Remembering Ann Widdecombe - Farage on "Fiercest Proponent of Free Speech" as Clacton By-Election Begins

In this emotional and fast-moving episode, we follow the dramatic day Nigel Farage announced his resignation as MP for Clacton and triggered a by-election. From the moment the news broke, through the tense wait in Reform HQ as the team prepared the studio, to Nigel’s powerful live statement broadcast across the UK. We then head to sunny Clacton for a walkabout with Nigel, hearing directly from local business owners and residents who overwhelmingly back him and dismiss the media attacks. The episode concludes with the heartbreaking news of the death of Reform UK Immigration Spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe, including a poignant visit to the village of Haytor where Nigel lays a wreath at a memorial on the heath.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_15 0:00

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Anne Whiticum. Tuesday, the 7th of July, and my phone starts pinging. There's a bunch of messages telling me to turn on the TV. As I learned the news from Sky, I became one of millions of Brits collectively holding our breath. What would he say? Could Nigel be about to resign? Is it a mistake not to declare the gifts from George Cottrell, sir?

SPEAKER_05 0:45

You tell your bosses you harass my family anymore. I'll take the serious consequences. That's what your organization has done this morning. Go away.

SPEAKER_15 0:53

The previous day, Nigel had found out that journalists had turned up at his daughter's home uninvited. The intrusion came five days after the Times published images of Nigel's properties, including his daughter's residence, which they'd identified as such. CCTV captured footage of the journalists arriving separately at 7.41am and 10.19am. One of them was from Sky News. However, the channel quickly issued this denial.

SPEAKER_30 1:21

Sky News has not contacted anyone from Nigel Farage's family about this story.

SPEAKER_15 1:26

I rushed into Reform HQ, hoping to find Nigel there. GB News was on in the reception. Christopher Hope speculating on Nigel's intentions. Staff had their heads down, busying themselves as they waited to hear the outcome.

SPEAKER_11 2:01

Do you not think he needs to come forward? I think he's too much of its flags on him. I think he needs to come forward.

SPEAKER_15 2:08

In the studio, crew members were lifting a lecture into place in front of two union flags. Staging lights and monitors were all being adjusted while a director gave instructions via speakerphone. The form MPs and spokespeople started to trickle in.

SPEAKER_11 2:45

I just hope you can read it. I think you can. You can read that, can't you? Right. There's a lot of glare, it's quite dark. Can we tell up the price?

SPEAKER_15 2:53

Nigel had prepared a few notes which were being placed on auto queue. Zia joked that he would love an advanced copy.

SPEAKER_10 3:00

Can I get like a five-minute earlier version just on my platform?

SPEAKER_15 3:05

Hello. Hello. When Nigel walked in, he seemed in good spirits but focused. So how does it all work? So I will control the auto queue from the other side.

SPEAKER_11 3:14

So what do you have wrong? Yeah, as long as I've got those. Yeah. And you'll string out the boundary. Yeah, fine. And that's our shot roughly looks like. Am I in the middle?

SPEAKER_06 3:26

Yeah. Because the background is amazing, isn't it? Yeah. With Parliament and the wheel. Forget where we are when you look at the Windows class. Now, what so 2 o'clock this Prince Harry break, yeah?

SPEAKER_11 3:35

So we'll let we'll let the 2 o'clock news drop on the lines. And then once that's broken, once we've seen the outlets have taken it, we'll then do it. So it's probably 10 past or quarter past.

SPEAKER_06 3:44

Yeah. As soon as we can within weeks.

SPEAKER_11 3:47

Can we just do one just quickly do a level with scroll test as well? I thought. I've just got to put night good in a stand in.

SPEAKER_06 3:53

So this is to test the speed, yeah?

unknown 3:56

Yes.

SPEAKER_06 3:56

I don't use all I mean I I'm worried I'm going to be wooden as hell with these prompts, but we'll see.

SPEAKER_22 4:02

Okay, bright stand by.

SPEAKER_06 4:04

Yep. Two years ago, with some reluctance, I decided to return to mainstream politics, and I became the Member of Parliament for Clacton. I was enormously proud on the evening, and I have to say, since then I've thoroughly enjoyed the job. Thank you. But works.

SPEAKER_11 4:19

Yeah, we'll go.

SPEAKER_06 4:20

Good.

SPEAKER_11 4:22

All help me.

SPEAKER_15 4:23

Yeah. Then some news came through. Broadcasters were actually not taking Harry's verdict. Instead, they were waiting for Nigel's announcement.

SPEAKER_11 4:31

Let's go. Thank you.

SPEAKER_06 4:35

Okay, can we just do one more sound check, please? Yeah. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Vote reform gets SARM out. Okay, cool. Right. Oh, have I got my physical notes? In case we know those tits up.

SPEAKER_11 4:49

It's like Kent all over again.

SPEAKER_06 4:50

Uh yes. Kemp was great. I gave Aaron my notes. And he just didn't bother to put them on the stage for.

