In Clacton-on-Sea, UK, the midday sun shines over the quiet seafront as Lee wanders around, seeking shade. He jokes about not giving his name out to an ice cream stand vendor, wary of being mistaken for the police. At 75, with slicked-back grey hair and a red polo shirt, Lee expresses his distrust of the media and political class, reminiscing about a time when respect and manners were valued. He plans to vote for Nigel Farage and his Reform UK party, a right-wing populist movement shaking up the local political landscape.
The Labour Party is still expected to win the majority in the upcoming election, but Farage’s decision to stand in Clacton has given Reform a boost. Many locals, like Lee, are concerned about undocumented immigration and support Reform’s focus on this issue. Some believe in conspiracy theories about migrants being terrorists, while others, like financial consultant Jeff Bray, acknowledge the complexity of the situation.
Reform’s manifesto, branded as a “contract,” includes proposals to freeze non-essential immigration, tax companies for employing migrants, and intercept illegal migrants at sea. Supporters like Keith Bloomfield express concerns about immigration leading to crime and believe Farage’s leadership is the solution.
However, not everyone in Clacton shares these views. Some, like Lynne, focus on the impact of immigration on local job opportunities. Despite the town’s visible economic struggles, data shows that immigration is not the root cause of these issues. Green Party candidate Natasha Osben expresses frustration with Farage’s rise and believes he is exploiting the town’s disenchantment for political gain.
While migration remains a central issue for voters, the reality of the situation is more nuanced than political rhetoric suggests. Farage’s focus on immigration as the source of all problems is met with skepticism by those who see the town’s challenges as more complex than a single issue can address.