Labour, Tories, the Liberal Democrats and Restore Britain are all boycotting the by-election in Clacton triggered by Nigel Farage’s resigning, branding his announcement a gimmick and a stunt.
Political opponents accused the Reform UK leader of using a distraction technique as he faces questions over donations he has received.
Insisting he had done nothing wrong, the Reform UK leader said he would be fighting the by-election, giving voters a chance to “stick two fingers up to the establishment”.
A spokesperson for would-be PM Andy Burnham said: “This is a gimmick designed to distract from serious allegations about Farage’s funders.”
Sir Keir Starmer branded the move “a desperate stunt”, adding: “It’s obvious why he’s doing it - he is up to his neck in sleaze.”
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey called for all parties to boycott the by-election and for the government to block Mr Farage’s resignation until the Standards Commissioner finishes investigating him.
It has been reported that convicted criminal George Cottrell provided Mr Farage with funding for security and staffing before he was elected.
Mr Farage was already being investigated by the standards commissioner over a £5m gift he received from crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne.
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Key Points
- Nigel Farage resigns as MP to trigger by-election
- Analysis: By-election gamble is Farage's last-ditch bid to save dream of being PM
- Tories won't contest Clacton by-election, says Badenoch
- Watch: Nigel Farage lashes out at Sky News reporter
- Starmer slams 'desperate stunt' by leader 'up to neck in sleaze'
- ‘Ego by-election’ like ‘admission of guilt’, Badenoch says
Polling expert John Curtice predicts Farage landslide win
20:56 , Jane DaltonEven though all the main parties are boycotting the Clacton by-election, it’s too late for the poll to be cancelled, and Nigel Farage is likely to win by a huge majority, according to elections expert Sir John Curtice.
Technically an MP cannot resign but must make themselves ineligible to be and MP by being appointed by the Treasury as a steward of the Chiltern Hundreds.
Prof Curtice told The Independent that once the Speaker has moved the writ for a by-election, the returning officer had to go ahead with the election.
“He’s no longer an MP, but he wants to get back into the Commons, so he has to stand,” he said.
“So he he can't pull out now, he can’t cancel his resignation.”
Prof Curtice said the by-election would mirror that of David Davis in 2008, which became a “damp squib” because only minor candidates stood and Mr Davis won 72 per cent of the vote.
Analysis: The shadow of David Davis’s failed by-election hangs over Farage’s desperate ploy
20:45 , Jane DaltonBy political editor David Maddox:
It may not be a complete coincidence that one of Kemi Badenoch’s most senior advisers worked for David Davis in 2008 when he called a by-election – and she has now decided not to stand a candidate against Nigel Farage.
Timothy Smith, an Australian who would go on to be a Victoria state parliamentarian and who is now a senior Tory adviser, was in the room when David Davis called a by-election in protest over Tony Blair’s anti-terrorism policy.
While Mr Smith is coy about what happened, the political stunt by Mr Davis fizzled out quickly because nobody would stand against him.
He called a by-election in his Haltemprice and Howden constituency in protest at Mr Blair’s plans to introduce 42 days of being able to hold terror suspects in detention without being charged. He saw it as a major infringement of civil liberties.
In calling the by-election, he had to resign from the Tory front bench as shadow home secretary but then the idea of a debate failed to catch fire when nobody serious stood against him and he essentially was a lone candidate against people like the Monster Raving Looney Party candidate.
Ms Badenoch has now decided to take the same approach to Mr Farage’s “fake by-election”, as have Labour and the Lib Dems.
It will be Farage versus Count Binface. It means Mr Farage’s hopes of getting a mandate to justify himself over questions around his personal finances and political friendships will come to nothing, just as Mr Davis’s hopes of creating a debate in 2008 also failed.
We may soon revisit the entire question if another by-election is called as a result of Mr Farage being found guilty of impropriety if that ends up being the conclusion of the parliamentary standards investigation.
Watch: Farage releases CCTV claiming to show Sky reporter at daughter's home
20:15 , Jane DaltonUnion chief blames Labour failures for rise of Reform
19:45 , Jane DaltonUnite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This latest distraction from the everyday issues real people are facing will have workers and communities holding their head in their hands.
“Everyday people are hurting and this latest pantomime does nothing to ease their pain.
“Nigel Farage is certainly no friend of the working class. A privately educated former banker who moved from trading in the City to trading in fear.
