Comment by zh3
13 days ago
In this particular case, the main stream parties did not take part (i.e. field candidates) because the current MP (Farage) resigned just to retake his own seat - basically trying to distract from his dodgy dealings with crypto bros and convicted fraudsters.
I would have voted Count Binface too (as the least absurd candidate).
Farage basically managed to dodge the investigation into his non-declaration of £5m for about five weeks (due to him not being an MP). Now that he's an MP again, the investigation has re-opened. What's likely to happen is that he'll get suspended for breaking the rules and there'll be yet another Clacton by-election.
Clacton has to bear all the costs of these by-elections, but then it's their own fault for being stupid enough to follow Farage.
I very much cannot understand why the parties did not take part. So happily letting him take back a seat he abandoned earlier for whatever reasons? Or what is even the point of not competing? He can be investigated whether in office or not, so that's not a point.
> basically trying to distract from his dodgy dealings with crypto bros and convicted fraudsters.
No, so he can say that the voters have spoken and that they don't care.
It seems to be that it's common belief in right wing parties that winning an election means all cases against you are dropped. They aren't, unless you get elected president of the US. But I think that's where they're all getting it from.