SPEAKER_11 4:58

Okay, Matt was like, Well, perfect. Well, it's a good thing I remembered. Okay, we are one minute out.

SPEAKER_06 5:06

Oh, you've got to laugh. I think you cry if you want to laugh. If you give me a wave at about 12 minutes, I want to keep it under 20, 15 to 20. I could speak for hours, actually. Really, on this, I really could. I feel so strongly about it.

SPEAKER_15 5:26

Nigel stared into the camera and delivered the statement everyone had been waiting for.

SPEAKER_06 5:31

Good afternoon, everybody. Two years ago, after several years out of politics, I decided to return to the front line. I have to say, there was some reluctance, and initially I'd thought when Richie Sunak called a snap election that it would be beyond me. But I did it, and I was very, very proud. That evening, going into the morning of July the 5th, 2024, to be the elected member for Clacton on Sea. I was very proud of that evening, and I have to say, the last two years I've really enjoyed the job of being an MP. The people, the constituency. It's an office that I genuinely, genuinely adore. I couldn't have believed that night that we'd have rocketed to the top of the opinion polls, and now we'd be number one for the last 350 opinion polls in a row, often with big leads. We've also built the biggest membership of any political party in the country. And of course, on May the 7th, just gone, we achieved some huge successes in the local elections. Not only did we achieve breakthroughs in Scotland and in Wales, but we absolutely dominated in the Midlands and the North, the old Labor heartlands. And that is why Keir Starmer is now on his way out. Not to forget that in East Anglia, the Conservatives have now by us been reduced to nothing more than a rump. 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 Furori 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. And yes, of course, Parliament has its rules about how members ought to behave. And I believe I've absolutely obeyed those rules and done so under getting good legal advice. The standard rules are clear. This is what they say. The code applies to members in all aspects of their public life. It does not seek to regulate what members do in their purely personal lives. Now it would seem from the last couple of years, from the way I've been treated, that the press would rather our members of parliament had no assets and no wealth at all. They seem to fundamentally object to any MP that has outside income. Indeed, they view those that have continuing business interests with severe, severe scepticism. Making money is not a crime. Now going back to my 90s, I was in the commodity markets, I had a very, very good, high-earning career. I gave that up at a huge cost. Being a member of the European Parliament for 20 years cost me a huge amount of money. But I did it because I had a goal. I had a goal and a belief that we should leave the European Union, get back to being a self-regulating nation that makes its own laws, charts its own destiny, and among other things, of course, controls its own borders. We might not yet, ten years on, have reaped as many of the benefits as we ought, but one day I believe we will. And let's be frank, if I hadn't done what I'd done, there would have been no referendum, there would have been no Brexit. I came out at the end of that with very little money indeed. But over the last ten years, I've been writing, I've been lecturing, I've been broadcasting, I've been investing, I promoted one or two financial products, and for those that followed me into them, they've more than doubled their money, which I'm pleased about. I also worked extensively in those years of 2021 to 2024 as an influencer with over seven million followers on social media. So, yes, over the last ten years I have financially done well, but that of itself should not be looked upon as a crime. And yes, I had the equivalent of a lottery win, a large personal gift. And I'll come to that and the details of that in just a second. The really big question that I want to pose is do we want leaders that know how to make money? Do we want leaders that have run businesses, employed people, and understand how the world works? Well, I'm going to argue today, we absolutely need successful people from all walks of life, but particularly from business and industry. We need them not just in parliament, we need them in government, if we're even going to have half a chance of turning around the dire economic state this country now finds itself in. Contrast that with the cabinet, 24 men and women, not one of whom has any serious experience of private business, who frankly haven't got a clue. So don't be surprised that in economic terms we are going down the drain. Now, standards investigating me over the gift has now reared its head again. As a result of a lot of copy in this week's Sunday Times, incidentally, written by a journalist who publicly says that he despises me. And despite the fact that many of the things that were written in the article were wholly inaccurate or indeed irrelevant, yet another standards investigation is underway. Standards are now being used as a political tool. On the gift, it was given to me on an unconditional basis. I can do with that money exactly as I wish. But there is a much bigger reason why I'm going to need that money, and it's simply this. For over 20 years now, I have been subject to constant demonization by the press. For daring to be outside the consensual view on many issues, I've been attacked again and again. And I am the most physically and verbally attacked public figure or politician of modern times. Yes, you will know of some of the incidents, milkshakes thrown in my face, placards bashed over my head, but let me promise you, you only know about a fraction of the number of times that I've been assaulted. One little example you've probably never heard of. It was a Sunday afternoon a few years ago in the local village pub. In come the mob, about 50 of them. We decided the safest thing to do was as quickly as possible to get into the car and to drive away. But the mob surrounded the car, banging on the bonnet and the windscreen, kicking the side of the doors. It was a genuinely dangerous and terrifying situation to be in. The car was written off. I didn't even bother with an insurance claim. I did everything I could not to make it public. But these are the kind of things that I've had to put up with over many, many years. And over