Nigel Farage, the Reform UK MP for Clacton-on-Sea, earned £270,000 for promoting gold bullion firm Direct Bullion, according to his latest register of financial interests. The payment, his largest single declared sum since becoming an MP, covers an estimated four hours of work per month over three months. Direct Bullion sells gold bars and coins by post, urging customers to “seize back control of your wealth.”
Mixed reactions in Clacton-on-Sea
Residents and visitors in Farage’s constituency expressed divided opinions. Alf Wyatt, 76, a retired electrician and Labour voter, said: “The best place for him would be in Europe – get him out of our way! All the people round here should be totally against what he says, but there you go.” Steve Rogers, 75, from neighbouring Holland-on-Sea, noted that Clacton “is more run down every time you come into it” and added: “I don't think he's done a lot for the area, he's too busy appearing in photoshoots and on telly – he's not trying to do anything for Clacton.”
Support and criticism
Angelo Sofroniou, in his 60s, a former Labour supporter who moved to Clacton in March, said: “I like him – I like he's saying about we in this country giving away too much foreign aid – and I think the money should go on the people that live here.” John Mason, 80, commented: “I think he's entitled to do that.” However, his wife Beverley, 71, added: “He could do with coming down a bit more.”
Lack of constituency presence
Despite being MP for two years, Farage has no physical constituency office in Clacton and does not hold face-to-face surgeries, citing security concerns. Locals must contact him online. Complaints about anti-social behaviour, unreliable buses, and boarded-up High Street shops were common among those interviewed.
Local regeneration efforts
Councillor Gary Scott, 50, from the local Lib Dem-Labour-Independent council, highlighted regeneration plans: “We're doing a lot to bring investment here to improve the area – the administration's been in power since 2023, before Nigel Farage was elected in 2024.” On the bullion controversy, he said: “Personally, I think MPs should concentrate on doing what they're doing as MPs. People elect MPs to do MP work – though it's up to Mr Farage as to how he wants do things.”
