Farage Resigns, Triggering Clacton By-Election; Restore Britain Will Not Contest

Rupert Lowe stated that Restore Britain will not field a candidate in the Clacton by-election created by Nigel Farage’s resignation as Member of Parliament. Lowe, the Great Yarmouth MP and former Reform MP, said the decision avoids what he called a Reform-sponsored media event.

He added that the party will consider standing if a second by-election occurs after the investigations into Farage’s finances conclude.

Background on the Resignation Farage announced his resignation from the Clacton seat and his intention to seek re-election in the resulting by-election. No date for the vote has been set.

“We are not going to participate in a Reform-sponsored media circus over the summer months that is designed to puff up Farage’s ego and deflect away from wholly fair questions over why he has concealed such vast and irregular financial donations." — Rupert Lowe, Great Yarmouth MP Lowe said Restore Britain will continue issuing policy papers focused on data and detailed plans rather than participate in the campaign period.”

Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick said Farage is prepared to face voters again if the parliamentary standards commissioner later finds against him. Jenrick described any second by-election as absurd but said the party would accept the outcome. Jenrick added that Farage has spent three decades advancing his political arguments and will continue that effort through the current contest.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Farage should answer questions about the reported donations instead of calling the by-election. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated that the resignation appears linked to questions over financial disclosures. Green Party leader Zack Polanski described Farage as a representative of wealthy interests rather than ordinary voters.