the last year it's got worse with an attack on my home, very similar to the one that the Prime Minister suffered. And literally daily online calls for me to be murdered. For some reason, that doesn't seem to worry the police. Repeatedly over the years, I asked the Home Secretary for help. I was rejected again and again. And in that period, when I wasn't in elected politics, between 2021 and 2024, I ran up personally very, very substantial bills to make sure that I was safe. When I became an MP, Parliament said, yes, we will help you with security. But almost unbelievably, just a couple of days after the murder of Charlie Kirk, 70% of that security funding was withdrawn. I am going to need security for the rest of my life, and I cannot even tell you how grateful I am to Christopher Harborn because now I will never ever need to worry about whether I've got the resource. Well, the new attack from the media is that somehow I am a crook. I am dishonest. He has another reason to hate me. Commentators over the weekend have said, oh, look at the interviews Nigel's doing. He's not himself. He's getting angry. Well, here's why. 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. She is not involved in current affairs, doesn't seek to be involved in current affairs, and has never been used by me once at any point in my political career. No photographs on election addresses or anything like that. I've always done my absolute best to protect the privacy and safety of my family. By publishing that photograph, the editor of the Times has directly threatened her security. I wonder what happened to the Leverson inquiry of years ago, an inquiry that sought to bring better balance between what the press could do and families of those in public life. Worse still, she now has broadcasters haranguing her. Sky News were one of them. And when I questioned them on it, they wilfully and deliberately lied and said on their channel that they hadn't contacted the family. Well, let me be clear. I will not tolerate intimidation of my family. I will not tolerate the location of where they live being revealed. I will not tolerate any of my family being endangered because of what I choose to do in public life. So, yes, you can ask, am I angry? But I've never been angrier in my life. I'm also pretty upset with the behavior of this Labour government. They began in 2025 and then tried again into 2026 to cancel elections for taxpayers and to do so on a vast and epic scale, albeit with the connivance of the Conservative Party. Why? Well, of course, fear of reform. I'm proud of the fact that we fought a legal action that got nearly five million council tax voters the right to go out on May the 7th and give their view. Now, of course, they want to reduce the voting age down to 16. Again, they think that will help damage reform. And just a couple of weeks ago, following the Makerfield by-election, they've changed the voting rules for the Manchester Mayoral by-election. They've gone away from first past the post again for fear that reform might win. And now they've come after our money. Now, to be clear, in the early days after the last general election, it was the huge increase in our membership at £25 a time that actually got us into a position where we could build a proper party. Over the last year, some big donors have been attracted to us. Extraordinary. These are men who've gone off as entrepreneurs around the world and succeeded. The sort of people we used to admire over centuries. Now government ministers refer to them in parliament as malign actors. And so they keep changing all the rules again and again just to stop reform. Frankly, it is like living in a communist country. I could never have believed such a thing would happen here. Ignore the fact, of course, that over decades peerages have been given to donors and that Labour's donors, in the run-up to the 2024 general election, now seem to have been awarded the most extraordinary government contracts. Perhaps Dominic Cummings was right last year when he said Whitehall will break the law to stop reform winning power. And we've been subject in the last few months to the use of illegally obtained information, firm evidence of computer hacking, and now leaks from government agencies. And this is all, of course, a great distraction, because we're about to get a Prime Minister who's coming in with no mandate whatsoever. He didn't even stand on the 2024 manifesto. This country needs a general election, even if Labour, the Conservatives, and the media don't want it. And whilst this pylon against reform happens, the boats continue to cross the English Channel. Our fractured defences make us look weaker and weaker against what I think is now an increasingly dangerous Vladimir Putin. Business confidence is the lowest it's now been for 16 years, and I speak to you from a capital city where men can't wear watches and women can't wear jewellery on the street. Britain is broken and the public know it, and we need change. Now the issue with my daughter was the final straw. Enough is enough. And I thought over the weekend, what should I do? I could go out and try and make some real big money. I could go to the USA where I've got plenty of offers. And then I thought, why should I be judged? Today or in history in the future by Sky News and their ilk? Why should they be the people that decide my fate when, as I repeat, I've done nothing wrong? I've thought about it hard, and I've decided today, today I will resign as a Member of Parliament for Clacton on Sea, thereby forcing a by-election, which should happen, I hope, in short order. No, I've decided that the people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions. This will be a people versus the establishment by-election. It's a chance to stick two fingers up to the entire establishment, to frankly tell them where to go. And that is why I will be putting my name forward to stand in this by-election. I will fight to win, I will fight to continue the political revolution that reform has started. And I would say this to you, the voters of Clacton: if I win, you win. Because if I lose, they win, and we will never, with the two old parties, get the type of fundamental change that we need to fix broken Britain. Thank you.

SPEAKER_11 21:04

Again, my clear, thank you. Thank you.

SPEAKER_15 21:08

It was a powerful speech, and standing where I was off stage, just a metre to Nigel's right, I had no doubt of his sincerity or resolve.

