Polls show that Clacton-on-Sea seat is likely to be a close three-horse race between Labour, the Conservatives, and Reform UK
By Shajil KumarJun 18, 2024
Nigel Farage's brand of politics has found a home in the English seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea, where voters described the Reform UK leader as a straight talker who, unlike other candidates, understands their problems and wants to solve them.
Britain's July 4 election will be Farage's eighth attempt to win a seat in parliament after the anti-EU, anti-immigration campaigner entered the race proclaiming his aim to supplant the ruling Conservatives as the main party of the right.
Farage is an expensively educated former financial trader. But decades of railing against the establishment have earned him the trust of supporters who feel other politicians talk down to them.
"I feel like he's more normal. He understands us," Venetia Maynard, 29, a cleaner, said while out shopping on Monday.
Clacton has all the hallmarks of a British seaside resort: fish and chips, ice creams, and pockets of deprivation left by a shrunken tourism industry and decades of underinvestment.
Interviewed on the day Farage launched his Reform UK's plan for government, Maynard said she was going to vote for him although she didn't know that much about his policies.
Under Britain's electoral system, Reform can't win this election, Farage himself said on Monday. But he says Reform can emerge as the main opposition to a centre-left government of the Labour Party, which is forecast by polls to win a thumping majority.
First, Farage himself must win a seat in Clacton. Polls show the seat is likely to be a close three-horse race between Labour, the Conservatives and Reform.
Although he has been heckled on the campaign trail elsewhere, pelted with a milkshake and chunks of debris, no one in Clacton seemed to have a harsh word for him.
"I think he represents the working class a lot more than general politicians do. I mean, they’re so out of touch with the working class. How can they represent a labourer or a cleaner or a bus driver?" said Michael Chaplin, 32, a roofer, as he strolled along the seafront. Clacton is a place where many people feel left behind, he said.
Kevin Ives, 63, a carer, said Farage was “brilliant” and he would vote for him. "Because he says what’s totally obvious. If we keep bringing people into this country at the rate we are: eventually disaster."
All about Nigel
Cultivating an image of a pub-loving British patriot, Farage spent over 20 years as an elected member of the European Parliament while arguing for its abolition.
But although his party was able to win spots in European elections held under proportional representation, he never managed to win a seat of his own in parliament in the UK, under a first-past-the-post system that requires winning the most votes in a constituency.
In recent years he has worked the U.S. television circuit as a pro-Trump pundit.
Giles Watling, the Conservative candidate who has represented the area since 2017, said Farage had a "great personality" but voters should pick a candidate who cares more about the local area.
"What Nigel is doing is all about Nigel, and he doesn't really give two hoots for Clacton," Watling said.
Farage's previous political party, the pro-Brexit UK Independence Party, tasted its first success in Clacton when in 2014 a Conservative lawmaker defected to them and successfully defended the seat until 2017.
With Britain now outside the European Union, Farage's new mantra is that "Britain is Broken" - a message that resonates with voters who blame the ruling party for a turbulent and economically painful few years.
"I just think he’s a breath of fresh air," said Phil Tyler, 78, who works for the supermarket chain Tesco. "He gives me the sense that he’s really going to try and do something for this country." (Reuters)
AN AMERICAN woman wore a niqab as a disguise after being hired to kill a shopkeeper in Birmingham, but the gun jammed during the attack, Birmingham crown court was told.
Aimee Betro, 45, from Wisconsin, is accused of conspiring to murder Sikander Ali on September 7, 2019, in South Yardley. She denies the charge, The Times reported.
Prosecutor Tom Walkling KC said the incident was part of a long-running vendetta involving Aslat Mahamud’s family. Co-accused Mohammed Aslam, 59, and Mohammed Nabil Nazir, 31, allegedly conspired with Betro in revenge after they were injured during a 2018 incident at Mahamud’s clothing shop.
