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Carl Benjamin: This would actually be an inredible...

This would actually be an inredible riposte by the establishment to Farage. Farage calling the by-election was a savvy move on the assumption that everyone would actually treat it like a by-election and that his victory would signal strength, in much the same way Andy Burnham is leveraging his win in Makerfield. However, that assumes that everyone else recognises the legitimacy of the challenge. If nobody stands opposed then Farage is left looking lonely and rejected. Worse still, if Farage is only entertained by court jesters, then he looks ridiculous himself. What was a masterstroke turns into a ritual humiliation before the entire nation--and that's assuming that he wins.

June Slater: How I see it...

How I see it 👇👇👇 Don't panic ... What Nigel has done is very clever. It sucks the oxygen out of the growing anti-reform/Nigel scapegoating which was going on for the past three weeks. This by election is now the story which will dominate silly season, which is when Westminster is in recess and the media whores have nothing to feast on. It also takes the shine off Andy Burnham's star role, Labour will hate it . It conveniently refocuses the narrative onto Nigel; puts him back on the front foot and demonstrates leadership, control of the narrative and political savvy. It gives Nigel a platform in Clacton to talk about policies not individual people, and it will also highlight the appalling nature of Burnham’s decision to call a by election and have himself appointed rather than elected Prime Minister. If the standards committee continues its investigation to the point at which it censures him, it will only underline the fact that this was a political technocratic decision, not one with which the people of Clacton agree, and makes it harder for the establishment technocrats to deliver their kangaroo Court verdict of a 10+ day suspension which would trigger a recall and byelection; if they do that he will win yet again and demonstrate the futility of their antidemocratic agenda. It's an outward and visible sign that Nigel Farage is leagues ahead of anyone in this political arena. 😘

Dale Vince: Farage just described rules as...

Farage just described rules as " foul means" with which to beat him. Standards as an offensive weapon. He's so angry that the press came for his family....that he's resigning....his daughter's address should not have been published, if it was, but the families and addresses of immigrants have that same exposure. The man who called for "pure cold rage" which resulted in riots and police injuries, is a bit of a hypocrite. His answer is a popularity contest, of course. Votes in Clacton don't overide rules and standards and laws. Farage is Britain's Trump mini me. 🤮
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