Five-million Farage has flounced out of parliament in order to pause the investigations into his alleged corruption, but other major parties are refusing to contest the resulting by-election, potentially leaving him facing Count Binface as his biggest rival. With the British public’s love of the underdog and refusing to do what’s expected - remember Boaty McBoatface? - I wouldn’t bet against it being Count Binface MP soon.
Good, that’s the only way to play this one.
The other alternatives: if all parties had contested it would split the vote. Any united progressive candidate have trouble winning in Clacton. An all-party backed opposition candidate would have been unlikely and would easily be painted as “the establishment” by Farage.
As things are: an independent novelty candidate might actually have the best chance, small as it may be, of beating Farage if they can capture all the protest vote (the absolute majority of Clacton didn’t vote Farage in the last election). Or worst, most likely, case Farage wins a hollow victory unopposed by major parties, he hasn’t made his point, things stay the same only now he’s seen as wasting everyone’s time.
echodot@feddit.uk 10 hours ago
I just love that the political manoeuvre to counter for Farage is to just ignore him until he tires himself out.
Not that this by-election will change anything, when he wins (although it would be hilarious if he didn’t) he will be an MP again, so the investigation will continue. Meanwhile the entire time this is going on journalists will constantly go and prod him in order to get a reaction. I’m really not convinced he’s all that bright, because he was in a hole that he dog for himself and now he’s managed to turn that hole into the second grand canyon.
DakRalter@thelemmy.club 8 hours ago
The media won’t stop reporting on this guy every time he so much as farts. Radio 5 is his propaganda machine.
But maybe the tide is turning. In any case, he’s definitely getting tetchy. Hold his feet to the fire, he will melt like the greasy little frog he is.