Nigel Farage, the Clacton By-election and Count Binface
Yesterday afternoon, Nigel Farage the Member of Parliament for Clacton and leader of the Reform Party, held a press conference in which he declared that he would be resigning his seat and thus triggering a by-election. He cited the following list of grievances that have led to him making this decision. That the Parliamentary standards investigations were being politicised, the media and other parties were conducting a coordinated campaign against him and that he had endured years of threats and physical attacks. He further asserted that his family’s privacy and safety had been breached as well. He finished by alleging that the political system was repeatedly changing rules to obstruct Reform and that he was the most attacked politician in the UK. Rather than be judged by the legacy media and the “establishment”, he would rather put the issue of his political integrity to the electorate of Clacton. He even offered to pay for the cost of the by-election.
Yesterday afternoon, Nigel Farage the Member of Parliament for Clacton and leader of the Reform Party, held a press conference in which he declared that he would be resigning his seat and thus triggering a by-election. He cited the following list of grievances that have led to him making this decision. That the Parliamentary standards investigations were being politicised, the media and other parties were conducting a coordinated campaign against him and that he had endured years of threats and physical attacks. He further asserted that his family’s privacy and safety had been breached as well. He finished by alleging that the political system was repeatedly changing rules to obstruct Reform and that he was the most attacked politician in the UK. Rather than be judged by the legacy media and the “establishment”, he would rather put the issue of his political integrity to the electorate of Clacton. He even offered to pay for the cost of the by-election.
I shall not spend too much time rebutting Farage’s claims. There are plenty of online sources that have the resources to do a far more comprehensive job than myself. Let it suffice to say that as ever the claims are spurious. The Parliamentary standards investigation is simply following protocol because it is important to know how all political parties are financed. Furthermore, Farage has benefitted from a disproportionate amount of media coverage over the last 15 years and has frequently gone unchallenged when making political points and assertions. It is curious how his opinion changes when he is legitimately scrutinised. His family’s privacy has not been breached and details such as home addresses have been in the public domain for years. As for claims of threats and physical attacks, are these not the consequences of his policies and actions which have often lead to violence themselves? Plus how can you claim to be the “most attacked politician” when Jo Cox and David Amess were murdered in recent years?
Nigel Farage’s action yesterday were nothing more than a poorly conceived political contrivance. A means to try and sidestep legitimate scrutiny into his party’s finances that may ultimately lead to him being suspended from Parliament if he is found to be in breach of the rules. Such an outcome could trigger a by-election anyway, so it would appear that Farage’s plan is to try and bypass any inquiry, call the by-election now and try and fight it on his own terms. Sadly, this plan has not been thought through properly. Something that often seems to happen to Reform. Firstly, they cannot pay for the by-election so the cost will be picked up by the British taxpayer. Also calling a by-election does not stop the ongoing investigation. If he wins, he will still face the committee. If he loses, they can even pursue their inquiry without him. But perhaps the biggest error that Farage has made is the other political parties choosing not to be drawn into such a contrived political stunt.
Clacton-on-Sea, often simply called Clacton, is a coastal town in Essex, England
Today, it would appear that none of the major UK political parties will be contesting the Clacton by-election and fielding candidates. The only person interested in standing against him is Count Binface. For those who are unfamiliar with the UK’s rich history of satirical and novelty political candidates, I wrote about the subject last month. Hence there is a possibility that the UK’s media will spend the next month or so, focusing upon a political battle between a controversial populist politician who polarises the nation and a man with a bin on his head, who actually interviews very well. At first glance this may appear to make a mockery of UK politics. But I suspect that if it does actually happen, then it may well even re-ignite the public’s interest in a democracy and voting. If politics has taught us anything in recent years it is that unexpected results can and do happen. Assuming Farage is prepared to endure such a contest. He is a singularly humourless individual by his own admission.
Nigel Farage is a politician who thrives on trading upon negative feelings and perceived grievances. His is a good communicator who can connect with specific groups of the public. He claims that political solutions are easy and that the only reason that things aren’t “fixed” is due to a specific socioeconomic strata of society he labels “the establishment”. He points the finger at entrenched political power, wealth and alleged social standing. Then he sets himself, aside from such a group, despite being a millionaire, ex-commodities trader who enjoyed the education and privilege of his class. There is simply no logic to his position but sadly logic is conspicuously absent from much of contemporary politics. However, this situation that he now finds himself in may well be his undoing. Although Farage still enjoys a strong hardcore following of people who support him regardless, initial polls and the word on the street indicate that the wider public are losing patience with the ongoing “Reform show”.