The court heard Betro bought a Mercedes and waited outside Mahamud’s home. When Ali arrived, CCTV captured her approaching and firing at close range, but the gun jammed. Ali reversed his SUV, damaging the Mercedes door.
Later, Betro allegedly returned by taxi and fired three shots at the house, breaking windows. She also allegedly sent texts to Ali’s father, saying, “Where are you hiding?... Stop playing hide and seek” and “Come and meet me, I’m at Asda.”
Betro flew into the UK on August 22 and returned to the US on September 9 after flying from Manchester. She was arrested in Armenia in June last year. Aslam and Nazir were jailed last November.
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Images shared on social media showed the three offering prayers and seeking blessings at the temple. (Photo: Instagram/neasdentemple)
MUKESH AMBANI, chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries, visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in London on July 13, along with his youngest son Anant Ambani and daughter-in-law radhika merchant.
The visit took place a day after Anant and Radhika celebrated their first wedding anniversary on July 12.
Images shared on social media showed the three offering prayers and seeking blessings at the temple, also known as the Neasden Temple.
The temple posted on Instagram: “It was a pleasure to welcome Shri Mukesh, Shri Anant and Shrimati Radhika Ambani to Neasden Temple. They visited seeking darshan and blessings on the occasion of Anant and Radhika’s first wedding anniversary – a devout moment of faith, family, and gratitude.”
The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, inaugurated in 1995 by Swami Maharaj, was hand-carved in India using Italian Carrara and Indian Ambaji marble along with Bulgarian limestone before being assembled in London. It is a prominent Hindu place of worship and a noted architectural site in the UK.
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Secretary of state for business and trade Jonathan Reynolds and India's industry minister Piyush Goyal stand together after they signed a free trade agreement at Chequers near Aylesbury, England, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Kin Cheung/Pool via REUTERS
Most products between India and the UK will now move duty-free, making them cheaper and more competitive.
Sensitive Indian sectors like dairy products, apples, oats, and edible oils are excluded to protect local farmers.
The pact is seen as the biggest of its kind since Brexit and a model for future UK trade deals
THE free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the UK was signed on Thursday (24). This historic pact aims to boost trade, create jobs, and support businesses and farmers in both countries. Under the agreement, tariffs on Scotch whisky will drop to 75 per cent from 150 per cent immediately, and then slide to 40 per cent over the next decade, according to the British government. On cars, India will cut duties to 10 per cent from over 100 per cent under a quota system that will be gradually liberalised. In return, Indian manufacturers will gain access to the UK market for electric and hybrid vehicles, also under a quota system.
What Does the Agreement Do?
Eliminates tariffs (import taxes) on about 99 per cent of goods traded between India and the UK – This means most products can now move between the two countries without extra costs
Covers nearly all sectors: agriculture, textiles, engineering, electronics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, plastics, gems & jewellery, and more
The deal is expected to almost double two-way trade to about £96 billion by 2030
Over 95 per cent of Indian agricultural and processed food products (like fruits, vegetables, cereals, spices, ready-to-eat foods) will enter the UK with zero duty.
Duty-free access is set to boost Indian agricultural exports by more than 20 per cent over three years, moving closer to India’s £80bn agri-export target for 2030.
New market access for non-traditional crops like jackfruit, millets, and organic herbs.
No tariff cuts for sensitive items like dairy, apples, oats, and edible oils – these remain protected for Indian farmers.
Special focus on Indian states with major exports: Maharashtra (grapes, onions), Gujarat (groundnut, cotton), Punjab and Haryana (basmati rice), Kerala (spices).
Services and skilled professionals
Easier mobility for Indian professionals in sectors like IT, architecture, engineering, yoga, music, and cuisine
Indian professionals on short-term contracts will no longer pay social security in the UK.
