Nigel Farage has spoken for the first time since the major political parties dropped out of the running for his by-election in Clacton-on-Sea.
The Reform UK leader's only prominent rival for the constituency is a comedian, Count Binface, who is running under the banner of the Forward Party.
Clacton-on-Sea is a deprived Essex town facing issues typical of a British seaside town, including housing problems, vandalism, drugs, cuckooing, and a rise in county lines violence.
The town's life expectancy is up to 18 years lower than in wealthier parts of the county, highlighting the need for significant change.
Farage has promised to prioritize fixing potholes in the town, with some reportedly being as deep as 20 inches, and to halt housing developments opposed by locals.
The Reform leader is being investigated by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner over a £5 million gift from cryptocurrency tycoon Christopher Harborne, which he said was needed to fund his security due to multiple threats against him.
Farage is also facing questions over support provided by George Cottrell, a convicted criminal, which he claims was simply a case of a Reform supporter helping him.
Farage has accused the media and political classes of trying to paint him as a war criminal, and believes that the people of Clacton will give him a big endorsement if they are given the chance.
The comedian, Count Binface, is also running in the by-election, although he has conceded that he may not win, given Farage's significant majority in 2024.