SPEAKER_06 21:16

Only one thing for it, downstairs for a drink.

SPEAKER_15 21:20

As people started filing out of the studio, I asked Lee for his reaction. What did you think of what he had to say?

SPEAKER_02 21:26

Oh well, um, I think he's been a long time coming, to be honest with you. Most of what he said, well, all of what he said, we all agree with. He's had uh he's had a torrid time. We've all had a torrid time over the past couple of years, but Nigel more than most of us. He takes the flight, he takes a runt of all it from us, and just this past couple of weeks the press have gone way too far. Um it's not just the press and all the media, it's it's the whole of Parliament as well. Um the m they're trying to drive him out, but he's he's made of sterner stuff, is Nigel. He's our leader. Uh, we're all falling behind him. He's gonna come back better. Bigger and stronger. And like you said, let the people of Clacton decide. And I'm sure they'll turn out on election day whenever that is in their thousands to put him to re-elect him as the uh member of parliament for Clacton.

SPEAKER_18 22:11

Lift going down.

SPEAKER_15 22:13

Downstairs I found Nigel holding court in the boardroom as the team discussed reform strategy for the by-election.

SPEAKER_06 22:19

By-elections cost about 300 grand to run. And I spent I've already spoken to the returning officer. Is it the local council? So the local council pays for the local by-election, but then central government 100% refunds, reimburses the cost of the election on the council. We at reform are willing to pay for the cost of the by-election so that it doesn't cost taxpayers any money. And if they refuse, we we will use the HMRC website for overpayments.

SPEAKER_15 22:50

One by one, I grabbed reform MPs and spokespeople to find out what they thought of his decision. And a lot of uh relieved members and supporters of reform, I think, relieved that he's not resigning as leader of the party.

SPEAKER_04 23:03

Of course, and uh that was uh never a prospect. Uh Nigel is the toughest, the strongest, the greatest fighter. We're delighted to uh to serve under his robust, confident, courageous leadership. And we always knew it would be challenging, tough, involve scrutiny, and that's fine, that's as it should be. But it should not be at the expense of uh the degree of abuse, of security threats, of harassment of his family members, and the uh the criminality that we are seeing coming out of institutions of the state. It is as simple as that.

SPEAKER_10 23:49

Well, I was in the room there listening to Nigel give that extraordinary statement. It was a goosebumps moment, feels like history being made in that room, and I will say this underestimate Nigel Farage at your peril. You know, as someone who has worked daily with Nigel now for over two years, I know a lot more about his personal security and the threats that he faces than most people. He and his family and his loved ones um have have made huge sacrifices for the country over decades, by the way. And so I'm in awe of this because I mean, can you imagine is there another is there another politician in our lifetimes who would um who would have made uh done such a courageous thing?

SPEAKER_17 24:28

I very much support this decision. Uh it's not an easy one. He is being hounded by the establishment. I think Sky News and a lot of the mainstream media should hang their heads in shame right now for what they're trying to do to Nigel Farage. This has gone beyond legitimate journalistic inquiry. This is now a witch hunt which is politically motivated. And um I think Nigel Farage is absolutely right to say let the people decide.

SPEAKER_03 24:56

I hope this campaign will be an opportunity for the party to once again set out very clearly to the public and to the media what our position is on a whole range of the issues that the public care about that this government is failing on. So I think it will renew our connection with voters and give us an opportunity to set out our stall for what should be a general election campaign, of course.

SPEAKER_01 25:19

Yeah, I mean I think I think that that their plan was to just cut funding from reform, destroy Nigel's reputation wrongly with false accusations, and then call a snap election. They can only beat us with dirty tricks. We're happy to go to the ballot at any to go to voters at any time and argue our actual policies, but they can't do that, so they're just using dirty tricks. So you know what? Bring it.

SPEAKER_15 25:40

Yes, right. I Nigel. Can I ask you just two or three questions? Is that alright? Finally, I got the chance to sit down with Nigel for his first interview since announcing that he was stepping down. Why did you decide now was the right time to call this by-election?

SPEAKER_06 25:54

I just think the media and establishment pylon has reached hysterical levels. And we're almost in a position where it's guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty of everything. I mean, everything under the sun. It's making it very difficult for my fellow MPs to operate effectively. Uh, you've got Labour, Lib Dems, Tories, uh Sky News, The Times, Sundays, I mean, you name it. You know, just piling into us. But the final straw was my daughter, who is not a matter of public record at all, lives privately in a house. The Times published a picture of the house last week and where she lived. She's now being accosted. And by the way, I wrote to the Tim I wrote to the editor of the Times three times. So whatever you do about my properties, you are not to say that she lives there. He totally ignored me, which I believe to be a total breach of the Levison inquiry a few years ago. And now she's got journalists haranguing her on the doorstep. I mean it's totally unacceptable at every level. So that's what got me thinking over the weekend. I can't put up with this. I won't put up with this. I can't. Why should Sky News judge my guilt? I think the people of Clacton can make a decision. And I insist, I have done nothing wrong. I've committed their criminal acts, I haven't avoided or evaded paying taxes, um, I've claimed zero personal expenses in two years as an MP. Um okay, I've made some money privately and had a very generous gift. Lucky me. It's not a crime. It's not a crime, you know, this is not Peter Murrell and and and camper vans. Um, and yet that's the way they've been treating me. I mean, it's absolutely astonishing. So I just thought, right, I'm not gonna have standards turn into a kangaroo court, I'll seize the initiative, and that's all I've done.

