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It’s a bold strategy. Let’s see if it pays off for Nigel Farage – politicalbetting.com

SystemSystem Posts: 13,236
edited 2:20PM in General
It’s a bold strategy. Let’s see if it pays off for Nigel Farage – politicalbetting.com

Could we get a double by-election in Clacton?The parliamentary rules state that if a poltician 'ceases to be a member while an investigation is in progress' then the investigation is suspended 'until the Member is re-elected'So there is a world in which Nigel Farage wins the…

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Comments

  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 36,977
    How's the holiday? Clacton's nice this time of year.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 59,398
    edited 2:22PM
    First like Farage first time.

    Arrgh. Second like, well, who knows?
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 129,534
    edited 2:22PM

    How's the holiday? Clacton's nice this time of year.

    It's great, I've still got nearly another 3 weeks left.
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 19,896
    My hot takes on Clacton:

    1. Every party other than Reform, Conservatives and Restore are irrelevant, (ie Labour, Lib Dems and Greens would get 2% at best in a by-election situation). There will be no "unity candidate". The hopes of the semi-sensible rest entirely with the Conservatives, God help us.
    2. Restore should do very well. They can campaign on being both ideologically purer and less corrupt than Farage while targeting the same set of voters.
    3. To win the Conservatives need Restore to do well enough to take votes away from Farage, but not so well that they actually win.
    4. If neither of those things happen, Farage will win. This what I expect.
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 29,172
    I can't see 10% of voters bothering to sign a recall petition if there's literally only just been a by-election.

    I would vote against Farage if I were a local resident, and I would sign a recall petition if it were the sanction typically . . . but having just had one? Renders it moot.

    If the voters are happy to vote for a grifting Farage now, knowing what they do about him, shame on them but they've made their choice.
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 9,528
    Only two years nine months until Farage can start picking up his EU pension.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 32,866
    Not entirely sure how this strategy stops media questioning.
    Streisand Effect more likely.
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 19,896

    I can't see 10% of voters bothering to sign a recall petition if there's literally only just been a by-election.

    I would vote against Farage if I were a local resident, and I would sign a recall petition if it were the sanction typically . . . but having just had one? Renders it moot.

    If the voters are happy to vote for a grifting Farage now, knowing what they do about him, shame on them but they've made their choice.

    I think so too. If you have just voted for Farage, how likely are you to change your choice if imposed on to vote again via recall?
  • CharlieSharkCharlieShark Posts: 487
    Question Time By-Election Special. Farage one side of Fiona Bruce, Count Binface the other. It would end Farage as a serious politician.
  • SirNorfolkPassmoreSirNorfolkPassmore Posts: 7,614

    I can't see 10% of voters bothering to sign a recall petition if there's literally only just been a by-election.

    I would vote against Farage if I were a local resident, and I would sign a recall petition if it were the sanction typically . . . but having just had one? Renders it moot.

    If the voters are happy to vote for a grifting Farage now, knowing what they do about him, shame on them but they've made their choice.

    I think at least 10% of the population, even of Clacton, loathe him enough to do it.

    The justification, surely, would be, "You campaigned for the last by-election proclaiming your complete innocence... and were then proved to be guilty, so the facts have changed."
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 36,977
    dixiedean said:

    Not entirely sure how this strategy stops media questioning.
    Streisand Effect more likely.

    The other problem is that while one donor looks above board in a shady industry, the other one has a more nuanced cv.
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 72,635
    edited 2:29PM
    Sky

    Reform will cover the cost of the election

    How does that work ?
  • DoctorGDoctorG Posts: 843
    Tories are 11/2 on ladbrokes and 6.6 on betfair for the Clacton by election.

    Punters money is going on Reform right now
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 79,912

    Sky

    Reform will cover the cost of the election

    How does that work ?

    They will be using this £5 million?
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 24,744
    edited 2:36PM
    FF43 said:

    I can't see 10% of voters bothering to sign a recall petition if there's literally only just been a by-election.

    I would vote against Farage if I were a local resident, and I would sign a recall petition if it were the sanction typically . . . but having just had one? Renders it moot.

    If the voters are happy to vote for a grifting Farage now, knowing what they do about him, shame on them but they've made their choice.

    I think so too. If you have just voted for Farage, how likely are you to change your choice if imposed on to vote again via recall?
    The recall petition would only require about 8,000 people to sign it to be successful. Are we really saying there won't be a hard core of people so disgusted by Farage that they would be desperate for another go to get rid of him?

    And it depends on how close the result was in the first by-election. Sure, if Farage wins more than 50% of the vote a rerun looks futile, but if the winning margin is below 1,000 votes then it's a bit different.
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 19,896

    I can't see 10% of voters bothering to sign a recall petition if there's literally only just been a by-election.

    I would vote against Farage if I were a local resident, and I would sign a recall petition if it were the sanction typically . . . but having just had one? Renders it moot.

    If the voters are happy to vote for a grifting Farage now, knowing what they do about him, shame on them but they've made their choice.

    I think at least 10% of the population, even of Clacton, loathe him enough to do it.

    The justification, surely, would be, "You campaigned for the last by-election proclaiming your complete innocence... and were then proved to be guilty, so the facts have changed."
    Possible, but if Farage wins on a 40% to 50% vote share the first time what proportion of that bloc will switch their choices when forced to vote a second time? The 10% + who forced the recall are irrelevant if the rest were fine with Farage.
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 37,622

    Sky

    Reform will cover the cost of the election

    How does that work ?

    Surely that would be illegal?
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 24,744

    Sky

    Reform will cover the cost of the election

    How does that work ?