Despite there being a strong appetite for political change, as seen in recent years by voters abandoning the traditional parties, it would appear the UK electorate still broadly expect politicians to work with the prescribed rules. There has also been a strong element of tactical voting to keep Reform out of elected office, which is a totally legitimate political tool. Some people have raised the question whether Nigel Farage even wants to remain an MP and that this is simply a wider plan to lose, retreat and claim victimhood. His politics has never been about building a consensus and finding solutions. He is simply a professional malcontent who is most effective (and comfortable) when he can just stand on the wings, point the finger and not have to do anything tangible. Hence the rules, regulations and work load associated with being an MP are not to his liking. Whatever the reason, perhaps the tide is turning against Nigel Farage. Will Count Binface be his nemesis and deliver the coup de grâce?
Novelty Candidates in UK Elections
Andy Burnham successfully won the Makerfield by-election yesterday, returning him to the House of Commons as a member of Parliament after holding the position of Mayor of Manchester for the past nine years. Prior to this, Burnham was Labour MP for Leigh from 2001 and 2017. He served in both the Tony Blair and Gordon Brown administrations and has held such senior governmental posts as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and Secretary of State for Health. His return to Parliamentary politics is likely to result in a leadership challenge to incumbent Prime Minister Keir Starmer. When speaking after winning yesterday’s by-election Burnham spoke of “a final chance for change” the current trajectory of the present Labour Government. However, I don’t wish to focus on any of this at present. I am far more interested in the above picture, taken as the results were announced and what it says about UK politics.
Andy Burnham successfully won the Makerfield by-election yesterday, returning him to the House of Commons as a member of Parliament after holding the position of Mayor of Manchester for the past nine years. Prior to this, Burnham was Labour MP for Leigh from 2001 and 2017. He served in both the Tony Blair and Gordon Brown administrations and has held such senior governmental posts as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and Secretary of State for Health. His return to Parliamentary politics is likely to result in a leadership challenge to incumbent Prime Minister Keir Starmer. When speaking after winning yesterday’s by-election Burnham spoke of “a final chance for change” the current trajectory of the present Labour Government. However, I don’t wish to focus on any of this at present. I am far more interested in the above picture, taken as the results were announced and what it says about UK politics.
If you live outside of the UK you may be somewhat surprised by the fact that there are often novelty candidates at UK by-elections. Politics is usually steeped in formal trappings in most modern democracies. Candidates strive to project a no nonsense demeanour and similarly wish their policies to be perceived in the same way. Frivolity, joviality and rank stupidity are the opposite sentiments that political candidates wish to project. Yet here in the UK, all by-elections will have a percentage of novelty or niche market candidates who are there to add a degree of fun and light-heartedness to what are otherwise rather serious proceedings. Some candidates, representing traditional political parties, will balk or appear uncomfortable with this sort of triviality. More season campaigners understand that it has become part of the UK electoral tradition and its best to roll with it all. Hence you’ll find the successful candidate standing next to the someone from the “Standing at the Back Dressed Stupidly and Looking Stupid Party”.
The presence of novelty or satirical candidates in UK by-elections is primarily due to the country's relatively low barriers to entry for parliamentary candidacy and the unique platform that by-elections provide. To stand as a candidate in a UK parliamentary election, an individual generally only needs to meet three basic criteria. Be at least 18 years old. Be a British citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, or a citizen of a Commonwealth country with indefinite leave to remain in the UK. Submit a nomination form signed by 10 registered voters from that constituency and pay a £500 deposit. The deposit is returned if the candidate receives a certain percentage of the vote (typically 5%). However, for many novelty candidates the deposit is often viewed as a “fee” to access a platform to broadcast their message or gain media attention. It is by far the most cost effective means to gain television airtime and access to the mainstream journalists.
Because by-elections often attract intense media scrutiny, serve as a barometer for public sentiment toward the government and are unique, singular events, they provide a desirable media platform. Novelty candidates can use this to satirise politics, critique what they see as hypocrisy and draw attention to issues that major parties ignore. Some candidates use the ballot paper as a vehicle for a single-issue protest or as a symbolic rejection of the “two-party” system. The novelty of a candidate in a costume or with a bizarre name often garners more press coverage than a serious independent candidate, allowing them to broadcast their message to a wider audience than they could through traditional campaigning. Note how in the case of Andy Burnham winning yesterday, when he took to the stage to make his speech he found that the only space available, strategically place him in between Count Binface and Rob Pownhall from Protect British Wildlife.
