weaker and weaker against what I think is now an increasingly dangerous Vladimir Putin. Business confidence is the lowest it’s been for 16 years. And I speak to you from a capital city where men can’t wear watches and women can’t wear jewellery on the street. Britain is broken. The public know it. We need change.
I thought about it hard, and I’ve decided I will resign as Member of Parliament for Clacton-on-Sea, thereby forcing a by-election, which should happen, I hope, in short order.
No, I’ve decided that the people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions. This will be a people versus the Establishment by-election. It’s a chance to stick two fingers up to the entire Establishment. To frankly tell them where to go. And that is why I will be putting my name forward to stand in this by-election.
I will fight to win. I will fight to continue the political revolution that Reform has started. And I would say this to you, the voters of Clacton: If I win, you win. Because if I lose, they win.
Two years ago, after several years out of politics, I decided to return to the front line. I have to say, there was some reluctance. And initially I’d thought when Rishi Sunak called a snap election that it would be beyond me. But I did it. And I was very proud, that evening, going into the morning of July 5th 2024, to be elected member for Clacton-on-Sea.
I have to say, the last two years, I’ve really enjoyed the job of being an MP. The people, the constituency: it’s an office that I genuinely adore. I wouldn’t have believed that night that by today we’d have rocketed to the top of the opinion polls, and that we’ve now been number one for the last 350 opinion polls in a row, often with big leads. We’ve also built the biggest membership of any political party in the country.
We’re about to get a Prime Minister who’s coming in with no mandate whatsoever. He didn’t even stand on the 2024 manifesto. This country needs a General Election, even if Labour, the Conservatives and the media don’t want it.
And whilst this pile-on against Reform continues, the boats continue to cross the English Channel. Our fractured defences look weaker and weaker against what I think is now an increasingly dangerous Vladimir Putin. Business confidence is the lowest it’s been for 16 years. And I speak to you from a capital city where men can’t wear watches and women can’t wear jewellery on the street. Britain is broken. The public know it. We need change.
I thought about it hard, and I’ve decided I will resign as Member of Parliament for Clacton-on-Sea, thereby forcing a by-election, which should happen, I hope, in short order.
No, I’ve decided that the people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions. This will be a people versus the Establishment by-election. It’s a chance to stick two fingers up to the entire Establishment. To frankly tell them where to go. And that is why I will be putting my name forward to stand in this by-election.
I will fight to win. I will fight to continue the political revolution that Reform has started. And I would say this to you, the voters of Clacton: If I win, you win. Because if I lose, they win.