    Anyone can donate money to the Exchequer.
  • boulayboulay Posts: 9,176

    Sky

    Reform will cover the cost of the election

    How does that work ?

    Nigel found a birthday card from a friend in a pile of unopened post with £250,000 cash in it so will use that.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 32,866
    There is also the possibility that Farage could totally lose it in this campaign.
    I mean his temper that is. He doesn't really do calm under pressure.
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 72,635
    Farage looks as if has kept Trump - Starmer and NATO off the headlines
  • nico67nico67 Posts: 8,460
    If Clacton votes for Farage again it should be nuked from orbit ! It’s the only way to be sure that the stupidity virus can no longer continue to pollute the UK gene pool !
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 129,534

    Sky

    Reform will cover the cost of the election

    How does that work ?

    The Local Authority will say the by-election will cost this amount and Reform do a BACS/CHAPS payment.
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 29,172

    Sky

    Reform will cover the cost of the election

    How does that work ?

    There are five million ways that can work.
  • El_CapitanoEl_Capitano Posts: 4,307
    In other news, we are possibly due an announcement on the next round of unitary councils this week.
  • RattersRatters Posts: 2,100
    The optimal scenario is:

    1) No unity candidate but Labour and Lib Dems field paper candidates and don't bother campaigning other than to attack Farage. They can't win.

    2) Tories have a sensible local candidate, perhaps a business man/woman. Portray themselves as the responsible party.

    3) Restore campaign well from the right as the ideologically pure / non corrupt anti-immigrant party.

    4) Farage spend a lot of the campaign answering questions about his various unorthodox financial affairs.

    Maybe I'm being overly optimistic but I think the Tories could come through the middle of a split Reform/Restore vote to win.
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 19,896

    FF43 said:

    I can't see 10% of voters bothering to sign a recall petition if there's literally only just been a by-election.

    I would vote against Farage if I were a local resident, and I would sign a recall petition if it were the sanction typically . . . but having just had one? Renders it moot.

    If the voters are happy to vote for a grifting Farage now, knowing what they do about him, shame on them but they've made their choice.

    I think so too. If you have just voted for Farage, how likely are you to change your choice if imposed on to vote again via recall?
    The recall petition would only require about 8,000 people to sign it to be successful. Are we really saying there won't be a hard core of people so disgusted by Farage that they would be desperate for another go to get rid of him?

    And it depends on how close the result was in the first by-election. Sure, if Farage wins more than 50% of the vote a rerun looks futile, but if the winning margin is below 1,000 votes then it's a bit different.
    IF the winning margin is below 1000...

    But if it isn't? Farage has essentially nothing to lose on this throw of the dice. None of us know what will happen but Farage has a very good chance of a more than 1000 margin.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 81,283

    Sky

    Reform will cover the cost of the election

    How does that work ?

    The Local Authority will say the by-election will cost this amount and Reform do a BACS/CHAPS payment.
    Quite simple really.
  • TazTaz Posts: 29,200
    In other news 😂😂😂😂


  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 24,744
    Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Finance has cancelled the weekly sale of government bonds again, for the second time in three weeks. Last week they held a sale, but it was only for 10 billion rubles (about £100m).

    The yields on Russian government bonds have been steadily increasing recently.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 64,745
    Ratters said:

    The optimal scenario is:

    1) No unity candidate but Labour and Lib Dems field paper candidates and don't bother campaigning other than to attack Farage. They can't win.

    2) Tories have a sensible local candidate, perhaps a business man/woman. Portray themselves as the responsible party.

    3) Restore campaign well from the right as the ideologically pure / non corrupt anti-immigrant party.

    4) Farage spend a lot of the campaign answering questions about his various unorthodox financial affairs.

    Maybe I'm being overly optimistic but I think the Tories could come through the middle of a split Reform/Restore vote to win.

    That's possible: if Reform and Restore were on 55%, then with Restore getting around 15%, and with the Conservative on 40% it would be neck and neck.

    It's not *likely*, but it's certainly possible.

    The 1.7s on Farage available on Betfair look low stakes value to me.
  • DougSealDougSeal Posts: 13,578
    Someone on here, only a day or two ago I think, said the donations story had not cut through. If that is right then this doesn't look like a masterstroke by Nige. Streisand effect
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 24,744
    edited 2:49PM
    FF43 said:

    FF43 said:

    I can't see 10% of voters bothering to sign a recall petition if there's literally only just been a by-election.

    I would vote against Farage if I were a local resident, and I would sign a recall petition if it were the sanction typically . . . but having just had one? Renders it moot.

    If the voters are happy to vote for a grifting Farage now, knowing what they do about him, shame on them but they've made their choice.

    I think so too. If you have just voted for Farage, how likely are you to change your choice if imposed on to vote again via recall?
    The recall petition would only require about 8,000 people to sign it to be successful. Are we really saying there won't be a hard core of people so disgusted by Farage that they would be desperate for another go to get rid of him?

    And it depends on how close the result was in the first by-election. Sure, if Farage wins more than 50% of the vote a rerun looks futile, but if the winning margin is below 1,000 votes then it's a bit different.
    IF the winning margin is below 1000...

    But if it isn't? Farage has essentially nothing to lose on this throw of the dice. None of us know what will happen but Farage has a very good chance of a more than 1000 margin.
    I've said as much upthread, I'm simply disagreeing on this making a big difference to him escaping a second by-election following a recall petition.

    If his support is strong enough to win a by-election very comfortably in these circumstances, then the likelihood is that a recall petition would fail anyway, as it did for some DUP MP in Antrim.
  • nico67nico67 Posts: 8,460
    Come on Egypt !
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 64,179
    DougSeal said:

    Someone on here, only a day or two ago I think, said the donations story had not cut through. If that is right then this doesn't look like a masterstroke by Nige. Streisand effect

    I think it was beginning to - a slow burn.

