TENDRING residents who turned out to vote in a historic by-election shared mixed views as they headed to the polls in the heat on Thursday to decide their next MP.
The by-election, triggered by the resignation of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage as Clacton's MP, had a record 34 candidates on the ballot paper - largely independent or from marginal political parties after the mainstream parties refused to field candidates.
Speaking to the Gazette on polling day, voters shared their views on the controversial by-election which put Clacton on the global political map.
Reform supporter Lawrence Knight, 60, proudly displayed a cardboard cut-out of Farage next to his home in Frinton Road, Kirby Cross. Further along the street were also lifesize cut-outs of Count Binface - real name Jon Harvey.
Knight said: “Why didn’t Labour and Conservatives put someone up if they felt Reform is so bad? He should be easy to beat if he is as bad as they say he is.
“It’s a shame, he’s had to do this [the by-election] to prove himself and to get them off his back - nothing has been done wrong.
“I’m not saying there hasn’t been things which look wrong. but that’s politics.
“I voted for Nigel. I’ve known him now since he was down at the Frinton Lawn Tennis Club doing his pitch before he got elected the first time.
“I’ve got to know him, and he’s the most honest, genuine person I can say I’ve ever met. He’s more educated than the others put together - he’s a businessman.
“I think he is completely genuine.
“I’ve always voted Conservative but probably didn’t vote for 20 odd years if I’m honest. I’m 60 this year. You’ve got to start having a voice - why not?
“He’s obviously the biggest name in politics now, he’s going to get attention, and he’s a controversial character. People can’t deal with his intellect, that’s the problem.”
A Frinton resident who only wanted to be known as Helen, 71, arrived at her polling station at Frinton Free Church, Connaught Avenue, and said she decided she simply could not vote for any of the candidates.
"I decided that I couldn't vote for any of the people that were on the ballot paper," she said.
“I wanted a more serious candidate, and I didn't want Farage.
"I had to come, I had to vote, I've never not voted. I've always known exactly who I want to vote for.
"This time I couldn't vote for those people, so I've spoilt my ballot paper.".
Asked if she thinks the by-election had made a mockery of the political system, she believes it has and said it was "laughable".
One voter, who did not want to be named, told the Gazette he believed “a fortune of public money” was being wasted and saw the whole by-election as a “publicity event”.
At the polling station at the Brotherhood Community Rooms, in St Osyth Road, Clacton, a 37-year-old man called Rickie wore a Count Binface T-shirt as he cast his vote for the self-proclaimed intergalactic warrior.
Speaking to the Gazette, he said: “The fact that people would rather put their faith in a bin than someone dressed in a suit, says all it needs to say.
“Politics in this country is such a joke. To be honest, I’d rather put my faith in someone dressed as a bin.”
Eileen Fletcher, 82, has lived in Clacton for 20 years, and said she voted for Mr Farage at the Saint Mark’s Church polling station in Lymington Avenue.
She said: “It is a disgrace that the other main parties didn’t stand.
“They’ve tried to make a mockery of it. There was a letter from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch telling us who to vote for when she has not even put up a candidate, which is disgusting.
“Nigel has never had a chance, they don’t want him to have a chance, I want him to have a chance.
“They’ve all said vote for Count Binface - you’ve got to be an idiot to vote for a tin can.
"I know there is a man under it, but it’s taking the micky out of Clacton voters.
“We are intelligent people, we’re not all idiots, and I’ll back Nigel to the end.
“If he makes a mess of it, then fair enough, we’ll class him with the rest of the idiots, but I want to give him a chance.”
The 34 candidates were reduced to 33 after it was announced Abi Hookway had dropped out due to alleged threats against her.
Farage announced his resignation last month amid an ongoing parliamentary investigation into whether he properly declared a £5million gift from donor Christopher Harborne. The Reform UK leader denies the claims.
