The Reform UK party's sudden shift in focus has raised eyebrows among insiders and opposition leaders alike. In a WhatsApp message reportedly sent to its activists in north-west England, the party has instructed them to drop their efforts to secure a major victory in Greater Manchester and instead rally behind Nigel Farage's bid to retain his Clacton constituency seat.
The directive marks a significant change in strategy for Reform UK, which had been eyeing a strong showing in the region after performing well in May's local elections, winning 106 seats across the area with two million voters. Polls had indicated they were narrowly trailing Labour, and the Greater Manchester by-election on 30th July was set to be one of the largest ever held in Britain.
However, Farage's decision to trigger a snap by-election in Clacton has seemingly taken priority. The seat, which Farage holds after being elected in 2024, is expected to be the focus of a 'people versus the establishment' contest, with Farage framing his decision as an opportunity for voters to express their discontent. The by-election on 6th August comes just a week after the Manchester vote.
Rival parties have already pounced on the move, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch calling it a 'fake by-election', Labour describing it as a 'circus', and the Liberal Democrats labelling it 'Farage's vanity project'. Currently, only novelty candidate Count Binface and Reclaim Party leader Laurence Fox have announced their intention to stand against Farage, as his main rivals have declared they will boycott the contest.
Insiders close to the party have expressed concern over the decision, suggesting that diverting campaigners from supporting local businesswoman and television personality Sian Astley in Manchester may damage Reform UK's reputation. One councillor reportedly described the move as 'desperate' and suggested it might indicate the party is unsure of its chances in what was once a Labour stronghold.