‘Bigger than ever before!’ Farage ramps up Clacton campaign as Labour accused of giving up fight against Reform leader

In the latest plea for help from Farage fans, Clacton’s Reform UK branch said: “Nigel’s campaign for Clacton has been given huge momentum by the support of Reformers from across the country.

“However, the race is still too close to call. The Labour and Conservative parties have failed this area for decades, and they have failed our country for just as long.

“The Labour Party are now set to win a landslide nationally. Our only hope for proper opposition is to ensure Nigel wins here. We need your help.”

Speaking to GB News ahead of Saturday’s action day, a senior Essex Reform UK source said: “A lot of our resources are being concentrated in Clacton.”

“It’ll mean we get the largest gathering of people that we have assembled for any action day,” they added.

“It’ll mean we conduct the largest scale when it comes to knocking on doors and potentially the longest day so that the most amount of ground is covered.

“It is, of course, the all important last weekend before the election. There’s going to be more people on the ground than ever before.”

The populist party’s local source, who also claimed the Conservatives know Reform will run them close in Castle Point and Basildon & Billericay, also claimed: “The Tories have really stepped up their efforts big time.”

Ahead of Farage’s decision to stand, there were concerns Reform UK’s lack of ground campaign could hinder the populist party and result in a poorer performance than Ukip in 2015.

Reform UK is keen to call on grassroots supporters and volunteers to ensure Farage enters Westminster.

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In a separate email penned by Farage just a few days before, the Reform UK leader said: “We have the chance to change the course of British politics, but I cannot do this without the People’s Army.”

Despite concentrating resources in Clacton, Farage has been up and down the country campaigning for the populist party.

The Reform UK leader urged supporting to “be a part of history” at a rally in Birmingham on Sunday.

Farage said: “I am holding the largest rally of my political career at the NEC in Birmingham - and I want you to be there.”

However, the latest development in Clacton comes as Labour were accused of scaling back its local campaign.

Labour candidate Jovan Owusu-Nepaul, who hit the headlines as the most stylish hopeful of 2024, was reportedly “seconded” to campaign in a seat in the West Midlands.

The Guardian also claimed that local activists have been denied access to campaigning resources.

Owusu-Nepaul was performing well in certain opinion polls, leapfrogging the Tories to enter second-place in Ipsos' MRP survey.

The 27-year-old was even snapped bumping into Farage at an opening of a new food truck in Frinton-on-Sea earlier this month.

In a letter to Labour’s general-secretary, Owusu-Nepaul’s election agent David Evans, complained: “Reform UK stands for everything we the Labour party stand against … and I’m struggling to come to terms that it appears the party doesn’t even want to be seen to be putting up a fight.”

An Essex Labour source also told GB News: “Labour’s target seats in the county - Southend, Colchester and Thurrock - remain unchanged.

“But Farage has a clear run. As the Brexit capital of the country, look at Ukip’s performance in 2015, you can see why we’re not directing resources there.”

Despite being accused of scaling back the Clacton campaign, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “We want to take the fight to the Tories and Reform wherever they are. We are not backing down in Clacton, we are not backing down anywhere across the country.”

Conservative candidate Giles Watling, who was first elected to represent Clacton in the Commons in 2015, claimed Labour’s decision comes as an anti-Farage coalition coalesces behind his campaign.

He told GB News: “It’s a two-horse race between me and Farage. I’m also now seeing people who are voting for Labour in other constituencies, deliver leaflets for me in Clacton. I thought that was extraordinary. I imagine I’ll be picking up votes from unexpected quarters.”

Watling also criticised Farage for his celebrity-esque campaign.

The actor-turned-politician said: “I talk to voters about the presidential-style of campaigning that Nigel Farage is doing. He’s not engaging in hustings with political opponents of any sort but coming to Clacton every weekend with an entourage of acolytes and preaching fundamentally to the converted.

“There’s definitely a backlash against Farage just coming to hold massive events but people just think really?”

Clacton candidates have been told the hustings event has been rescheduled for July 1.

Watling, who also claimed Farage’s support was dented by his comments about the West provoking Russia to invade Ukraine, added: “I’ve got this dragon to slay but unfortunately I’ve been cast in the role of St George. It’s the toughest role I’ve ever played.”

“Farage is just using Clacton as a stepping stone. He’s taking voters for granted and not being prepared to take part in political debate shows it's all just for show.”

An opinion poll released last week by JL Partners showed Farage romping to victory in Clacton.

The Reform UK leader received 48 per cent of the vote, with Watling obtaining 21 per cent and Owusu-Nepaul in a distant third on 18 per cent.

Farage’s campaign received a blow earlier today after an undercover Channel 4 investigation exposed examples of racist and Islamophobic language, including about Rishi Sunak.

Volunteer Reform UK canvasser Andrew Parker said: “I’ve always been a Tory voter.

"But what annoys me is that f*****g P**i we’ve got in. What good is he? You tell me, you know. He’s just wet. F*****g useless.”

In a statement, Parker said: “I would like to make it clear that neither Nigel Farage personally or the Reform Party are aware of my personal views on immigration.”

He added: “I would therefore like to apologise profusely to Nigel Farage and the Reform Party if my personal views have reflected badly on them and brought them into disrepute as this was not my intention.”

Farage voiced his disappointment at the comments made by Parker and others.

He said: “I am dismayed by the reported comments of a handful of people associated with my local campaign, particularly those who are volunteers. They will no longer be with the campaign.”

Responding to the undercover investigation Watling said: “I am disgusted by vile comments shouted by Reform thugs published by Channel 4.

“This is the circus I don’t want despoiling my community. Farage says he is ‘shocked’, but it is his ‘People’s Army’. This doesn't reflect the true nature of Clacton. We are better than this!”

Owusu-Nepaul added: “These views do not represent the many wonderful people I have met throughout this election campaign in Clacton.

“We will keep putting forward a positive and inclusive message for change. We can build a better future for all. Vote Leave next Thursday, July 4.”

Other Clacton candidates include Liberal Democrat Matthew Bensilum, Climate Party’s Craig Jamieson, ex-Reform candidate Tony Mack as an independent, Green Party hopeful Natasha Osben, Heritage Party’s Tasos Papanastasiou and Ukip’s Andrew Pemberton.

GB News has approached Owusu-Nepaul for comments on his campaign.