Innovation and digital trade
Prime minister Keir Starmer and prime minister Narendra Modi of India hug during a press conference after signing a free trade agreement at Chequers near Aylesbury, England, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Kin Cheung/Pool via REUTERS
First-ever innovation chapter: Joint work on new technologies, digital trade, streamlined processes, and mutual recognition of standards will help businesses adapt quickly.
Economic Impact
Expected to add over £20bn per year in increased trade for both sides
Both countries hope to create thousands of new jobs
UK secures £6bn in new investments linked to this agreement
Marine Products
UK tariffs eliminated on Indian seafood, such as shrimp, tuna, and fishmeal. This is significant as these tariffs previously ranged from 4.2 per cent to 8.5 per cent
It will help fisherfolk in states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha earn more through better price realisation.
India currently supplies only about two per cent of UK’s £4.3bn marine import market – the deal opens big room for growth.
Plantation products
Duty-free access for tea, coffee, and spices (e.g. instant coffee) means Indian products can compete better with European exporters such as Germany and Spain.
Boost to value-added exports, like Indian instant coffee.
Textiles and clothing
All 1,143 product categories in this sector now have zero tariffs in the UK
India loses past disadvantages to Bangladesh and Pakistan, who already enjoyed duty-free access.
Sectors set for highest growth: ready-made garments, home textiles, carpets, handicrafts.
India aims to increase its UK market share by at least five per cent within two years.
Engineering and manufacturing
Zero-duty access for a wide range of engineering goods, auto parts, industrial equipment, and construction machinery.
UK is already India’s 6th largest engineering export market.
Tariffs reduced from up to 18 per cent to zero.
Indian exports of engineering goods to UK could nearly double to over £6bn by 2030.
Electronics and IT
Zero-duty for Indian electronic products, such as smartphones and optical fibre cables.
Stronger opportunities for Indian software and IT-enabled services firms, with forecasted 15-20 per cent annual growth from current £25.6bn exports.
Pharmaceuticals and medical devices
UK market, valued at nearly £24bn, opens up with removal of tariffs on Indian generic medicines and medical devices (e.g. surgical instruments, diagnostics)
Increases affordability and competitiveness for Indian exporters.
Chemicals and plastics
India expects a 30-40 per cent boost in chemical exports to UK with removal of tariffs (previously up to eight per cent).
In plastics, duty-free access covers products like films, pipes, packaging, and kitchenware.
Gems, jewellery and leather
Tariffs on leather goods and footwear drop from 16 per cent to zero – good news for MSMEs in Indian hubs such as Agra, Kanpur, and Chennai.
Gems and jewellery exports projected to double in next two to three years
Sports goods, toys, and processed foods also benefit from tariff elimination.
(Agencies)
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Prime minister Keir Starmer welcomes Indian prime minister Narendra Modi at Chequers near Aylesbury, England, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Kin Cheung/Pool via REUTERS
PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer hosted his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at Chequers, the official country residence of the British prime minister, on Thursday (24). The two leaders held a private meeting ahead of in-depth discussions.
Modi arrived in London on Wednesday (23) as part of a two-nation visit to the UK and the Maldives. The formalisation of the FTA is a major highlight of his two-day trip.
In May, India and the UK concluded the FTA, which is expected to benefit 99 per cent of Indian exports by removing tariffs and will simplify the export process for British companies dealing in whisky, cars, and other goods. The agreement is set to boost the overall trade relationship significantly.
The FTA is set to provide significant benefits, as the deal will eliminate tariffs on approximately 99 per cent of tariff lines, covering nearly 100 per cent of the trade value, sources said. It will also simplify the export process for British firms dealing in whisky, cars, and other products destined for India, boosting the overall trade relationship.
Agriculture and allied sectors stand out as major beneficiaries, with Indian farmers gaining market access for high-value products such as vegetables, fruits, basmati rice, cereals, animal products, beverages, oilseeds, and dairy, the sources added.
The pact directly supports India’s ambitious target of achieving £80 billion in agricultural exports by 2030.