“The rise of Reform and Restore is down to the non-delivery of Labour.
“It is now time for Labour to deliver. This latest diversion must not distract from that.”
Farage could face Greens, independents and Binface
19:39 , Jane DaltonAfter Labour, the Conservatives, Lib Dems and Restore Britain said they would boycott the by-election, it seems Mr Farage’s only opponents could be the Greens, Count Binface and any independent candidates.
A Green Party spokesman said it was a decision for local members in Clacton whether to put up a candidate “but we are a political party – we contest elections”.
Count Binface – who stands in elections to mock the political system – has appealed for residents in the constituency to nominate him.
Any Clacton residents who want to nominate your friendly neighbourhood intergalactic space warrior, ping me a line!
— Count Binface (@CountBinface) July 7, 2026
Farage’s resign-and-restand plan branded ‘desperate stunt’
19:15 , Jane Dalton
Farage’s resign and restand by-election plan branded ‘desperate political stunt’
Watch: Farage claims he's UK's most-attacked politician
18:44 , Jane DaltonLibDems' leader calls for government to block Farage resignation
18:41 , Jane DaltonLiberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has called for all parties to boycott the Clacton by-election.
He posted on social media: “The Government must block Nigel Farage’s resignation until the Standards Commissioner finishes investigating him. The people of Clacton deserve the full facts.
“If a by-election does go ahead, all parties should stand aside. We cannot give oxygen to this vanity project.”
There has not yet been an official announcement from the Liberal Democrat Party.
Labour joins Tories in boycotting by-election
18:25 , Jane DaltonBreaking news: Labour also says it will not contest the Clacton by-election.
A 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.”
Badenoch accuses Farage of running from scrutiny
18:18 , Jane DaltonBranding Mr Farage’s by-election “fake”, 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.”
She said he should have explained what he did with the money and apologise if need be.
“Instead, he has been running away from scrutiny. No one is bigger than Parliament. We all have to register our interests.”
Analysis: Farage gambles to save his dream of being PM
18:02 , Jane Dalton
Farage’s by-election gamble is last bid to save his dream of being PM
All eyes on other parties' Clacton decisions
17:56 , Jane DaltonRestore Britain had already said it would not stand in the by-election, before the Conservative leader declined to field a candidate.
There are now questions over whether the other major parties will do the same in an attempt to undermine Mr Farage’s mission to regain control of the narrative.
Tories won't contest Clacton by-election, says Badenoch
17:52 , Jane DaltonKemi Badenoch says the Conservatives will not stand a candidate in the Clacton by-election.
"We're not standing in a fake by-election," she said.
How much Clacton by-election could cost taxpayers
17:44 , Jane Dalton
How much Farage’s Clacton by-election could cost the taxpayer as Reform leader quits
‘He’ll win it’ – Clacton voters back Nigel Farage
17:43 , Holly EvansVoters in Clacton-on-Sea have largely expressed support for Nigel Farage after he said he would stand down as the constituency’s MP to fight a by-election, although one resident said people have “had enough of all this politics”.
Retired nursery nurse Janet Simpson, who was in the Essex town centre on Tuesday, said: “I think it’ll just tick people off basically because they’ve had enough of all this politics, and Andy Burnham and Starmer, and people have just had enough.
“And I think they’re all wings of the same bird.”
The 73-year-old from Clacton continued: “They’re all wings of the same bird, politicians.
“I just don’t know, I really don’t know, I just think it seems like he’s sort of trying to clear his name a bit, is he?
“Well good for him if that’s what he’s trying to do, but I prefer Rupert Lowe.”
Constituent Wayne Adams, who was at Clacton seafront, said of the by-election: “If Farage is going to do that for the people then I’m backing him and so are a lot of people.”
The 60-year-old, who is ex-military, said: “As far as I’m concerned I like the man’s views, I like what he says.”
A man who gave his name only as John said he believed Mr Farage would win back his seat.
“He’ll win it,” the 71-year-old, who worked in sales for a car firm, said.
“He says what everybody round here thinks.
“We’re sick to the back teeth with what’s going on with the immigration and everything else.
“It’s just the numbers, the country can’t afford it.
A ‘pound-shop Farage’, an ex-Tory and a ‘proud British Muslim patriot’: The men who could take over Reform
17:22 , Jane Dalton
Who could replace Farage as Reform leader if he loses Clacton by-election?