    This is an attempt to get ahead of it.
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 72,635
    Row on Sky between Boulton and Jenrick is embarrassing
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 64,179

    FF43 said:

    FF43 said:

    I can't see 10% of voters bothering to sign a recall petition if there's literally only just been a by-election.

    I would vote against Farage if I were a local resident, and I would sign a recall petition if it were the sanction typically . . . but having just had one? Renders it moot.

    If the voters are happy to vote for a grifting Farage now, knowing what they do about him, shame on them but they've made their choice.

    I think so too. If you have just voted for Farage, how likely are you to change your choice if imposed on to vote again via recall?
    The recall petition would only require about 8,000 people to sign it to be successful. Are we really saying there won't be a hard core of people so disgusted by Farage that they would be desperate for another go to get rid of him?

    And it depends on how close the result was in the first by-election. Sure, if Farage wins more than 50% of the vote a rerun looks futile, but if the winning margin is below 1,000 votes then it's a bit different.
    IF the winning margin is below 1000...

    But if it isn't? Farage has essentially nothing to lose on this throw of the dice. None of us know what will happen but Farage has a very good chance of a more than 1000 margin.
    I've said as much upthread, I'm simply disagreeing on this making a big difference to him escaping a second by-election following a recall petition.

    If his support is strong enough to win a by-election very comfortably in these circumstances, then the likelihood is that a recall petition would fail anyway, as it did for some DUP MP in Antrim.
    The DUP MP was The Wee Gobshite* - Ian Paisley Junior

    *a term used by some of his fathers supporters.
  • boulayboulay Posts: 9,176
    nico67 said:

    Come on Egypt !

    It’s “Eileen”, Nico, “Come on Eileen.”
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 36,977
    nico67 said:

    Come on Egypt !

    Mo vs Leo. A battle for the ages.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 60,344
    Nigel Farage: :lol:

    The grift that keeps on grifting :lol:
  • SirNorfolkPassmoreSirNorfolkPassmore Posts: 7,614
    FF43 said:

    I can't see 10% of voters bothering to sign a recall petition if there's literally only just been a by-election.

    I would vote against Farage if I were a local resident, and I would sign a recall petition if it were the sanction typically . . . but having just had one? Renders it moot.

    If the voters are happy to vote for a grifting Farage now, knowing what they do about him, shame on them but they've made their choice.

    I think at least 10% of the population, even of Clacton, loathe him enough to do it.

    The justification, surely, would be, "You campaigned for the last by-election proclaiming your complete innocence... and were then proved to be guilty, so the facts have changed."
    Possible, but if Farage wins on a 40% to 50% vote share the first time what proportion of that bloc will switch their choices when forced to vote a second time? The 10% + who forced the recall are irrelevant if the rest were fine with Farage.
    People in Clacton aren't necessarily the audience. Clacton is probably the best place in the UK for Reform - they elected a UKIP MP with a big majority some years ago (Douglas Carswell).

    The sequence of events is Farage campaigns on a platform of complete innocence on all charges, wins, is found guilty of all charges, and has to go back again on that basis. Now, I personally expect he'd still win as enough people in Clacton don't care he's a grifting conman who hangs out with convicted criminals... but it's the stench of corruption around Farage's carcass for months on end, whilst Burnham is getting on with running the country and Badenoch/Davey with holding him to account. The Reform hardcore won't care, but it's not very next-Prime Minister-y.
  • DoctorGDoctorG Posts: 843
    edited 2:56PM
    Ratters said:

    The optimal scenario is:

    1) No unity candidate but Labour and Lib Dems field paper candidates and don't bother campaigning other than to attack Farage. They can't win.

    2) Tories have a sensible local candidate, perhaps a business man/woman. Portray themselves as the responsible party.

    3) Restore campaign well from the right as the ideologically pure / non corrupt anti-immigrant party.

    4) Farage spend a lot of the campaign answering questions about his various unorthodox financial affairs.

    Maybe I'm being overly optimistic but I think the Tories could come through the middle of a split Reform/Restore vote to win.

    Yes, I agree with your analysis.

    Several things need to happen:

    *Burnham needs to soft pedal the by election, paper candidate and not camapign too hard for Labour
    *Restore grab a chunk of the Reform vote
    *Tories select a sensible pro business candidate, popular with all the locals and Clacton pensioners

    Also would be an advantage for Kemi if Farage continued to get hot under the collar and self destructed somewhat during the campaign.

    All of the above are possible, and he didn't break 50% of the vote last time (he got 46%)

    It's not naturally good territory for the Lib Dems or Greens so I don't expect them to put much effort in.

    Let's see what Rupert Lowe makes of it all later on. No love lost between them so Restore will surely stand
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 36,977

    DougSeal said:

    Someone on here, only a day or two ago I think, said the donations story had not cut through. If that is right then this doesn't look like a masterstroke by Nige. Streisand effect

    I think it was beginning to - a slow burn.

    This is an attempt to get ahead of it.
    Not sure. I'd not heard anyone mention it apart from politics junkies. Mind you, there's some sort of sports day in America grabbing most people's attention, and SW11, and some northerner in a Steve Jobs costume come to build the new Jerusalem.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 129,534
    If the Tories had any sense they'd pick the Proddy Vicar as their candidate again.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 40,706
    New YouGov

    Ref 25% (+1)
    Con 21% (+1)
    Lab 20% (nc)
    Grn 13% (nc)
    LD 12% (-1)
    Rest 3% (nc)

    https://x.com/PolliticsUK/status/2074410483956801845
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 40,706
    edited 2:59PM
    double post
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 36,977
    DoctorG said:

    Ratters said:

    The optimal scenario is:

    1) No unity candidate but Labour and Lib Dems field paper candidates and don't bother campaigning other than to attack Farage. They can't win.

