Reform Candidate Dislodged By Nigel Farage To Run As Independent Against Him
Reform UK leader and the party's candidate in Clacton Nigel Farage (Alamy)
2 min read
The former Reform UK candidate for Clacton, Anthony Mack, is preparing to stand against Nigel Farage as an independent.
Mack has quit the Reform Party and has said he was "disappointed" to be replaced by its new leader.
On Monday, Farage threw a major curve ball into the 4 July General Election campaign by announcing that he was replacing Richard Tice as leader of the right-wing party and standing as the party's candidate for in Clacton.
However, his decision meant that Mack, who was originally chosen by Reform to contest the Tory-held constituency, was forced to make way.
Mack has publicly voiced support for Farage’s return until now. In a statemet seen by PoliticsHome, Mack said he was "told just 15 minutes before [Farage] intended announcing his decision to the world".
He said: "Upon reflection and given my recent experience with him and his staff I am very concerned that Mr Farage does not understand the local issues as I do and will not serve the Clacton constituency as it deserves to be served."
"I may not be an international figure, but I know full well what my priorities are and feel I am still the best man to represent this constituency."
The former Reform member was still liking social media posts regarding his candidacy in the days leading up to Farage’s "emergency" press conference, indicating he had no warning Farage would be replacing him in Clacton.
He liked a post on X, the social media website formerly known as Twitter, responding to rumours of Farage standing that read: “Not going to happen! On 5th [sic] July Tony Mack our fantastic Reform Party candidate will be the new MP for Clacton.”
Recent Survation polling suggests that Farage is on course to win in Clacton, with a January survey putting him in first place with 37 per cent of the vote. Comparatively, when Mack was the candidate he was predicted to come third behind Labour and the Conservatives.
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