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A Heswall councillor has defended Nigel Farage's action to resign as an MP and open a by-election following the controversy over Farage accepting a £5 million gift from a cryptocurrency billionaire.
As reported by Birkenhead News, Councillor Andrew Hodson, who represents Heswall ward for Reform UK, said he understands why the party leader has called what he describes as a 'people versus the establishment by-election' in Clacton.
Mr Farage announced he would step down as the MP for the Essex seaside town after facing questions about the gift from a Thailand-based investor. He has since confirmed he will stand in the by-election prompted by his own resignation, saying voters 'should be the judges of my actions'.
Councillor Hodson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "I understand why Nigel has done what he has. He wanted to test how people feel about him."
He added: "I do feel the establishment is ganging up because they are petrified about Nigel getting into Number 10."
When asked what he meant by 'the establishment', Hodson said: "The other parties. They know the gravy train is about to end."
The veteran Wirral councillor is one of three Reform UK representatives for Heswall ward. He left the Conservative group last year alongside his wife, Councillor Kathy Hodson, and Councillor Graham Davies. After a period as independents, the trio joined Mr Farage's party, becoming Reform's first councillors in Wirral.
The £5m gift has sparked debate about political donations and security. Farage has argued he needs the money to fund security, as he has claimed to be 'the most physically and verbally attacked public figure or politician of modern times'.
Councillor Hodson highlighted the issue of security, referencing the murder of Ann Widdecombe. Widdecombe was the Conservative MP for Maidstone from 1987 to 2010. She joined Reform UK, formerly known as the Brexit Party, in 2019. She was murdered in her home, which police are saying was a targeted attack, on July 8. A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder. However, proceedings for the case are still ongoing.
Labour, the Conservatives, the Greens, the Liberal Democrats and Restore Britain have all announced they will not field candidates in the by-election. The Green Party said it would play no part in a 'political circus'.
Councillor Hodson accused the other parties of being 'cowards' for not standing, saying 'they knew Nigel would win'.
Candidates for the Clacton by-election include Count Binface, a fish finger, several independents and representatives from smaller parties, as well as Mr Farage.