    2) Tories have a sensible local candidate, perhaps a business man/woman. Portray themselves as the responsible party.

    3) Restore campaign well from the right as the ideologically pure / non corrupt anti-immigrant party.

    4) Farage spend a lot of the campaign answering questions about his various unorthodox financial affairs.

    Maybe I'm being overly optimistic but I think the Tories could come through the middle of a split Reform/Restore vote to win.

    Yes, I agree with your analysis.

    Several things need to happen:

    *Burnham needs to soft pedal the by election, paper candidate and not camapign too hard for Labour
    *Restore grab a chunk of the Reform vote
    *Tories select a sensible pro business candidate, popular with all the locals and Clacton pensioners

    Also would be an advantage for Kemi if Farage continued to get hot under the collar and seld destructed somewhat during the campaign.

    All of the above are possible, and he didn't break 50% of the vote last time (he got 46%)

    It's not naturally good territory for the Lib Dems or Greens so I don't expect them to put much effort in.

    Let's see what Rupert Lowe makes of it all later on. No love lost between them so Restore will surely stand
    Not a good look for Burnham though if his first act as PM is to enable a Conservative victory.
  • boulayboulay Posts: 9,176

    If the Tories had any sense they'd pick the Proddy Vicar as their candidate again.

    Isn’t Rev Ian Paisley dead?
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 60,344
    boulay said:

    If the Tories had any sense they'd pick the Proddy Vicar as their candidate again.

    Isn’t Rev Ian Paisley dead?
    "NEVER! NEVER! NEVER!"
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 129,534
    edited 3:02PM
    boulay said:

    If the Tories had any sense they'd pick the Proddy Vicar as their candidate again.

    Isn’t Rev Ian Paisley dead?
    Different Proddy Vicar.

    Before becoming the MP for Clacton Giles Watling played the Proddy Vicar in Bread.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giles_Watling

    The only Boswell daughter was Aveline (Gilly Coman/Melanie Hill), a colourful, enduring model who married Protestant vicar Oswald Carter (Giles Watling) at the end of series 4 (to staunchly-Catholic Nellie's outrage and who she would refer to as "The Proddy Vicar"); after trying to conceive throughout series 5, Aveline gives birth to Ursula in series 6.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_(TV_series)#Guest_appearances
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 64,745

    DoctorG said:

    Ratters said:

    The optimal scenario is:

    1) No unity candidate but Labour and Lib Dems field paper candidates and don't bother campaigning other than to attack Farage. They can't win.

    2) Tories have a sensible local candidate, perhaps a business man/woman. Portray themselves as the responsible party.

    3) Restore campaign well from the right as the ideologically pure / non corrupt anti-immigrant party.

    4) Farage spend a lot of the campaign answering questions about his various unorthodox financial affairs.

    Maybe I'm being overly optimistic but I think the Tories could come through the middle of a split Reform/Restore vote to win.

    Yes, I agree with your analysis.

    Several things need to happen:

    *Burnham needs to soft pedal the by election, paper candidate and not camapign too hard for Labour
    *Restore grab a chunk of the Reform vote
    *Tories select a sensible pro business candidate, popular with all the locals and Clacton pensioners

    Also would be an advantage for Kemi if Farage continued to get hot under the collar and seld destructed somewhat during the campaign.

    All of the above are possible, and he didn't break 50% of the vote last time (he got 46%)

    It's not naturally good territory for the Lib Dems or Greens so I don't expect them to put much effort in.

    Let's see what Rupert Lowe makes of it all later on. No love lost between them so Restore will surely stand
    Not a good look for Burnham though if his first act as PM is to enable a Conservative victory.
    On the other hand, the Reform/Restore vote being split two ways is pretty good news for him. And Labour isn't winning Clacton in a byelection in a month of Sundays.
  • RattersRatters Posts: 2,100

    DoctorG said:

    Ratters said:

    The optimal scenario is:

    1) No unity candidate but Labour and Lib Dems field paper candidates and don't bother campaigning other than to attack Farage. They can't win.

    2) Tories have a sensible local candidate, perhaps a business man/woman. Portray themselves as the responsible party.

    3) Restore campaign well from the right as the ideologically pure / non corrupt anti-immigrant party.

    4) Farage spend a lot of the campaign answering questions about his various unorthodox financial affairs.

    Maybe I'm being overly optimistic but I think the Tories could come through the middle of a split Reform/Restore vote to win.

    Yes, I agree with your analysis.

    Several things need to happen:

    *Burnham needs to soft pedal the by election, paper candidate and not camapign too hard for Labour
    *Restore grab a chunk of the Reform vote
    *Tories select a sensible pro business candidate, popular with all the locals and Clacton pensioners

    Also would be an advantage for Kemi if Farage continued to get hot under the collar and seld destructed somewhat during the campaign.

    All of the above are possible, and he didn't break 50% of the vote last time (he got 46%)

    It's not naturally good territory for the Lib Dems or Greens so I don't expect them to put much effort in.

    Let's see what Rupert Lowe makes of it all later on. No love lost between them so Restore will surely stand
    Not a good look for Burnham though if his first act as PM is to enable a Conservative victory.
    If Burnham has any sense he'll be setting his own agenda once PM and not let the by election dominate things.

    Dismiss it as Farage trying to escape parliamentary scrutiny and otherwise ignore.
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 37,622

    boulay said:

    If the Tories had any sense they'd pick the Proddy Vicar as their candidate again.