Lib Dems calls on parties to stand aside and 'refuse to give oxygen' to Farage
17:04 , Holly EvansLiberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged the Government to block Nigel Farage’s by-election until after the conclusion of the standards investigation into the Reform UK leader.
“If this by-election does go ahead now, we are calling on all parties to stand aside and refuse to give oxygen to Farage’s vanity project,” he said.
“But the Government should just say no to Farage’s ego-trip and block his resignation until the Standards Commissioner has finished investigating him.
“The people of Clacton should have all the facts before they cast their votes.”
Farage lashes out at the Times and Sky for publicising property - years after he posed in front of it
17:01 , Jane DaltonNigel Farage hit out at The Times newspaper and Sky News for publishing a picture of a property - more than a decade after he posed in front of it.
He said he “never been angrier in my life” as he complained about media treatment of his family.
“For some reason, last week the editor of the Times newspaper decided to publish a picture of where my daughter lives. There is no public interest in my daughter whatsoever.”
He added that she had “broadcasters haranguing her”, including Sky News.
The Times published a photo of the house as part of an investigation into Mr Farage’s property portfolio. Photographs from 2014 show him smiling and joking in front of the same house.
Restore Britain won't stand in by-election, says Lowe
16:45 , Jane DaltonRupert Lowe says Restore Britain will not stand in the by-election triggered by Nigel Farage’s resignation.
The party leader said: “Restore Britain will stand in the Clacton by-election – the second one – held later this year, when the investigations into Farage’s finances conclude as we all suspect they will.
“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.
“Farage can play with his toys for the next six weeks but Restore Britain is going to continue producing detailed policy papers, exactly as we have been, outlining how we can fix our country.”
Jenrick admits two by-elections would be 'utterly ridiculous'
16:30 , Jane DaltonReform MP Robert Jenrick has admitted it would be “ridiculous” if two by-elections were held in Clacton should Nigel Farage win the seat again.
Parliament’s standards commissioner will suspend his investigation into Mr Farage’s finances once the by-election begins, but could reopen it should voters return the Reform UK leader to Parliament.
Asked about the possibility of two polls, Mr Jenrick said: “It would be utterly absurd, but so be it.
“If this has to go back to the people of Clacton another time, then bring it on but that would clearly be utterly ridiculous.
“Nigel has got the courage to put himself forward in this election to make his argument to his constituents in Clacton and ultimately to the country that it’s not for bureaucrats and the tired old leaders of the Labour Party and the Tory party and their acolytes in the media to determine who leads this country, it is for the people of this country. So that is what Nigel is doing in this by-election.”
Tories trying to avoid wasting public cash on second by-election, says leader
16:14 , Jane DaltonKemi Badenoch has said her team is “exploring every avenue” about how the party will approach the Clacton by-election because she wanted to avoid wasting taxpayers’ money in the event of a second by-election in the constituency.
The Conservative Party leader was asked if the Tories would stand a candidate in the by-election.
She told Politico Live: “What I’m focused on right now, and I’ve set my team on it, is how to make sure that we avoid wasting taxpayers’ money with two by-elections, and we’re exploring every avenue, so until that’s decided I’m not saying anything about what’s happening in Clacton.
“There should not be a by-election when the standards committee has not ruled, and the fact is, this doesn’t even stop the ruling.
“It doesn’t stop the ruling, it just pauses it. Perhaps at best it’s still going to happen, so he can run as much as he likes from the investigation, he cannot hide, and the people of Clacton, in my view, are going to take a pretty dim view of their MP wasting everybody’s time and money just because he’s having a hissy fit.”
Starmer slams 'desperate stunt' by leader 'up to neck in sleaze'
15:59 , Jane DaltonThe prime minister accused the Reform UK leader of being “up to his neck in sleaze”.
Sir Keir Starmer said: "This is a desperate stunt from Nigel Farage and it's obvious why he's doing it - he is up to his neck in sleaze.
"Politics should be about improving the lives of millions of people, not about personal gain, not about hiding dodgy donations, and I think the public will see this for exactly what it is."
Farage’s ‘ego by-election’ like ‘admission of guilt’, Badenoch says
15:54 , Jane DaltonKemi Badenoch has hit out at Nigel Farage’s “ego by-election”, saying his resignation announcement felt “like an admission of guilt”.
The Conservative Party leader said a by-election in Clacton-on-Sea should not happen unless the standards commissioner made a decision on Mr Farage’s donations wrangles.