SPEAKER_15 27:46

Your pre-announcement post mentioned a statement on your future in public life, and I think a lot of supporters of reform started to get worried. How close were you to stepping back completely?

SPEAKER_06 27:56

I've been very thoughtful. I've been very thoughtful about whether it's worth it. I mean, unlike most MPs, I sound big-headed, but unlike most MPs, I've got a lot of other careers I could go and pursue. I do have abilities in certain areas. I'm hopeless at others, but I do have abilities in some areas. So there's a lot I can go and do. I say that, oh god, I can just go to America and a fortune. Or you know, I mean of course I thought about it, but no, I'm not gonna be beaten by these people. End of. So rather than running away, I'm running towards them.

SPEAKER_15 28:26

And if you win this by-election with a big majority, do you think that will be enough to shut down the haters, the establishment, the media, uh, the other political parties? Do you think it'll stop hounding you?

SPEAKER_06 28:37

Maybe, maybe not. But it will give me the opportunity to ignore them. To say you you have no you you you literally have no locus over me whatsoever, the people who judged. So I'm going all out to win.

SPEAKER_15 28:49

And do you have a just a quick sentence for Clacton residents?

SPEAKER_06 28:52

Yeah, this is uh your opportunity to say what you think. Um not just about me, but about the establishment, the way they try to attack me at me, uh me and the party, and if you want change, you better vote for it.

SPEAKER_15 29:06

Just after 5 pm, Reform released the CCTV footage showing journalists at Nigel's daughter's home. Around two hours later, Sky News issued a clarification confirming that one of their reporters had been at the property and knocked on her door. Reform's Shadow Chancellor Robert Jenrick challenged the broadcaster live on air.

SPEAKER_19 29:27

The point is that there have been questions about a number of homes belonging to Nigel Farage. Media organisations in the public interest will approach those properties.

SPEAKER_22 29:36

You are seriously arguing to public interest from the house of Nigel Farage's daughter. That is your argument, sir.

SPEAKER_19 29:45

That is not my argument. I'm simply saying that's when it's falling apart on. No, I'm simply reading the statement that's not a very important thing.

SPEAKER_22 29:54

You're making the argument as to why the political establishment of which Skyne is clearly a part, is trying to hound Nigel Farage to try to get him to leave public life by putting pressure on his family when it's not going to work.

SPEAKER_15 30:07

As the day drew to a close, it was clear Nigel's decision to trigger a by-election had been met with a range of reactions, from heavy criticism and claims of a cynical stunt, to grudging admiration for a bold political master stroke. But whatever their opinion, the only people who really mattered were the residents of Clacton. Tomorrow we would be there to hear their verdict. Hello, if you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode. Please leave us a five-star review and a comment too. Wednesday, the 8th of July, was a gloriously sunny day in Clapton on Sea. The promenade was filled with happy strollers. Families relaxed on colourful towels on the wide sandy beach, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of sea air, fish and chips, and candy floss. Overnight, the major parties had all confirmed that they'd be boycotting the by-election. In an interview on Talk TV, Zia challenged that decision, saying they were running scared.

SPEAKER_10 31:19

But what I would encourage your listeners and viewers to do is ask yourself why. Why would Labor and the Tories especially choose to not stand candidates against a man who has been a thorn in their side, brought down um team of their prime ministers through his political campaigning in his career over the last few decades. Why? There's only one reason, and that is because they know that they would lose.

SPEAKER_15 31:44

In a few minutes, I had an appointment to catch up with Nigel, but before heading into his constituency office, I quickly strolled the promenade asking residents if he had their support.

SPEAKER_09 31:54

Well I met Nigel in the other week, nice man. He's having a pint, chilling out, doing his thing. Do you think you would give him your vote in this by-election? Oh well I would, yeah, I'd back him every day of the week.

SPEAKER_20 32:04

I'm all over Nigel, he's great.

SPEAKER_09 32:05

You'd be voting for him?

SPEAKER_20 32:06

I will definitely be voting for him, I'll be the first in the queue. Why? Because he's an absolutely top bloke, he talks sense, and and I do think he's been absolutely annihilated in the press recently, and it's absolutely disgusting. And um I'm right behind him. I think he's done the right thing.

SPEAKER_16 32:23

So, what about you guys? Could I get a quick comment?

SPEAKER_20 32:25

We're exactly the same as what this lady just said.