    Isn’t Rev Ian Paisley dead?
    Different Proddy Vicar.

    Before becoming the MP for Clacton Giles Watling played the Proddy Vicar in Bread.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giles_Watling

    The only Boswell daughter was Aveline (Gilly Coman/Melanie Hill), a colourful, enduring model who married Protestant vicar Oswald Carter (Giles Watling) at the end of series 4 (to staunchly-Catholic Nellie's outrage and who she would refer to as "The Proddy Vicar"); after trying to conceive throughout series 5, Aveline gives birth to Ursula in series 6.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_(TV_series)#Guest_appearances
    Giles Watling is local.
  • TheValiantTheValiant Posts: 2,150
    FPT:
    Nigelb said:

    Sweeney74 said:

    CLACTON BY-ELECTION CLAXON

    The standards investigation goes on anyway.
    It does, but I imagine Nigel's game is:

    If I win, then the public clearly think this donation rule is rubbish, and I'm vindicated (like Trump) and the investigations will be quietly dropped;
    If I lose, then I'm out of Parliament anyway, so sucks to be them.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 90,603

    Sky

    Reform will cover the cost of the election

    How does that work ?

    They have "written to Rachel Reeves".

    Just another example of Farage thinking he can buy his way in politics, perhaps.
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 25,752
    I cannot bring myself to wanting a Tory win.

    Can we have a White Suit please?
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 92,155

    Fuck The IOC.

    NEW: The IOC has lifted its ban on Russia, which was imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.

    IOC says its decision is because the Russian Olympic Committee no longer includes as its members any regional sports organisations in territories falling under the jurisdiction of Ukraine

    Few additional points

    - Russian athletes will have to be drug-tested by International Testing Agency due to concerns over Rusada
    - Russian government officials won't be invited to IOC events
    - Decision over anthem and flag at the LA Olympics to be taken at a later date


    https://x.com/seaningle/status/2074509777577680980

    FIFA bent as a 9 bob note....IOC says hold me beer....
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 25,752
    Andy_JS said:

    New YouGov

    Ref 25% (+1)
    Con 21% (+1)
    Lab 20% (nc)
    Grn 13% (nc)
    LD 12% (-1)
    Rest 3% (nc)

    https://x.com/PolliticsUK/status/2074410483956801845

    Burnham fans please explain.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 90,603
    Oh, and about that house.

    Nigel Farage is complaining about The Times publishing a picture of this house, owned by him, that’s been in the public domain for over a decade after (his) previously posing in front of it
    https://x.com/BenObeseJecty/status/2074486202569232432
  • nico67nico67 Posts: 8,460

    Fuck The IOC.

    NEW: The IOC has lifted its ban on Russia, which was imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.

    IOC says its decision is because the Russian Olympic Committee no longer includes as its members any regional sports organisations in territories falling under the jurisdiction of Ukraine

    Few additional points

    - Russian athletes will have to be drug-tested by International Testing Agency due to concerns over Rusada
    - Russian government officials won't be invited to IOC events
    - Decision over anthem and flag at the LA Olympics to be taken at a later date


    https://x.com/seaningle/status/2074509777577680980

    Fxcking disgrace ! And their justification is FIFA like !
  • TazTaz Posts: 29,200

    boulay said:

    If the Tories had any sense they'd pick the Proddy Vicar as their candidate again.

    Isn’t Rev Ian Paisley dead?
    Different Proddy Vicar.

    Before becoming the MP for Clacton Giles Watling played the Proddy Vicar in Bread.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giles_Watling

    The only Boswell daughter was Aveline (Gilly Coman/Melanie Hill), a colourful, enduring model who married Protestant vicar Oswald Carter (Giles Watling) at the end of series 4 (to staunchly-Catholic Nellie's outrage and who she would refer to as "The Proddy Vicar"); after trying to conceive throughout series 5, Aveline gives birth to Ursula in series 6.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_(TV_series)#Guest_appearances
    Excellent acting vintage.

    His father, Jack, was a class actor

    His sister, Deborah, played a Dr Who girl and naughty Norma in Danger UXB
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 92,155
    edited 3:10PM

    FPT:

    Nigelb said:

    Sweeney74 said:

    CLACTON BY-ELECTION CLAXON

    The standards investigation goes on anyway.
    It does, but I imagine Nigel's game is:

    If I win, then the public clearly think this donation rule is rubbish, and I'm vindicated (like Trump) and the investigations will be quietly dropped;
    If I lose, then I'm out of Parliament anyway, so sucks to be them.
    Its been reported by the BBC, that no, the parliament investigation is put on ice as no longer a member of parliament. If he wins, it will resume.

    It was also reported by the Telegraph earlier before this news that the expectation was the authorities wouldn't report before September.
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 25,752

    boulay said:

    If the Tories had any sense they'd pick the Proddy Vicar as their candidate again.

    Isn’t Rev Ian Paisley dead?
    Different Proddy Vicar.

    Before becoming the MP for Clacton Giles Watling played the Proddy Vicar in Bread.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giles_Watling

    The only Boswell daughter was Aveline (Gilly Coman/Melanie Hill), a colourful, enduring model who married Protestant vicar Oswald Carter (Giles Watling) at the end of series 4 (to staunchly-Catholic Nellie's outrage and who she would refer to as "The Proddy Vicar"); after trying to conceive throughout series 5, Aveline gives birth to Ursula in series 6.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_(TV_series)#Guest_appearances
    Bread was shit.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 90,603

    FPT:

    Nigelb said:

    Sweeney74 said:

    CLACTON BY-ELECTION CLAXON

    The standards investigation goes on anyway.
    It does, but I imagine Nigel's game is:

    If I win, then the public clearly think this donation rule is rubbish, and I'm vindicated (like Trump) and the investigations will be quietly dropped;
    If I lose, then I'm out of Parliament anyway, so sucks to be them.
    Rules are for the little people.
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 44,509
    Ratters said:

    The optimal scenario is:

    1) No unity candidate but Labour and Lib Dems field paper candidates and don't bother campaigning other than to attack Farage. They can't win.

