(Picture: AP Photo/Thomas Krych)
It could be Nigel Farage versus Count Binface in the battle for Clacton’s hearts and minds after all the main political parties dropped out of the running for his by-election.
Labour, Conservatives and Restore Britain have all ruled themselves out of running against Nigel Farage for his Clacton by-election triggered by him standing down amid questions over his £5million gifts.
But Count Binface, the intergalactic crusader, has told the other leaders ‘leave him to me’.
Kemi Badenoch said: ‘We will be standing a candidate in the real by-election, which will follow the standards investigation into Nigel Farage’s fishy finances.
‘We will not be standing a candidate in the fake by-election that Farage is causing to distract people from what is happening.
‘We need to let that investigation run its course, and I think the reason why Nigel Farage has resigned is because he’s terrified that he’s going to be found to have done something wrong.
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‘The best thing for him to have done would have been to call a press conference and explain what he did with the money, apologise if needs be, and that would have been the end of it.
‘Instead, he has been running away from scrutiny. No one is bigger than Parliament. We all have to register our interests.
‘We, the Conservative Party, are very focused on uniting the country around sensible policies.
‘We’re going to focus on getting Britain working again and showing some common sense, not throwing random by-elections out because we’re having a hissy fit.’
Labour will not stand a candidate in the Clacton by-election triggered by Nigel Farage, saying the investigation into his finances should run its course.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: ‘Nigel Farage is engulfed in a sleaze scandal and he’s desperately trying to change the subject.
‘It’s pathetic, and the Labour Party is not going to indulge it.
‘Labour’s ruling body, the National Executive Committee, has decided not to stand a candidate in this circus.
‘Instead, Labour will remain focused on delivering for working people and holding Reform to account.
‘Farage should let the parliamentary investigation into his finances run its course and face the consequences.’
But one challenger has arisen.
Count Binface has said: ‘Labour, Tories, Lib Dems and Greens: I demand you stand down in Clacton.
‘I will be a unity candidate and pledge to build at least one affordable house. Nigel Farage says he wants The People versus the Establishment. So be it.
‘Leave him to me.’
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