SPEAKER_14 32:28

They were targeting his family and which is all wrong. You know, it doesn't matter what he says, they all boo him, they're like a load of kids, sheep. Are you guys residents then? Okay. I've met him a few times. Yeah, he's a he's a nice bloke. And he talks common sense, you know.

SPEAKER_05 32:43

Yeah, we'll do what we can.

SPEAKER_15 32:45

Alright. In the office, Nigel was hard at work whilst his team buzzed around him coordinating the campaign. Can I just ask first, how are you feeling before yesterday's announcement, and how are you feeling now?

SPEAKER_06 32:57

Well, I just thought it was the right thing to do. I think, you know, effectively I'm being treated like a war criminal. Um it's quite astonishing. Uh, and it's like, you know, our mainstream media think the sort of that we have to defer to them at all times. Um, and I just don't buy that. I mean, you know, you look at today's press, oh well, he doesn't want scrutiny, blah, blah, blah. I don't mind scrutiny, but I do mind illegally obtained information. I do mind computer hacking. I genuinely mind those things and the intimidation of my family. And so I just thought it had all reached such a frenzy, I had to do something. I've done something positive. I mean, they wanted a by-election here. Well, now they've got one and they don't and they don't want to stand because they know what the result would be. Tell you what's remarkable. 2019, the Conservatives here got 31,000 votes, and Kemi doesn't want to, and Kemi doesn't want to compete. I find that really, really interesting. So, yeah, we're here, we're in it, we've started, and there was a sort of minor rumour they might try and prevent the by-election from going ahead, but I now hear it is going to go ahead. So I think we're probably on course for August the 6th. And how do you feel about the other parties labelling it as a stunt? Well, they've got to say something. If they're not prepared to stand, they've got to say something. Um and it may be out of the ordinary compared to how they would do things, but then everything I've done in my life's been out of the ordinary. I never conform to what everybody else thinks and does.

SPEAKER_15 34:25

Would you rather have um proper opposition from the other major parties?

SPEAKER_06 34:29

Well, I would really. I'd much rather the Tories and Labour stood, but if they don't want to, they don't want to. I guess because they think they'll do badly against us. So, yeah, and you know what, they might change their mind still.

SPEAKER_13 34:42

And how do you feel it sort of changes the campaign for you moving forward? Obviously, you love campaigning.

SPEAKER_06 34:47

It won't it won't change anything. I mean, you know, we we we will get some comedy characters, we're gonna get, you know, um howling Lord Hoth of the Monster Raving and Bin Face, and um so it'll be a bit of a circus from that element, but for me, um it'd be a fantastic chance to get around the whole constituency, meet constituents, um, and if I'm re-elected, I've no doubt there'd be a lot of things to do for them. But I think there are two things really one is there's a lot of local issues to focus on, but two, it's an opportunity to talk about national issues, which frankly have been washed under the carpet. The media is obsessed for the last ten days about me, not about the boats crossing my channel, not about the debt exploding. So I will I will try and move things onto the national uh stage as well.

SPEAKER_15 35:37

Perfect. Thanks for your time, Chiers.

SPEAKER_25 35:53

Beautiful. See you later.

SPEAKER_11 35:56

See ya. Bye.

SPEAKER_15 35:57

Next on the agenda for Nigel was a walkabout in the constituency, meeting business owners and members of the public.

SPEAKER_06 36:04

I'm here at Round Up in Walton, and would you, Adam and Eve it? Here is one of my leaflets from the campaign two years ago. Good start to the campaign.

SPEAKER_15 36:15

As we wandered the streets, I was struck by how many business owners knew Nigel and have clearly met him many times. This was far from the mainstream media narrative that he was never in Clacton.

SPEAKER_28 36:26

We are all in here with very much for reform. He's just, you know, he's doing his job, trying to do the best for the local people. He's the only people who actually speaks speaks up for the local people.

SPEAKER_13 36:34

Sometimes people say, oh Nigel's not in Clackton enough, he doesn't do enough for the local area. What's your view?

SPEAKER_18 36:39

Well, I do I have seen him in my shop a couple of times now, and I've also been to um a business surgery that he did, and that is you know very good that you know he's spending time and I see him walking around Clacton and things like that.

SPEAKER_15 36:53

So it's nonsense.

SPEAKER_18 36:54

Well, yeah, I mean he's often round here. Yeah.

SPEAKER_15 36:57

Nigel, you seem to have a real affinity with a lot of the small business owners around here.

SPEAKER_06 37:01

I've visited so many of them, um, you know, over the last couple of years. I've made a real object of trying to support local business. So hence, as you see, I know a lot of these people. You know, all the nonsense you hear in Westminster, oh, he's never in the constituency. Most people you meet will say they've met him, oh, we've met him before, we've seen him around. So, you know, I've tried my I've tried my hardest to be as accessible to people as possible.

SPEAKER_15 37:26

Later, as I walked up and down Walton without Nigel, most of the residents told me he had their support. What do you think about this by-election that's taking place?

