- Nigel Farage , leader of Reform UK , announced his resignation as an MP to trigger a by-election in his Clacton -on-Sea constituency, stating it would allow voters to challenge the establishment.
- His political opponents have criticised this move as a "gimmick" and a "desperate stunt" designed to divert attention from ongoing questions regarding donations he has received.
- Kemi Badenoch , leader of the Conservatives, declared that her party would not field a candidate in what she termed a "fake" by-election, suggesting Farage's resignation is an attempt to escape scrutiny over his finances.
- Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged the government to prevent the by-election from proceeding until a standards investigation into Farage's conduct is concluded, advocating for other parties to stand aside if it goes ahead.
- Labour figures, including a spokesperson for Andy Burnham and Sir Keir Starmer , echoed these sentiments, accusing Farage of being "up to his neck in sleaze" and using the by-election as a distraction from serious allegations.
IN FULL