“In doing this, what he is saying is that he's already guilty, it feels like an admission of guilt,” she said.
“He should have come out, acknowledged that he done something wrong, said sorry, and everybody would have moved on.
“Instead, he doesn't want to do that. We're now having another man's ego by-election, just as we had in Makerfield at by-election about one person's ego, one person's job.”
Analysis: By-election gamble is last-ditch bid to save dream of being PM
15:49 , Jane Dalton Farage’s by-election gamble is last bid to save his dream of being PM
Farage having ‘hissy fit’ after ‘cracking under pressure’, Badenoch says
15:47 , Jane DaltonKemi Badenoch has accused Nigel Farage of having a “hissy fit” after he resigned as an MP to force a by-election.
The Conservative Party leader said Mr Farage was “cracking under pressure” as he faced scrutiny over a series of donations scandals.
“He is a man who is cracking under pressure,” she said. “That's why he was shouting at journalists yesterday. And what we have to ask ourselves is, is this someone who can do the top job.
“He hasn't become prime minister yet, and he's already cracking under the pressure.”
Farage says Reform offering to pay for by-election
15:45 , Jane DaltonKate Devlin reports: In a move unlikely to be legal - given they will contest the by-election - Nigel Farage has announced that Reform is offering to pay for the vote.
He posted: “I have spoken to the CEO of Tendring District Council. Reform has offered to cover the cost of the by-election.
“I will be writing to Rachel Reeves later today with the same message.
“Given that we asked for this by-election in the first place, it’s only right that we pay for it.”
I have spoken to the CEO of Tendring District Council. Reform has offered to cover the cost of the by-election.
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) July 7, 2026
I will be writing to Rachel Reeves later today with the same message.
Given that we asked for this by-election in the first place, it’s only right that we pay for it.
By-elections cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds
15:44 , Jane DaltonKate Devlin reports: By-elections cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds, official figures show.
A parliamentary written answer in 2016 revealed the average cost over the previous six years had been £228,964, equivalent to £323,255 in today’s money.
That includes the costs of running the poll itself, as well as delivering election mailings produced by the candidates.
The Clacton by-election could come in at slightly less - the 2014 by-election held in the seat cost £193,463, which after inflation would be £275,046 now.
Mr Farage said he gave up a high-earning career in the commodity markets “at a huge cost” to become a member of the European Parliament.
Burnham slates Farage 'gimmick to distract'
15:39 , Jane DaltonWould-be prime minister Andy Burnham has claimed Nigel Farage's decision to quit as an MP and trigger a by-election is a distraction technique.
A spokesperson said: "This is a gimmick designed to distract from serious allegations about Farage's funders.
“What really matters in politics is how we can change Westminster to take power for communities and bring it back to people to make life more affordable for them."
Voters will go to the polls within weeks in another crucial by-election
15:33 , Jane DaltonOur Whitehall editor Kate Devlin writes: Just over 78,000 voters in Clacton, Essex, are now set to decide Nigel Farage’s fate after the Reform UK leader announced he was resigning as an MP with immediate effect and would contest the resulting by-election.
His decision sets up the second crucial by-election this year, after the voters of Makerfield decisively returned Andy Burnham to parliament setting off a series of events which should lead to his becoming PM later this month.
The latest by-election should happen within weeks, but could be delayed by the school summer holidays.
Holding a vote while so many people are away could lead to accusations of being anti-democratic.
Reform UK are due to hold their annual conference in Birmingham at the end of the first week in September, which could now effectively be a pre-election rally for Farage.
Farage has insisted he will “fight to win” the election, describing it as “a chance to stick two fingers up to the entire establishment to frankly tell them where to go”.
He will be the favourite to win. He took the seat by a huge margin the last time, winning 46 per cent of the vote, and with a majority of 8,405.
But he risks having put a target on his back. With no other elections coming up to distract them, all the other parties could pile resources into the seat to try to oust him.
Was Farage right to resign? Vote now
15:27 , Jane DaltonWhy Nigel Farage could face two by-elections
15:23 , Jane DaltonPolitical correspondent Millie Cooke writes: Nigel Farage could plausibly face two by-elections in Clacton, with one taking place after another.
This bizarre set of circumstances could arise because the Reform leader is currently facing an investigation from Parliament’s standards commissioner Daniel Greenberg over claims that he failed to declare a £5m donation from Thai-based billionaire Christopher Harborne.