    2) Tories have a sensible local candidate, perhaps a business man/woman. Portray themselves as the responsible party.

    3) Restore campaign well from the right as the ideologically pure / non corrupt anti-immigrant party.

    4) Farage spend a lot of the campaign answering questions about his various unorthodox financial affairs.

    Maybe I'm being overly optimistic but I think the Tories could come through the middle of a split Reform/Restore vote to win.

    Hope so. But you are being overly restrictive wanting (hoping) for the Cons to only have a business man or woman as candidate. We're a different party under Kemi now. Much more inclusive.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 64,179

    Andy_JS said:

    New YouGov

    Ref 25% (+1)
    Con 21% (+1)
    Lab 20% (nc)
    Grn 13% (nc)
    LD 12% (-1)
    Rest 3% (nc)

    https://x.com/PolliticsUK/status/2074410483956801845

    Burnham fans please explain.
    He’s not actually leader or PM yet?
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 90,603
    Summed up best by this quote.

    "Calling a by-election over the sovereign right of every MP to take secret gifts from a convicted criminal. What a time to be alive."

    Basically he's trying to be another Trump.
  • DougSealDougSeal Posts: 13,578

    Andy_JS said:

    New YouGov

    Ref 25% (+1)
    Con 21% (+1)
    Lab 20% (nc)
    Grn 13% (nc)
    LD 12% (-1)
    Rest 3% (nc)

    https://x.com/PolliticsUK/status/2074410483956801845

    Burnham fans please explain.
    He’s not actually leader or PM yet?
    Margin of error stuff
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 129,534

    boulay said:

    If the Tories had any sense they'd pick the Proddy Vicar as their candidate again.

    Isn’t Rev Ian Paisley dead?
    Different Proddy Vicar.

    Before becoming the MP for Clacton Giles Watling played the Proddy Vicar in Bread.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giles_Watling

    The only Boswell daughter was Aveline (Gilly Coman/Melanie Hill), a colourful, enduring model who married Protestant vicar Oswald Carter (Giles Watling) at the end of series 4 (to staunchly-Catholic Nellie's outrage and who she would refer to as "The Proddy Vicar"); after trying to conceive throughout series 5, Aveline gives birth to Ursula in series 6.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_(TV_series)#Guest_appearances
    Bread was shit.
    As a 7 year old I loved it.

    'Lilo Lil. She is a tart'!
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 19,896

    FF43 said:

    I can't see 10% of voters bothering to sign a recall petition if there's literally only just been a by-election.

    I would vote against Farage if I were a local resident, and I would sign a recall petition if it were the sanction typically . . . but having just had one? Renders it moot.

    If the voters are happy to vote for a grifting Farage now, knowing what they do about him, shame on them but they've made their choice.

    I think at least 10% of the population, even of Clacton, loathe him enough to do it.

    The justification, surely, would be, "You campaigned for the last by-election proclaiming your complete innocence... and were then proved to be guilty, so the facts have changed."
    Possible, but if Farage wins on a 40% to 50% vote share the first time what proportion of that bloc will switch their choices when forced to vote a second time? The 10% + who forced the recall are irrelevant if the rest were fine with Farage.
    People in Clacton aren't necessarily the audience. Clacton is probably the best place in the UK for Reform - they elected a UKIP MP with a big majority some years ago (Douglas Carswell).

    The sequence of events is Farage campaigns on a platform of complete innocence on all charges, wins, is found guilty of all charges, and has to go back again on that basis. Now, I personally expect he'd still win as enough people in Clacton don't care he's a grifting conman who hangs out with convicted criminals... but it's the stench of corruption around Farage's carcass for months on end, whilst Burnham is getting on with running the country and Badenoch/Davey with holding him to account. The Reform hardcore won't care, but it's not very next-Prime Minister-y.
    I agree with you on this. Farage could win the battle in Clacton while Reform loses the war in the UK. Smart tactics in Clacton, Farage's stronghold, becomes a dodgy manoeuvre visible from space anywhere there are competitive options. Time is also to Farage's disadvantage. He probably only has until the next general election, maybe three years, to break through to be the next prime minister. Any break in momentum will be fatal to him.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 129,534
    Taz said:

    boulay said:

    If the Tories had any sense they'd pick the Proddy Vicar as their candidate again.

    Isn’t Rev Ian Paisley dead?
    Different Proddy Vicar.

    Before becoming the MP for Clacton Giles Watling played the Proddy Vicar in Bread.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giles_Watling

    The only Boswell daughter was Aveline (Gilly Coman/Melanie Hill), a colourful, enduring model who married Protestant vicar Oswald Carter (Giles Watling) at the end of series 4 (to staunchly-Catholic Nellie's outrage and who she would refer to as "The Proddy Vicar"); after trying to conceive throughout series 5, Aveline gives birth to Ursula in series 6.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_(TV_series)#Guest_appearances
    Excellent acting vintage.

    His father, Jack, was a class actor

    His sister, Deborah, played a Dr Who girl and naughty Norma in Danger UXB
    I met Giles in 2014, lovely fella, absolutely charming.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 92,155
    edited 3:14PM
    Interesting that it was reported in the Sundays that the Tories had been put on readiness for by-election in Clacton. It was presumed that meant that report into Farage donation was incoming and he was going to get sanctioned (but Telegrpah says they are nowhere near ready to report).

