Will Farage’s gamble pay off?

Political Fix hit the Essex seaside this week to hear directly from Clacton voters ahead of the by-election next Thursday, which Nigel Farage has triggered in the wake of scrutiny of his finances. He’s framing it as a “people versus the establishment” contest – but what do local residents think? Why, at a time when his national ratings have plunged, does the Reform leader’s popularity in Clacton appear undiminished?  Host Lucy Fisher is joined by political correspondent Anna Gross and UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley to discuss the contest and Reform’s broader fortunes. Plus, the trio examine Kemi Badenoch's judgement in supporting the council candidacy of a former neo-Nazi, as well as the Tories’ and Labour’s efforts to convince business of their respective growth credentials.  Follow: Lucy @LOS_Fisher or @lucyfisher.ft.com; Anna, @AnnaSophieGross and Robert:  Want more?  ‘I’ll support him all the way’: Clacton voters rally to Nigel Farage despite heightened scrutinyThe good, the bad and the green of BadenochReform repaid Tice loan on same day £1mn donated by mother of Farage aide CottrellReform UK promises large-scale ‘military operation’ to block small boat crossingsKemi Badenoch ‘sad’ over former antisemite’s withdrawal as Tory council candidate Conservatives rebuild relations with UK business after rocky two yearsUK to strip back procurement rules to focus on job creation, says Louise Haigh You can also sign up here for Stephen Bush’s morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek views. Get 30 days free. Political Fix was presented by Lucy Fisher and produced by Persis Love and Clare Williamson. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The broadcast engineers are Andrew Georgiades and Petros Gioumpasis.  Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.