SPEAKER_24 37:35

Very interesting. Yeah, well. Yeah, I think they're trying to find the dirt on Farage and there isn't any. And they refuse to accept that. So I think it's a very anymore. I don't think a lot of people do, but um, it'll be very interesting. I think they'll vote him straight back in again.

SPEAKER_13 37:52

Some people are saying it's a bit of a stunt by Nigel.

SPEAKER_15 37:54

How do you feel about it? Would you vote for him?

SPEAKER_32 37:56

Well, I'm voting for him, yeah. I I don't believe it's a stunt. I'm hoping he he can do something because nobody else seems to. Do you feel like he's done anything wrong? No.

unknown 38:05

No.

SPEAKER_32 38:05

Tell us why.

SPEAKER_14 38:06

Because ain't me giving a chance, and I'll tell you what, they're all out to get him. What do you think about the fact the Tories aren't standing anyone in this?

SPEAKER_30 38:15

Uh I do I'd find it strange people moan about one party, but now they've got the chance to actually swing people's votes that don't.

SPEAKER_29 38:24

Good luck to him. He's the only one that's got any any guts to say anything and take on the establishment. So yeah, let's hope he does well.

SPEAKER_23 38:32

Well, I think the by-election is a good idea simply because he's stating his case. What's been done to him is gone on for long enough. He hasn't committed any crime. His money was done before he was an MP. They're too quick to jump on him, and to go round his daughter's ass and then make their self right is disgusting.

SPEAKER_09 38:53

Do you think he's done anything wrong? Do you think he's guilty of anything? No, you're not if he got the money before he was elected, how can he have done something wrong?

SPEAKER_15 39:00

One woman I met sitting outside a cafe perhaps summed up the general feeling in the town best.

SPEAKER_21 39:06

I think that um the establishment have been absolutely appalling to Nigel. I think he's a good man and the way they treat him, they just persecute him all the time, and he's only doing good for this country. And a lot of people, I voted reform, mum voted reform, and I I will still vote reform. We do not want the Labor government in anymore, they're all the same.

SPEAKER_15 39:27

Now they're slagging it off saying this is just a political stunt by Nigel. You know, they're not even going to stand any candidates because of that. Do you think it's because they think it's a stunt, or do you think that they're really just frit, they're scared.

SPEAKER_21 39:38

They're running scared because they know he's so popular, everybody likes him because what he says is correct.

SPEAKER_15 39:44

Obviously, he was given a five million pound gift, it's a lot of money. I wouldn't have turned it down. I have to say, do you think he's done anything wrong?

SPEAKER_21 39:51

No, I don't. He needs that money because look what happened to the man in South End, the MP, that was knifed to death. And look what Sky News have done, they've now gone to Nigel's daughter's house, found where she's living. What right have they got to do that? But I wish Nigel all the best, and he will still win, and it will be like to the establishment listen, because you're not listening. What passion.

SPEAKER_16 40:15

Love it. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you, ladies. Cheers.

SPEAKER_15 40:27

As I was editing this episode on Friday morning, GB News reported the sad death of Reform UK immigration spokeswoman Anne Whittakom.

SPEAKER_12 40:35

A reminder if you've just joined us that the news this morning, the breaking news, is that Anne Whittakom has died. Um, which is a bit of a shock. 78 years old, no one had she was working up until the last minute, no one had any idea there was a problem.

SPEAKER_15 40:47

Anne had been a truly remarkable figure in British public life, a formidable Conservative minister under John Major. She later served as an MEP, became a best-selling author and TV personality, and a passionate advocate for Reform UK. Known for her deep religious convictions, she was respected across the political spectrum for her strong moral principles and uncompromising views on law and order, immigration and family values.

SPEAKER_26 41:14

We've made it very clear that if you arrive in this country illegally, from a perfectly safe Rom, which when I last looked France was, then you have no claim to asylum and you will be refused.

SPEAKER_15 41:34

By mid-afternoon, the tone shifted from sadness to horror when Devon and Cornwall Police announced they were launching a murder inquiry. Details were still sparse, but it appeared her body had been discovered on Thursday, around 24 hours after she'd been attacked in her home. On Saturday, I travelled to the village of Haytor on the edge of Dartmoor. It's a quiet, picturesque place. Tiny, winding country lanes lined with hedgerows and open heathland, where wild ponies and horses roam freely. A peaceful corner of Devon that now felt heavy with shock and sadness.

SPEAKER_00 42:22

It's just terrible, no. You don't expect to hear things like this. No, it's very sad.

SPEAKER_16 42:28

Heartbreaking, heartbreaking news.

SPEAKER_12 42:30

We just think it's gruesome.

SPEAKER_08 42:32

A lovely lady, a really lovely lady, very much engrossed in our local culture, and we're shocked. I'm shocked.

SPEAKER_15 42:39

As Nigel arrived to pay his respects, his emotion was clear. Very sad day.

SPEAKER_06 42:45

Desperate. Desperate. And here we are on beautiful Hay Tour, which she loves so much. The manner of her violent death and the beauty of this place, the contrast is astonishing.

