Farage denies resignation is publicity stunt as Reform proposes August by-election date

Farage said he was not sure if he was still an MP, but soon after the BBC interview Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she had accepted his resignation.

"If he wants to spend the summer arguing with a bin, I won't stop him," she wrote on X, referring to by-election rival Count Binface.

Actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox, of nearby Peldon, announced on Tuesday evening he would be standing against Farage, Count Binface and Adham Alkhatip, who leads the Forward Party.

Asked about what he had done for Clacton since becoming its MP, Farage said: "I've done my absolute best to put it on the map in terms of tourism and visits.

"I know the road getting here is a pain but, actually, when you get here you've got great beaches."

He pledged to prioritise potholes and stopping housing developments opposed by locals if re-elected.

"You give me a big vote and we'll continue our political revolution," Farage continued.

"If you don't do it then I think the establishment will just go on and go on working together in an attempt to crush a genuine chance at political change."