Nigel Farage live: Protestors and supporters clash in Clacton as Reform leader pledges to be ‘bloody nuisance’
Farage launches campaign in Essex constituency in major blow to the Tories
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Newly-crowned Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has kicked off his general election campaign in Clacton today, as he promised to be a “bloody nuisance” in Westminster.
In his first major public speech since announcing his candidacy he addressed a crowd of hundreds at Clacton Pier.
Shouts from the crowd included “get ‘em Nige” and “we love you Nigel”. He told those gathered: “Send me to Parliament to be a bloody nuisance.”
But Mr Farage did not have to go to Westminster to stir up chaos, as his supporters clashed with protestors over a sign that said: “Farage not welcome in Clacton”.
The Reform UK leader in the Essex constituency, a staunchly Brexit-backing constituency, which is believed to hold favourable odds for him– but it will be his party’s impact on the national picture that is of most concern to the Conservatives.
Earlier today, Mr Farage dove into his first day on the campaign trail by calling for a zero net migration policy.
He told BBC Radio 4 Today programme that the UK should prevent the entry of non-essential migrants which he defined as “unskilled” and “physical, manual labour”.
In pictures: Crowds line the streets to listen to Farage’s first campaign speech
Farage protestors and supporters clash in Clacton
Clashes broke out between Nigel Farage supporters and protestors during the Reform UK leader’s campaign speech in Clacton-on-Sea.
Among the large crowd listening to the former Ukip leader speak, three protestors held a sign that reads: “Farage not welcome in Clacton”.
Enraged supporters approached the protestors and called them “traitors”.
Farage: ‘Send me to Parliament to be a bloody nuisance'
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he would be a “bloody nuisance” in Westminster if elected as MP in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.
In his first major public speech since announcing his candidacy he addressed a crowd of hundreds at Clacton Pier.
Shouts from the crowd included “get ‘em Nige” and “we love you Nigel”.
He told those gathered: “Send me to Parliament to be a bloody nuisance.”
In pictures: Farage in Clacton-on-Sea
Farage addresses crowd in Clacton-on-Sea
David Maddox reports live from Clacton-on-sea:
Nigel Farage arrived before the crowds in Clacton to applause and cheers as Richard Tice introduced the new leader of Reform UK as the “next MP for Clacton”.
Swerving past some initial microphone failures and three protestors holding a sign that reads: “Farage not welcome in Clacton”, the former Ukip leader began his speech by accusing Tories and Labour of “not being true patriots like you people here in Clacton”.
‘People keep calling us racist but we are not’
Nick Phillips, who moved to Clacton to work at Butlins in 1969, is a Tory voter who is switching to Reform.
Speaking to David Maddox, he said: “We need change. People keep calling us racist but we are not. I voted Brexit and the Conservatives just haven’t delivered for us “
Richard Tice arrives at Clactor Pier
Richard Tice arrives at Clacton Pier, Essex, where leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage will launch his General Election campaign.
Clacton-on-sea packed out as people gather to see Farage
Our political editor David Maddox is in Clacton-on-Sea to report live as Nigel Farage launches his campaign as leader of Reform UK.
People are lining the bridges and packing in to see the former Ukip leader, he said.
Nigel Farage is due to launch his campaign in Clacton-on-Sea imminently. Stay tuned for the latest.
Nigel Farage in Clacton-on-Sea to launch his campaign
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