Britain’s Reform Party leader Nigel Farage poses for photographers with an ice-cream on the beach after casting his vote at a polling station in Walton on the Naze, England, Thursday, May 7, 2026.(AP Photo/Richard Pelham)Online critics have pointed out the glaring flaw in Nigel Farage’s claim that the upcoming Clacton by-election will be a “people versus the establishment” contest.
The Reform UK leader trigger the poll by dramatically quitting as MP for the seat on Tuesday.
It came as parliament’s standards watchdog investigates a £5 million gift Farage received from a Thailand-based crypto billionaire shortly before becoming an MP.
Questions have also been raised about the financial support he was given by convicted fraudster George Cottrell but did not declare.
Farage says he is the victim of a witch-hunt and it should be up to the voters of Clacton to decide whether or not he continues in parliament.
In a post on X on Thursday, he said: “In 2024 I told Clacton that I would fight for them against the establishment. They are trying to destroy me for it – but I will never stop.”
However, users of the social media platform were quick to point out that his main rival in the seat is Count Binface since Labour, the Tories, Lib Dems, Greens and Restore Britain have all refused to put up candidates.
You’re not fighting the establishment. You’re fighting a bin. https://t.co/O3p8tnT8ko
— Labour Press (@labourpress) July 9, 2026
You’re fighting a bin, FFS.
You are the establishment. https://t.co/AVVe7YsGRo
— Josh Babarinde OBE MP (@JoshBabarinde) July 9, 2026
But you’re fighting a bin… https://t.co/PIghUcXB21
— Damian Low (@DamianLow3) July 9, 2026
You’re fighting a bin mate. https://t.co/fljQB2oYpl
— Jonathan Brash MP (@JonathanBrash) July 9, 2026
You’re not fighting the establishment Nigel, you’re fighting Count Binface. pic.twitter.com/wIxo7hJzYI
— Martin Harmer (@martinharmer) July 9, 2026
— The Left Bible (@theleftbible) July 9, 2026
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