SPEAKER_15 42:55

I've been speaking to a number of residents, locals, people say she was much loved, she was well known in the community. They'd see her at the garden centre in the cafe, and she was very active.

SPEAKER_06 43:03

Very active, but she had the privacy of a house where, you know, being the celebrity that she was, she found real peace and solitude. And I'm like I've been to a house with her and been a welcome guest there. It's desperate stuff.

SPEAKER_15 43:17

On the heath, close to Anne's home, Reforb had created a memorial of flowers. Nigel stepped up and laid a wreath. A note attached, signed by Nigel, simply read, Anne Whiticombe R.I.P., loved by millions.

SPEAKER_06 43:30

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. We're here on Hay Tour, up high on an absolutely magnificent, beautiful day. Anne's house just down the road from us, a place where I was a welcome visitor more than once. And she really loved this place. She loved the moor in all its moods, she loved its wildlife. She enjoyed the panoramic views from a bungalow right across looking out over the English. Channel, and while she was part of the community here and very well known, she also had that solitude and peace in her home, in her garden that meant so very, very much to her. She really did love this place, and it seems extraordinary on a beautiful day like this to think of the not only untimely but violent, barbaric manner of her death. She was a remarkable individual, redoubtable, I think. The word was invented for her. Opponents knew exactly what to expect from her, and at times, I have to say, colleagues did feel the wrath of her tongue. She was the fiercest proponent of free speech I think I've ever met. She believed that we had the freedom and the right to say things that insulted each other. Her career in politics, of course, spann decades as a minister, and then for many years as a shadow minister. And I spoke to one of her colleagues last night who said during those years in the shadow cabinet, she was the only one who always, always, always spoke up for what she believed to be the national interest. Her patriotism was deep within her, deep within her family. She was immensely proud of the work her father had done with the Royal Navy during the war. But she was so much more than just a politician. After 2010, suddenly Anne Whittacombe, the socially conservative Christian politician, suddenly appears on Strictly Come Dancing, on Big Brother, doing theatre tours all around the country. One, you know, one-woman evening shows with Anne Whittackbomb, writing novels. Quite remarkable what she did. And then suddenly in 2019, as it appeared that the Brexit vote wasn't actually going to be carried out by the government or parliament, I took a phone call one day. Anne Whittagham here. I sort of stood to attention. I mean, you would, uh, announcing that she'd love to run for us in the European elections. Her joining what was a completely brand new party directly contributed to us winning by country mile six weeks later, the removal of Theresa May, Boris Johnson becoming Prime Minister, and Brexit happening. She played a very major role in getting Brexit over the line. Although, having said that, she was pretty unhappy with the Brexit deal. It wasn't the one that she actually wanted. As a colleague, she was phenomenal. Her work rate was unbelievable. She'd turn up anywhere in the country to speak, and of course, unlike modern politicians, Anne didn't need notes. She stood restride the stage, knowing exactly what she had to say. Her convictions were fierce. She never sought popularity for the sake of it. She just stood up and fought for what she believed in. She was a great colleague, loved by all of us that worked with her, even if, as I say at times, she would tell me I was wrong in terms of what I was doing, in no uncertain terms. And I've come here today to lay this wreath and to start this memorial. Not just on my own behalf, not just on behalf of the Reform Party, but on behalf of many, many millions around this country that admired her, loved her, thought she was a remarkable human being who made a massive contribution to public life in Britain over very, very, many decades. May the God that she believed in bless her soul.

SPEAKER_15 47:39

One journalist asked Nigel for his fondest memory of Anne.

SPEAKER_06 47:43

Oh, I do know what? After a busy day in the European Parliament, where we were under attack from everybody, and she was fighting back in the chamber, I said to her, Anne, I said, I feel like a shrinking violet, you know, next to you. We went over the road to a bar and drank several large whiskies on the rocks, which she thoroughly enjoyed. And it was just that sense that even though what you saw in public was this fierce five foot one and a half battling fighter, there was a much lighter side to Anne. And that was enjoying a drink, not in length, of course. Um, and also watching how she was with drivers, security people, waiters, waitresses, and it's a very good way to judge powerful, famous people. How do they treat everybody else? And she always did it with the most remarkable dignity.

SPEAKER_15 48:36

The Reform UK podcast was produced and presented by me, Ray Addison. At the time of posting this episode, it's still too early to speculate on the motive of Anne's killer, but her death has naturally raised fresh concerns about the safety of those in public life, the intense scrutiny they face, and the need for better personal security. If you'd like to leave a message of condolence in memory of Anne Whittakom, please go to reformparty.uk forward slash Anne. Thanks to Nigel, Richard, Zia, Danny, Suwela, Lee, Leila, the people of Clacton and Haytor, and of course you for listening. If you'd like to chat with other listeners about the show, you can join the Reform UK podcast community on Facebook. We'll be back with a brand new episode on Monday. Goodbye.