2026: Week 27 - Farage, By-Elections and Iran
It’s been a turbulent week for some in Parliament, notably Nigel Farage, who last Tuesday announced he would be resigning as MP for Clacton-on-Sea, before swiftly announcing he would stand in the ensuing by-election.
He framed it as “the people against the establishment” with a speech littered with falsehoods, including the tasteless claim that he is the most “physically and verbally attacked politician of modern times”. Whilst I don’t disagree Farage has encountered perhaps more than his fair share of unwelcome attention from some quarters, to state that no other politician has suffered attacks like him is simply not true. Has he forgotten that in the last 10 years 2 MPs have been murdered simply for doing their jobs? To paint himself as a victim in this way completely devalues the memory of Jo Cox and David Amess, dedicated public servants who valued their electorates.
As it stands today, all the major political parties have announced they will not be contesting this by election, and Ed Davey has gone further, writing to the Government asking them to prevent this resignation until all the parliamentary investigations into Farage’s financial affairs are completed.
He has done nothing for his constituents, instead he has focused on lining his own pockets. In the 2 years since being elected he has submitted only 20 written questions to the Government and mentioned Clacton a total of only 6 times when speaking in Parliament. Add to that he has held no in person surgeries in the town. The people of Clacton deserve better than a rubbish Trump tribute act.
For someone who claims to be on the side of ordinary people, this resignation charade of Farage’s will cost the taxpayer at the very least £250,000, but that is not something he has to concern himself with now he is bankrolled by some of the wealthiest people in the world.
In world news, it seems the ceasefire between the US and Iran is over, with the US again striking targets in Iran. This shows that Donald Trump is detached from reality. He claims that the Iran War is a tremendous success and what he is doing is right for the world, yet it has caused fuel and food prices to skyrocket and added to increasingly stretched global tensions by pushing Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz. If he becomes our next Prime Minister, Andy Burnham must urgently make his stance on foreign policy known. Liberal Democrats hope that, unlike his predecessor, he will not be afraid to stand up to Trump. Renewed US and Iranian strikes are only fuelling the risk of a return to full-scale war. This would be devastating, threatening citizens in the region and heaping more damaging Trumpflation onto British households.
Finally, as we are approaching recess please keep an eye out for me as I will be out and about in the constituency over the summer. I’m always happy to chat so if you spot me please do come over and say hello!