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What do Farage's constituents think about his resignation?

Image source, Jodie Halford/BBC

Image caption,

Graham Smith said people were trying to "poison" the atmosphere around Nigel Farage

By Lewis Adams,Essex and Jodie Halford,in Frinton-on-Sea

Published 7 July 2026

People living in Nigel Farage's constituency have shared contrasting feelings of frustration and support after he resigned as their local MP.

The Reform UK leader triggered a by-election earlier, but vowed to fight to regain his now vacated Clacton seat in Essex when voters returned to the polls.

It comes amid a row over his financial support, after the Sunday Times reported he had not declared benefits and questions were raised about a £5m gift.

Image source, Jodie Halford/BBC

Image caption,

Memmzy Ozy said he trusted Farage as his MP

Graham Smith pledged to vote for Farage again, alleging there had been a campaign against him.

"Everybody who can is trying to poison the political atmosphere against him," said Smith, speaking on Connaught Avenue in Frinton.

"I think he's a breath of fresh air in politics and I really don't care if he's got six houses, after all that's gone on in the Labour party and the Tory party in the past."

Is Farage's resignation honourable or a psychological game?

*   Published 7 hours ago

Memmzy Ozy, a barber in Frinton, said: "He's alright, you know. I trust Nigel. Hopefully he'll be the winner."

The 31-year-old said he agreed with Farage's policies on illegal immigration.

Figure caption,

Frankie Ashworth said voters would be "stupid" to re-elect Farage

Dean Gardiner, who owns a shoe shop on Connaught Avenue, said: "Perhaps [the by-election] will straighten things out and the public will either show their support or they won't.

"I think more people will vote for him, I certainly will."

However, 18-year-old Frankie Ashworth, from Clacton, said she disagreed with the Reform UK leader on most subjects.

"I don't really want my child to grow up in a country with Nigel Farage being a politician," she said.

"I hope the local people aren't stupid enough to vote him back in and no, I definitely won't be voting for him."

Image source, Jodie Halford/BBC

Image caption,

Denise Webb accused Farage of being "not a very nice man"

Denise Webb, a 61-year-old who works as a support worker in the area, accused Farage of being "biased", "negative" and "not a very nice man".

She added: "His idea of getting [illegal immigrants] out is not going to work because who's going to fill all of those places?

"I hope that people will actually look at what they're voting for this time."

Callers to BBC Essex have also been having their say.

Mark, from Jaywick, said: "All we hear all the time is promises, promises, promises. They get elected, they get placed in Parliament… And nothing ever happens.

"We watched this space, we live in this space and he hasn't done nothing."

More from Essex

Clacton-on-Sea resident Ted added: "I quite like the bloke, but if he's going to do what he's done now [again], you think what's the point of voting him in again?"

He questioned if it was a popularity contest for Farage, adding: "It's just a very, very strange decision."

A spokesman for Tendring District Council confirmed that Farage had offered to cover the cost of the by-election.

But they added: "General election (and parliamentary by-election) costs are covered by central government, so it is a matter for them."

Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? Contact us below.

Figure caption,

Nigel Farage resigns: What’s next for Clacton?

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More on this story

Farage resigns as MP and vows to fight by-election amid finances row

*   Published 15 hours ago

Why is Farage facing renewed scrutiny over his finances?

*   Published 18 hours ago

Farage says he's 'done no wrongdoing' after benefits from ally not declared

*   Published 1 day ago

From other local news sites

Essex neo-Nazi jailed after being foiled by undercover MI5 agents

*   External [Basildon Evening Echo](https://www.echo-news.co.uk/)

Tendring Families First charity launches fundraising challenge

*   External [Clacton, Frinton & Walton Gazette](https://www.clactonandfrintongazette.co.uk/)

What is the process when an MP resigns and why was it put in place?

*   External [Braintree & Witham Times](https://www.braintreeandwithamtimes.co.uk/)

Care provider rated 'inadequate' and placed into special measures

*   External [Thurrock Gazette](https://www.thurrockgazette.co.uk/)

Nigel Farage speaks in first media interview since shock resignation

*   External [Maldon & Burnham Standard](https://www.maldonandburnhamstandard.co.uk/)

Woodland bird disappearing from Essex as populations drops nearly 50 per cent

*   External [Harwich and Manningtree Standard](https://www.harwichandmanningtreestandard.co.uk/)

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What do Farage's constituents think about his resignation?

What do Farage's constituents think about his resignation?

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