This investigation could lead to a by-election in Clacton if Mr Farage is suspended for more than 10 days and a recall petition is triggered in his Clacton constituency – and if the petition is backed by at least 10 per cent of voters.
However, crucially, the standards probe will be put on hold now that he has resigned as an MP, and it will only resume if he returns to Parliament - meaning that any sanctions (including a possible by-election) will only take place after the first by-election has been held.
Analysis: Farage is taking a gamble as he fights to save his dying dream of being PM
14:47 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox writes:
Nigel Farage has never been short of drama and today he was back where he most enjoys being - centre of the political stage.
He now is taking a gamble on all he has fought to achieve by stepping down as an MP and calling a by-election in his Clacton-on-Sea constituency.
For the great political gambler it does seem to be a final roll of the dice.
In his lengthy 20 minute speech - mostly a rant about how the media and establishment are out to get him - Mr Farage admitted, as revealed by The Independent on Sunday, that he discussed and considered walking away altogether.
But this is a man who wants to have his place in history and clearly does not want a long and successful political career to end with a whimper. Better to go down fighting.
Nevertheless, it is clear that he is struggling to cope with the level of scrutiny that he is under as a man who wants to be and could still be prime minister.
He is, by his own admission, an angry man over the inevitable media coverage of his undeclared donations and questionable friendship to a convicted criminal in his inner circle.
Much of this was dressed up with fury at Sky News and the Sunday Times for publishing a picture and, in the case of the broadcaster, approaching a property where his daughter lives.
But in reality this is a man whose party is slipping in the polls, who is staring at the prospect of Labour under Andy Burnham surpassing them, and who cannot win a parliamentary by-election because of tactical voting.
His self justification on the donations will jar with many although his complaints about the physical abuse he receives are not exaggerated.
Mr Farage must know that his chances of entering Downing Street are close to being extinguished and this is his last chance to move the dial.
The question will be if he can hold on to a seat which he won 46.2 per cent of the vote in the general election.
If the other parties are smart they will give the Tories, who came second and previously held the seat, to have a free run at defeating him. The stakes could not be higher.
Nigel Farage resigns as MP to trigger by-election
14:26 , Athena StavrouNigel Farage has announced his resignation as MP, triggering a by-election in Clacton on Sea.
The Reform UK leader said he would be fighting the by-election in the constituency, in order to give voters a chance to “stick two fingers up to the establishment”.
He said in a statement: "I will fight to continue the political revolution reform has started."
'I've never been angrier in my life'
14:26 , Athena StavrouNigel Farage has said he has ‘never been angrier’ in his life as he claims journalists approached his daughter at her home.
The Reform UK leader earlier accused Sky News of “harassing” his family.
Sky News said it had not contacted anyone from Mr Farage’s family about the story.
But the Reform UK leader later said this was “an outright lie”, accusing the broadcaster of having “hounded” his daughter at home.
In a statement on Tuesday, he said: “I will not tolerate intimidation of my family.
“Am I angry? I've never been angrier in my life.”
Farage accuses 'establishment' of using 'foul means' to beat Reform
14:22 , Athena StavrouNigel Farage suggested “the establishment” had chosen to use “foul means” to beat Reform UK as he said he had “not broken the law in any way at all”.
In a televised statement, the party leader pointed to electoral gains it made in May and said: “It seems to me that the establishment have now decided that they can’t beat us fairly, so they’ve chosen to use foul means.
“Let me be absolutely clear, after the furore and the media pile-on, well, not just the media, the other political parties too – let me be absolutely clear – I have done nothing wrong.
“I have not broken the law in any way at all. I have not misused public money, and you know, for the first two years of being an MP, my personal MP expenses are zero, not of course that you’ll read about that in mainstream media.”
Farage insists he's done 'nothing wrong'
14:16 , Athena StavrouNigel Farage has insisted he’s done “nothing wrong” as he delivers a statement about his political future.
The statement comes amid intense scrutiny over a series donation scandals.
Criticising the “establishment” and “mainstream media” he said: "Let me absolutely clear. I've done nothing wrong. I haven't broken the law."
Farage delivering statement on future
14:11 , Athena StavrouNigel Farage has begun delivering his statement on his future in public life.
The Reform UK leader is speaking mid speculation he could resign over a series of donation scandals.