Novelty candidates and parties are not unique to UK politics. There is a history of them in Canada, Iceland and Denmark. Sadly, US politics seems somewhat more po-faced and I suspect that India and several South American countries are similarly formal. The UK, however has a long, historical tradition of mocking all its most hallowed institutions including elections. From Hogarth engravings to Charles Dickens. I suspect that the greatest inspirations for a lot of the modern novelty candidates stems from the classic 1970 Monty Python sketch “Election Night Special” in which there was an ongoing political insurgency from the Silly Party. Considering the polarised and more febrile nature of UK politics at present and the resurgence of nationalism, I think more than ever the injection of some humour is not only welcome but frankly necessary to keep things civil. Plus it’s worth reading the policies on Count Binface’s website. Some of them are quite sound.
Old Bexley and Sidcup By-election Part 3
The Conservative Party successfully held onto their “safe seat” of Old Bexley and Sidcup in yesterday’s closely watched by-election. However their overall majority was reduced by more than half amid a very low voter turnout. Conservative councillor Louie French becomes the country’s newest MP after winning 11,189 votes, more than 50 per cent of those cast, in the seat previously held by the former cabinet minister James Brokenshire. Mr Brokenshire died in October from lung cancer aged 53. The closest challenger was Labour’s Daniel Francis, who secured 6,711 as the Tory majority fell from nearly 19,000 to 4,478, the equivalent of a vote share swing of 10 per cent to Labour. Turnout in the constituency was just 34%, down from the almost 70% who voted in the 2019 general election.
The Conservative Party successfully held onto their “safe seat” of Old Bexley and Sidcup in yesterday’s closely watched by-election. However their overall majority was reduced by more than half amid a very low voter turnout. Conservative councillor Louie French becomes the country’s newest MP after winning 11,189 votes, more than 50 per cent of those cast, in the seat previously held by the former cabinet minister James Brokenshire. Mr Brokenshire died in October from lung cancer aged 53. The closest challenger was Labour’s Daniel Francis, who secured 6,711 as the Tory majority fell from nearly 19,000 to 4,478, the equivalent of a vote share swing of 10 per cent to Labour. Turnout in the constituency was just 34%, down from the almost 70% who voted in the 2019 general election.
The results subsequently saw positive statements made by both the Conservatives and Labour. Mr French stated that such a victory for a sitting government was “almost unheard of”. Ellie Reeves MP, Labour's political lead for the 2021 Old Bexley and Sidcup by-election, remarked “There’s been a 10% swing over to Labour this evening”. Reform UK, formerly the Brexit Party, came third with 6.6% of the vote, with the party's leader and candidate Richard Tice describing it as a "massive result". Speaking after the results were announced, Mr Tice claimed “The reduction in the Conservatives’ majority in Old Bexley and Sidcup is a rejection of Boris Johnson personally because the Prime Minister is now viewed as a liability, not an asset in Tory heartlands”. The Green Party and Liberal Democrats both lost their deposits as they polled under 5% of the votes.
Old Bexley and Sidcup by-election 2021 results:
Louie French (Con) 11,189 (51.48%, -13.06%)
Daniel Francis (Lab) 6,711 (30.88%, +7.40%)
Richard Tice (Reform) 1,432 (6.59%)
Jonathan Rooks (Green) 830 (3.82%, +0.62%)
Simone Reynolds (Lib Dem) 647 (2.98%, -5.31%)
Elaine Cheeseman (Eng Dem) 271 (1.25%)
John Poynton (UKIP) 184 (0.85%)
Richard Hewison (Rejoin) 151 (0.69%)
David Kurten (Heritage) 116 (0.53%)
Carol Valinejad (CPA) 108 (0.50%)
Mad Mike Young (Loony) 94 (0.43%)
Although the retention of the constituency is a relief for the Conservative Party, the reduction in majority and the dismal voter turnout cannot be ignored. It is extremely disheartening to see two thirds of the electorate deciding not to bother to vote. COVID-19 and poor weather are convenient excuses but both those factors did not deter voters two years ago in the General Election of 12th December 2019. Brexit was a pressing political issue at the time but the demographics of a constituency such as Old Bexley and Sidcup means that they usually make an effort to vote. Hence such voter apathy is food for thought. Doorstep canvassing by all parties discovered a growing sense of disillusionment with the lack of political direction of the government and the inadequacy of the Prime Minister himself. Yet that despondency did not translate into votes for alternative parties.