    Did somebody leak within Reform (I presume close to Farage) to the Tories?
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 62,308
    Nigelb said:

    Oh, and about that house.

    Nigel Farage is complaining about The Times publishing a picture of this house, owned by him, that’s been in the public domain for over a decade after (his) previously posing in front of it
    https://x.com/BenObeseJecty/status/2074486202569232432

    Still a dick move from the Times though. They knew exactly what would be the response and did it anyway, the picture of the house wasn’t necessary for the story.
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 72,635
    edited 3:13PM
    Restore Britain will not stand according to Sky
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 129,534

    Interesting that it was reported in the Sundays that the Tories had been put on readiness for by-election in Clacton. It was presumed that meant that report into donation on Farage was incoming and he was going to get sanctioned (but Telegrpah says they are nowhere near ready to report). Did somebody leak from within Reform to the Tories?

    I think somebody very close to Nigel Farage is leaking all this stuff.

    My favourite theory is that it is his bodyguards.

    Farage gets £5 million for security and he pays his bodyguards minimum wage.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 73,025
    Another day of pointless theatricals from British Trump.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 129,534
    RUPERT LOWE will not stand a candidate in Clacton unless there is a second by-election following a ruling against Farage by the parliamentary commissioner for standards.

    https://x.com/GuidoFawkes/status/2074512029872795721
  • Sweeney74Sweeney74 Posts: 792

    boulay said:

    If the Tories had any sense they'd pick the Proddy Vicar as their candidate again.

    Isn’t Rev Ian Paisley dead?
    Different Proddy Vicar.

    Before becoming the MP for Clacton Giles Watling played the Proddy Vicar in Bread.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giles_Watling

    The only Boswell daughter was Aveline (Gilly Coman/Melanie Hill), a colourful, enduring model who married Protestant vicar Oswald Carter (Giles Watling) at the end of series 4 (to staunchly-Catholic Nellie's outrage and who she would refer to as "The Proddy Vicar"); after trying to conceive throughout series 5, Aveline gives birth to Ursula in series 6.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_(TV_series)#Guest_appearances
    Bread was shit.
    As a 7 year old I loved it.

    'Lilo Lil. She is a tart'!
    My Granny's Bucket
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 129,534
    Sweeney74 said:

    boulay said:

    If the Tories had any sense they'd pick the Proddy Vicar as their candidate again.

    Isn’t Rev Ian Paisley dead?
    Different Proddy Vicar.

    Before becoming the MP for Clacton Giles Watling played the Proddy Vicar in Bread.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giles_Watling

    The only Boswell daughter was Aveline (Gilly Coman/Melanie Hill), a colourful, enduring model who married Protestant vicar Oswald Carter (Giles Watling) at the end of series 4 (to staunchly-Catholic Nellie's outrage and who she would refer to as "The Proddy Vicar"); after trying to conceive throughout series 5, Aveline gives birth to Ursula in series 6.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_(TV_series)#Guest_appearances
    Bread was shit.
    As a 7 year old I loved it.

    'Lilo Lil. She is a tart'!
    My Granny's Bucket
    I was far too innocent to understand the blatant innuendo.

    Back in 2005 I rewatched the entire series.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 92,155
    edited 3:17PM

    Interesting that it was reported in the Sundays that the Tories had been put on readiness for by-election in Clacton. It was presumed that meant that report into donation on Farage was incoming and he was going to get sanctioned (but Telegrpah says they are nowhere near ready to report). Did somebody leak from within Reform to the Tories?

    I think somebody very close to Nigel Farage is leaking all this stuff.

    My favourite theory is that it is his bodyguards.

    Farage gets £5 million for security and he pays his bodyguards minimum wage.
    That can't be true. There is loads of work for personal protection / private security people, none of them do it for peanuts, unless they are genuinely big mates with the person they are protecting (and as with Farage it isn't a one off so even then they wouldn't do it).
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 72,635

    RUPERT LOWE will not stand a candidate in Clacton unless there is a second by-election following a ruling against Farage by the parliamentary commissioner for standards.

    https://x.com/GuidoFawkes/status/2074512029872795721

    Good response
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 129,534

    Interesting that it was reported in the Sundays that the Tories had been put on readiness for by-election in Clacton. It was presumed that meant that report into donation on Farage was incoming and he was going to get sanctioned (but Telegrpah says they are nowhere near ready to report). Did somebody leak from within Reform to the Tories?

    I think somebody very close to Nigel Farage is leaking all this stuff.

    My favourite theory is that it is his bodyguards.

    Farage gets £5 million for security and he pays his bodyguards minimum wage.
    That can't be true. There is loads of work for personal protection / private security people, none of them do it for peanuts, unless they are genuinely big mates with the person they are protecting (and as with Farage it isn't a one off so even then they wouldn't do it).
    I suspect if he is paying them decent money it's no way close to the £5 million
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 81,283

    RUPERT LOWE will not stand a candidate in Clacton unless there is a second by-election following a ruling against Farage by the parliamentary commissioner for standards.

    https://x.com/GuidoFawkes/status/2074512029872795721

    Good response
    Ceeding the entire ground to your principle opponent in your demographically most favourable seat ?!?!
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 81,283

    RUPERT LOWE will not stand a candidate in Clacton unless there is a second by-election following a ruling against Farage by the parliamentary commissioner for standards.

    https://x.com/GuidoFawkes/status/2074512029872795721

    Good response
    Ceeding the entire ground to your principle opponent in your demographically most favourable seat ?!?!
  • SirNorfolkPassmoreSirNorfolkPassmore Posts: 7,614

