I don't really understand what Farage is up to (maybe Innula can enlighten me). Am I right in thinking that he is forcing a by-election in the hope of winning it and thus proving that he still has sufficient influence with voters? If true, that seems like a very dangerous tactic (personally I hope he fails!), even though he originally won the seat with a good majority.
He's certainly trying to take control of the narrative, a remarkably Trumpian gesture, but it seems to be backfiring. All the other main parties, including the far-right Restore, other than the Greens have said they won't contest the election. Initially the Greens have said they will, but that was before everyone else stood down, leaving us with the delightful prospect of a head-to-head between Farage and Count Binface, which the latter might well win.
As it stands, only Count Binface will run against Farage
metro.co.uk
Even assuming Farage does win, that will achieve little for him since it won't stop the various investigations into his failure to declare funding from questionable sources, which could well lead to a recall petition and a further by-election in which the other parties will certainly stand.
It might mean he doesn't have to declare some of the more recent donations to his slush fund -- I don't know, but I've seen it suggested -- but that's a narrow, technical point.
Also
Revealed: Farage’s £5m gift reported to UK crime agency over money laundering concerns
ETA: Here's an explainer --
Why Farage is quitting as an MP amid scrutiny over gifts – but will stand again
ETA2: And an interesting take from Robert Peston (political editor of ITV news)
It was supposed to be a by-election with the purpose for Nigel Farage of clearing his name in the court of public opinion, or at least in a people’s court consisting of Clacton-on-Sea’s voters.
peston.substack.com
www.bbc.co.uk
thetab.com
thenewworld.substack.com
rolleyes