As a floating voter who has no strong political attachment to either of the two main parties, I have reached a point where none of the choices available on the ballot paper seem appropriate or desirable. I did vote in this election but it had zero impact, due to the “winner takes all” approach that is entrenched in the UK’s political system. Unless you live in a marginal seat, voting against a majority incumbent is effectively redundant. Therefore, with a vote that feels meaningless and a paucity of parties to choose from, I fully understand why people turn their backs on politics. Especially the under 30 year olds. All the canvassing that I saw taking place seemed to be undertaken by the over 40s and pitched at a similar age demographic and above. All too often, UK politics just seems to be a form of lobbying for specific socioeconomic groups. Sadly, I do not see the situation improving anytime soon.
As for Louie French, it will be interesting to follow his voting record in parliament in the months to come to see where he fits within the spectrum of modern Conservatism. At present, as a new MP he is naturally focused upon the needs of his constituents. In his victory speech Mr French stated he will “work tirelessly to repay the trust you put in me”. But I am more intrigued to learn what his position is on several major forthcoming pieces of legislation, such as the UK Online Safety Bill and the new Policing Bill with its potential restrictions regarding the right to protest. I think his voting intentions along with the way he conducts his MPs finances will provide a measure of the man. I also suspect that despite the current drop in the overall majority for this MP, this may well increase in two year’s time when the next General Election is held.
Old Bexley and Sidcup By-election Part 2
Political events in the constituency of Old Bexley and Sidcup have moved forward in the last few weeks, following on from the death of incumbent MP James Brokenshire on 8th of October. Although no formal announcement has yet been made regarding the date of the forthcoming by-election, the major political parties have started announcing the names of their respective candidates. There were initial concerns among some constituents that this safe Conservative Party seat may have been used as a means of parachuting in a candidate favoured by central office, rather than one determined by the local Conservative Association. Fortunately, that has not been the case. The UK Government currently enjoys a parliamentary majority of 79 seats and is therefore not in any urgent need of fast pathing further political allies.
Political events in the constituency of Old Bexley and Sidcup have moved forward in the last few weeks, following on from the death of incumbent MP James Brokenshire on 8th of October. Although no formal announcement has yet been made regarding the date of the forthcoming by-election, the major political parties have started announcing the names of their respective candidates. There were initial concerns among some constituents that this safe Conservative Party seat may have been used as a means of parachuting in a candidate favoured by central office, rather than one determined by the local Conservative Association. Fortunately, that has not been the case. The UK Government currently enjoys a parliamentary majority of 79 seats and is therefore not in any urgent need of fast pathing further political allies.
At present three candidates have been confirmed as standing for election. Louie French who is standing for The Conservative Party. Mr French has been a Bexley councillor for the last eight years and was Deputy Leader of Bexley Council from 2018 to 2021. He is a resident of the Borough and has a background in the financial services industry, working in the City of London. The late James Brokenshire was both a friend and mentor to Louie, therefore from a party political perspective, he is a logical choice to stand as The Conservative Party candidate. His existing familiarity with the borough and its constituents offers practical continuity. Considering the voting habits of constituents and the historical track record of by-elections held in Old Bexley and Sidcup, unless something radical occurs it is safe to consider that Louie French is the favourite candidate to win the seat.
Daniel Francis, a Bexley councillor and former leader of Bexley’s Labour group on the council, has been selected as Labour’s parliamentary candidate for the upcoming Old by-election. Daniel Francis represents Belvedere Ward on Bexley Council and grew up locally. He is married with two primary school aged children, one of whom has cerebral palsy and he campaigns on accessibility issues. Mr Francis served as leader of Bexley Labour group from 2017 to 2021 and is the shadow cabinet member for environment, transport and leisure. He was first elected to the council in 2000. In the 2019 election, Labour polled 23.5% of the vote. Since the constituency of Old Bexley and Sidcup was created in 1983 the electorate has only elected Conservative Members of Parliament.