The statement is being streamed by Reform UK, with no media present to ask questions.
Farage statement expected imminently
14:01 , Athena StavrouNigel Farage is expected to make a statement on his “future in public life” imminently.
The Reform UK leader confirmed earlier he would be making an announcement at 2pm.
The statement is being streamed by Reform UK, with no media present to ask questions.
We will bring you the latest updates here.
The man who could benefit most if Farage takes a break - Andy Burnham
13:57 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin writes:
Pollsters already predict a ‘Burnham bounce’ in the polls for Labour once the PM-in-waiting takes over.
But there were question marks over whether it would be enough to catch the party that has led the polls for more than a year - Reform UK.
However, were the party to lose its most high-profile member and leader, it could start to lose support at the same time as Labour gains it.
A ‘pound-shop Farage’, an ex-Tory and a ‘proud British Muslim patriot’: The men who could take over Reform
13:50 , Athena Stavrou The ‘pound-shop Farage’, ex-Tory and ‘British Muslim patriot’ vying to replace Farage
Badenoch warns that Farage is a danger to a free press
13:30 , Athena StavrouTory leader Kemi Badenoch told a press conference that it is “not for me to judge” whether Nigel Farage had broken the rules.
But she criticised the way he and his supporters have been making threats to the press over the coverage of his scandals.
She said: “What we are seeing right now is the sort of chaos which we would see under a Farage government. I am working very, very hard to make sure that we don't have a reform government.
"Our win in Aberdeen South showed that when Conservatives have a good economic plan... what surprised me most was what he said on Sky News...where he was being asked questions, and then talked about Levison, so he's hinting at press regulation.
“For all of the criticism and the attacks, and I would even say abuse that I got from the press, I never once recommended us curbing our free press... I'm very worried about a reform government using government power to control the press.”
Analysis: Reform is nothing without Nigel Farage
13:17 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox writes:
After arriving back in the UK on Monday in a foul mood, lashing out at the Sky News journalists waiting for him in the airport, a tired and angry looking Nigel Farage is set to give an emergency press conference on his future.
There has been mounting speculation outside Reform and concerns from within the party that he could simply walk away, although allies have told The Independent that he may just “take a break”, as the pressure takes its toll.
But in truth Reform has wasted two years of riding high in the polls building very little beyond him as a potential prime minister, meaning that without him on the scene the party is in severe trouble. Recent history tells us exactly what happens when Mr Farage so much as steps away.
When Mr Farage stepped down as Reform UK leader the first time in a bid to concentrate on his GB News career, Richard Tice as leader got the unfortunate nickname of “Mr 7 per cent” – the highest he could get in the polls. Only under Mr Farage did the popularity explode.
It is worth noting that Tice would again be temporary leader if Farage takes a break.
Before that, when he quit as UKIP leader after the 2016 referendum, the party nosedived as it went through a succession of alternatives.
So badly damaged was UKIP that, when Mr Farage came back, he had to invent a whole new party as a platform.
So no wonder there is panic in some circles of Reform about Mr Farage taking a break or stepping aside. Without him, they are nothing.
But the truth is that they are a dwindling force with him, too. A poll last week suggested that, with Andy Burnham as leader and prime minister, Labour may sneak ahead of Reform for the first time in almost two years.
And while the Tory brand is still damaged, their leader Kemi Badenoch is the most popular – or least unpopular – political leader in the UK.
It is fair to assume that, if Reform is no longer the party of the right that can beat Labour, then maybe people will start looking again at the Tories.
Possibility Farage could trigger by-election
13:10 , Athena StavrouIt is not yet known for certain what Nigel Farage will be saying in his statement this afternoon about his future in public life.
But some have speculated that he may be announcing his resignation as an MP, only to fight a by-election.
The move would serve as an opportunity for him to prove whether his donation scandals have meaningfully impacted the public vote.
But it also comes as there is a possibility the standards commissioner could trigger one anyway if he is found to have broken donation rules.
Analysis: Who could replace Nigel Farage as Reform UK leader?
12:59 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin writes:
There are three main names in the frame to take over if Farage does take a break from frontline politics.
Richard Tice
The party’s multimillionaire deputy leader would be the most obvious person to step up into the role.
He has led the party before, between 2021 and 2024, albeit when they were much less successful in the polls.
He stood down to be succeeded by Farage and in more recent years has been the party’s business spokesman.