    RUPERT LOWE will not stand a candidate in Clacton unless there is a second by-election following a ruling against Farage by the parliamentary commissioner for standards.

    https://x.com/GuidoFawkes/status/2074512029872795721

    Very wise. I sometimes don't bother getting on a crowded tube train when I can see there's another a minute behind.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 92,155
    Ball is in Kemi's court. If she says the same as Restore, its all going to be giant waste of time as Count BinFace and the Monster Raving Loony Party stand and Farage wins by default.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 129,534
    Pulpstar said:

    RUPERT LOWE will not stand a candidate in Clacton unless there is a second by-election following a ruling against Farage by the parliamentary commissioner for standards.

    https://x.com/GuidoFawkes/status/2074512029872795721

    Good response
    Ceeding the entire ground to your principle opponent in your demographically most favourable seat ?!?!
    I know, utterly bizarre.
  • numbertwelvenumbertwelve Posts: 9,136
    edited 3:20PM
    A quick view:

    Pile on the Tories for Clacton, IMHO (assuming they stand a candidate).

    Voters don’t like being forced back to the polls.

    The Tories have been strong in the seat historically.

    Farage is looking increasingly ridiculous.

    Tories best off running a local candidate. I would normally suggest they use the opportunity to parachute someone back into Parliament but now isn’t the time to remind everyone of the last government and they need to trade off local links vs Farage’s carpetbagging.
  • nico67nico67 Posts: 8,460
    The opposition parties should all not stand a candidate , call the whole thing a waste of time and say they’ll wait for the investigation to report .

  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 24,744

    boulay said:

    If the Tories had any sense they'd pick the Proddy Vicar as their candidate again.

    Isn’t Rev Ian Paisley dead?
    "NEVER! NEVER! NEVER!"
    Not like you to get a quote wrong Sunil. It was:

    "NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! NEVER!"

    It's the fourth repetition that really makes the difference.
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 72,635

    Pulpstar said:

    RUPERT LOWE will not stand a candidate in Clacton unless there is a second by-election following a ruling against Farage by the parliamentary commissioner for standards.

    https://x.com/GuidoFawkes/status/2074512029872795721

    Good response
    Ceeding the entire ground to your principle opponent in your demographically most favourable seat ?!?!
    I know, utterly bizarre.
    Ed Davey makes the point the by election should not take place before the Parliamentary Commission report

    How many will now decide to sit this out
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 92,155
    edited 3:25PM

    Interesting that it was reported in the Sundays that the Tories had been put on readiness for by-election in Clacton. It was presumed that meant that report into donation on Farage was incoming and he was going to get sanctioned (but Telegrpah says they are nowhere near ready to report). Did somebody leak from within Reform to the Tories?

    I think somebody very close to Nigel Farage is leaking all this stuff.

    My favourite theory is that it is his bodyguards.

    Farage gets £5 million for security and he pays his bodyguards minimum wage.
    That can't be true. There is loads of work for personal protection / private security people, none of them do it for peanuts, unless they are genuinely big mates with the person they are protecting (and as with Farage it isn't a one off so even then they wouldn't do it).
    I suspect if he is paying them decent money it's no way close to the £5 million
    Over the course of many years, I think it will end up being a massive bill. Two things can be true at the same time, in that we are right to be very suspicious of the motivations behind somebody giving £5 million to a politicial figure and that it was seen as a convenient way of getting undeclared money (perhaps a via suggestion of one of those rascal lawyers types), but I can also believe over 10+ years he will run up millions in security costs.
  • FossFoss Posts: 2,842

    boulay said:

    If the Tories had any sense they'd pick the Proddy Vicar as their candidate again.

    Isn’t Rev Ian Paisley dead?
    "NEVER! NEVER! NEVER!"
    Not like you to get a quote wrong Sunil. It was:

    "NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! NEVER!"

    It's the fourth repetition that really makes the difference.
    Because comedy comes in threes?
  • nico67nico67 Posts: 8,460
    The Commons should refuse to agree to the motion regarding the writ and say the by- election should not happen until the investigation is concluded .
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 81,283
    Labour not running a candidate.

    Does Kemi ?
  • CookieCookie Posts: 17,713

    Sweeney74 said:

    boulay said:

    If the Tories had any sense they'd pick the Proddy Vicar as their candidate again.

    Isn’t Rev Ian Paisley dead?
    Different Proddy Vicar.

    Before becoming the MP for Clacton Giles Watling played the Proddy Vicar in Bread.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giles_Watling

    The only Boswell daughter was Aveline (Gilly Coman/Melanie Hill), a colourful, enduring model who married Protestant vicar Oswald Carter (Giles Watling) at the end of series 4 (to staunchly-Catholic Nellie's outrage and who she would refer to as "The Proddy Vicar"); after trying to conceive throughout series 5, Aveline gives birth to Ursula in series 6.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_(TV_series)#Guest_appearances
    Bread was shit.
    As a 7 year old I loved it.

    'Lilo Lil. She is a tart'!
    My Granny's Bucket
    I was far too innocent to understand the blatant innuendo.

    Back in 2005 I rewatched the entire series.
    How had it aged? I don't remember it fondly but according to Wiki at its peak it was attracting audiences of 21 million (!) so must have had something going for it. Like you, I may have been slightly too young first time around.

  • Sweeney74Sweeney74 Posts: 792
    nico67 said:

    The opposition parties should all not stand a candidate , call the whole thing a waste of time and say they’ll wait for the investigation to report .

    If he's stood-down with immediate effect, does that not mean that since he's no longer an MP that the investigation is in effect paused?
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