The third candidate to be announced is Richard Tice, the leader of the party Reform UK. Formerly known as the Brexit Party, Reform UK is now presenting itself as a broader political entity with policies encompassing wider and more traditional issues. The party lost its 29 MEPs when the UK left the EU on 31 January 2020. At present it has three councillors nationally. Reform UK has been seeking parliamentary seats since 2019 but has not been successful so far. Mr Tice is a British businessman and CEO of the property investment firm. It will be interesting to see whether the presence of Richard Tice as both a candidate and the leader of his party will gain any traction with constituents and whether Reform UK can transition successfully from a single issue party. Furthermore, will his participation in the by-election increase media attention?
Old Bexley and Sidcup By-election Part 1
Last week James Brokenshire, MP for the constituency of Old Bexley and Sidcup, died of lung cancer at the age of 53. He had held this parliamentary seat since 2010 and maintained a strong majority throughout the 2015, 2017 and 2019 general elections. Hence the constituency of Old Bexley and Sidcup is considered a “safe seat” for the Conservative Party. In fact it has only ever returned MPs from that party since its creation in 1983. As a result of Mr Brokenshire’s death, there will now be a by-election held in the constituency of Old Bexley and Sidcup to return a new MP to parliament. What makes this local election a little more interesting than usual, is that it will not be taking place against a wider ongoing national election. Therefore, there is scope that local issues may well play a greater part in the electioneering of all participating parties.
Last week James Brokenshire, MP for the constituency of Old Bexley and Sidcup, died of lung cancer at the age of 53. He had held this parliamentary seat since 2010 and maintained a strong majority throughout the 2015, 2017 and 2019 general elections. Hence the constituency of Old Bexley and Sidcup is considered a “safe seat” for the Conservative Party. In fact it has only ever returned MPs from that party since its creation in 1983. As a result of Mr Brokenshire’s death, there will now be a by-election held in the constituency of Old Bexley and Sidcup to return a new MP to parliament. What makes this local election a little more interesting than usual, is that it will not be taking place against a wider ongoing national election. Therefore, there is scope that local issues may well play a greater part in the electioneering of all participating parties.
The parliamentary procedure for holding a by-election are as follows. The Chief Whip of the political party whose MP held the vacant seat starts the process by “moving the Writ”. This is a motion requesting “that the Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to make out a new Writ for the electing of a Member to serve in this present Parliament for the constituency of .... in the room of…”. The Speaker puts the question to MPs to decide whether to agree to the motion. If MPs agree it becomes an Order for the Speaker. The Speaker then issues a Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown who then sends the writ to the Returning Officer, who is responsible for the administration of the by-election. A new Writ is usually issued within three months of the vacancy. The by-election timetable is between 21 and 27 working days from the issuing of the writ.
As the current UK government enjoys a majority of over 80 seats, there is no pressing political need to hold this by-election as soon as possible. Therefore it seems logical that it will more than likely happen in early 2022. However, nothing is in tablets of stone so there is a possibility it could take place prior to Christmas, as did the last General election in 2019. A more important factor than the prospective date, is the issue of the candidates fielded by each respective party. As mentioned previously, Old Bexley and Sidcup is a safe seat for the Conservative Party. Hence, it is broadly expected that whoever becomes the Conservative candidate will subsequently win the by-election, due to the established voting patterns of the constituents. Old Bexley and Sidcup is a predominantly white, middle-class suburb of South-East London and as such is seen as a Tory “heartland”.
Like any political party, the Conservatives have their own unique set of rules with regard to candidate selection. In the past, Conservative party selection was largely in the control of the local Constituency Associations, however there was an approved list held at party HQ to be considered. In recent years the approved list has been replaced and a more equitable assessment board convened ensuring greater ethnic diversity and more female representation. However, local Constituency Associations still have a major say in candidate selection. Therefore under normal circumstances, there shouldn’t be any controversy surrounding the new Conservative candidate. However, the current Prime Minister Boris Johnson isn’t known for being a “stickler for the rules”. There is a degree of concern among the constituents of Old Bexley and Sidcup, as to whether a candidate could be “imposed” and parachuted into a convenient safe seat.
Time will tell as to what happens next. There is scope for the entire by-election to be a straightforward and uncontroversial process. Equally, things may go the opposite way. UK politics have become very unsettled in the last six years, Traditional voting patterns, party loyalties and general public opinions have shifted and not necessarily along traditional party lines. Furthermore, the Conservative party has radically changed since 2019. Many moderate MPs did not stand for re-election in the last general election. Although Old Bexley and Sidcup may still be a Tory safe seat, that doesn’t mean that the constituency is by default, well disposed toward Boris Johnson and his particular brand of politics. It will be interesting to see if such sentiments are reflected in the by-election.