Awkwardly, he was once described as a “pound-shop Nigel Farage” by one of the party’s current MPs, ex-Tory Lee Anderson.
Robert Jenrick
The party’s Treasury spokesman is a former Tory leadership contender who joined Reform only last year, after he was dramatically kicked out of the Conservatives.
Kemi Badenoch took to social media to announce that she had sacked Mr Jenrick after claiming to have seen “irrefutable evidence that he was plotting in secret to defect in a way designed to be as damaging as possible” to the Conservatives.
Hours later, as he joined Reform, Mr Jenrick launched an extraordinary attack on his former colleagues, saying the Tory party had “betrayed its voters and members” and was “in denial – or being dishonest” about its record.
As Treasury spokesman he has also clashed with one of his new colleagues in Reform, Zia Yusuf.
Zia Yusuf
Last year Yusuf dramatically quit his own party, using a social media post to say that trying to get the party elected was not "a good use of my time".
Just two days later he was back, given the job of identifying ‘waste’ in the councils the party now runs, inspired by Elon Musk’s role in Donald Trump’s White House.
Currently Reform’s spokesperson for home affairs, last month he publicly disagreed with Mr Jenrick over the details of the party's deportation policy.
When Mr Jenrick said foreign nationals would not be removed just because they live in social housing, but because of other factors as well, such as if they were not working or earning enough, Mr Yusuf described his answer as "not Reform policy".
Allies of Farage expect him to ‘take a break’ but ‘not run away’
12:47 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
Friends of Nigel Farage have told The Independent that he is considering “taking a break” as Reform UK leader to clear his name of sleaze allegations but “will not run away.”
Mr Farage has been discussing his frustrations with friends and allies while on a visit to the US to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
He is said to be “angry and depressed” at the way things have turned against him and intends to name and shame individual Sky News journalists who spoke to his daughter this week.
An ally said: “Nigel has been discussing taking a break to clear his name burt that does not mean he is stepping down or will give up.“He has never run away from anything and he will not now.”
They added: “Nigel is really, really angry about the coverage particularly with the way Sky doorstepped his daughter.
“You will hear a lot about that at the press conference, he has kept receipts and names.”
The press conference comes after a series of scandals involving a £5 million donation from crypto billionaire Chris Harborne and his association with convicted criminal George Cottrell who also gave him gifts.
The Reform UK leader has been reported to the Electoral Commissioner and Parliamentary standards watchdog.
If he takes a break, deputy leader Richard Tice would step in as temporary leader.
Statement comes hours after Farage lost temper in exchange with Sky News
12:41 , Athena StavrouNigel Farage has announced he will deliver a statement on his political future, hours after he was seen lashing out at a Sky News reporter asking him questions about his financial donations.
“You tell your bosses, you harass my family anymore. I’ll take these serious consequences. That’s what your organisation has done this morning. Go away,” Farage said while returning from Independence Day celebrations in Washington.
Sky News said it had not contacted anyone from Mr Farage’s family about the story.
But the Reform UK leader later said this was “an outright lie”, accusing the broadcaster of having “hounded” his daughter at home.
Watch the video here:
Will Nigel Farage resign?
12:33 , Athena StavrouNigel Farage’s announcement that he will be making a statement on his future in public life has sparked intense speculation he could resign.
The Reform UK leader has been under immense pressure to answer questions over his donations made before he became an MP.
As reported by The Independent, private concerns have been raised by Mr Farage’s allies that he is on borrowed time after questions over his relationship with convicted criminal George Cottrell emerged.
But he could also be using the statement to stand defiant in the face of intense criticism.
Reform UK facing immense pressure over donation scandals
12:25 , Athena StavrouNigel Farage has been under immense pressure in recent weeks after a series of scandals around donations to himself and Reform UK.
Reports at the weekend revealed his long-term ally George Cottrell, who is a convicted criminal, had provided funding for security and staffing in the year before he was elected.
It is the latest financial scandal to engulf Mr Farage, who is already being investigated by the standards commissioner over a £5 million gift the MP received from crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne.
Farage to make statement on 'future in public life'
12:21 , Athena StavrouNigel Farage is set to make a statement on his “future in public life”, as he faces intense scrutiny over donations made by a convicted criminal.
The Reform UK leader wrote on X that he will deliver a statement at 2pm today.
I will make a statement on my future in public life at 2pm.
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) July 7, 2026
