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Harrogate MP hits out at Nigel Farage over Clacton by-election

Wednesday, 8 July 2026 09:41

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon.

Local MP Tom Gordon has criticised Nigel Farage after he announced he would trigger a by-election in his Clacton constituency.

Tom, Lib Dem MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, accused the Reform UK leader of putting "ego" before constituents.

He also claimed the move would cost taxpayers "hundreds of thousands of pounds."

In a statement, Tom said:

"So, after complaining about the Government wasting taxpayer money, Nigel Farage is triggering a by-election, costing the taxpayer hundreds of thousands of pounds to pump up his ego and dodge questions about his finances.

"This isn’t about the people of Clacton, it never has been, and we all know it - as usual, it’s all about him.

“They’re being used as a human shield in a vanity stunt to buy time while the Parliamentary Committee on Standards investigation continues.

"He’s rattled and thrashing out. I hope this farce is boycotted by every party that still believes politics is about putting constituents first.”

The by-election announcement comes amid an ongoing Parliamentary Committee on Standards investigation involving Mr Farage.

Tom said he believes elected representatives should put the interests of their constituents ahead of political tactics.

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