In key labour-intensive sectors, duties have been reduced to zero from previously high levels of up to 20 per cent on marine products, 12 per cent on textiles and clothing, 8 per cent on chemicals, and 10 per cent on base metals, the sources said.
Notably, in the processed food sector, tariffs on 99.7 per cent of product lines have been slashed from as high as 70 per cent to zero, providing a substantial boost to Indian exporters. The deal is expected to ensure comprehensive market access for Indian goods across all sectors, including agriculture.
The pact offers a transformative opportunity for businesses across key industries such as agriculture, food processing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, engineering goods, electronics, and marine products.
India currently exports approximately £29.3 billion worth of agricultural goods globally, while the UK imports around £30bn in the sector but sources only some £650m from India, illustrating strong potential for growth in high-value agricultural products.
The UK is a premium market for niche Indian agricultural products such as tea, mangoes, grapes, spices, and marine products.
The India-UK FTA will enable Indian farmers to secure premium prices for these products in the UK market, delivering a ‘seismic shift’ by granting Indian agri-products parity with major EU exporters like Germany and the Netherlands, which currently enjoy zero tariffs, the sources concluded.
(with inputs from agencies)
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The deal was formalised during Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s brief visit to the UK, where he held talks with his British counterpart Keir Starmer. (Photo: Getty Images)
INDIA and the United Kingdom signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday during Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s brief visit to the UK. The deal, finalised after three years of negotiations, aims to boost annual bilateral trade by around £25.5 billion.
The agreement was signed by India’s commerce minister Piyush Goyal and the UK’s secretary of state for business and trade Jonathan Reynolds following formal talks between Modi and prime minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, northwest of London.
Modi arrived in London at around 8.30 pm on Wednesday and is scheduled to leave later on Thursday, spending less than 24 hours in the country.
After the signing, Modi was expected to have lunch with Starmer and meet King Charles at Sandringham.
getty images
Deal details and economic impact
The agreement will reduce tariffs on a wide range of goods and services. India will lower tariffs on nearly 90 per cent of UK goods. Scotch whisky tariffs will fall from 150 per cent to 75 per cent immediately and reduce to 40 per cent over the next decade. Tariffs on cars will drop from over 100 per cent to 10 per cent under a quota system. The UK will also cut tariffs on cosmetics, medical devices, salmon, chocolates, biscuits, clothes, footwear, and food products such as frozen prawns.
The UK will offer duty-free access to 99 per cent of Indian goods. Indian exports including textiles, footwear, gems and jewellery, auto components, chemicals, furniture and machinery will benefit. Average tariffs UK firms face in India will fall to 3 per cent from 15 per cent.
According to the UK government, the agreement is expected to increase UK GDP by £4.8 billion annually in the long term. The UK and India are the sixth and fifth largest global economies, respectively, with current bilateral trade worth around £41 billion. The deal is the UK’s most economically significant bilateral trade agreement since leaving the European Union.
Standing alongside Modi, Starmer said, “This is not the extent or the limit of our collaboration with India. We have unique bonds of history, of family and of culture and we want to strengthen our relationship further, so that it is even more ambitious, modern and focused on the long term.”
He described the agreement as a “landmark moment” and said it would bring “huge benefits” for both countries, making trade “cheaper, quicker and easier.”
Modi called the deal a “blueprint for our shared prosperity” and said the visit would “go a long way in advancing the economic partnership between our nations.”
The FTA includes provisions for temporary business visitors, contractual service providers, yoga instructors, chefs, and musicians, though visa arrangements are not covered.
Indian workers and their employers on temporary postings in the UK will be exempt from paying social security contributions, with estimated annual savings of around £342 million.
Modi and Starmer meet children playing cricket at Chequers.
UK businesses will gain access to India’s non-sensitive government procurement market, which includes about 40,000 tenders worth around £38 billion annually.
The agreement also covers services such as insurance and includes provisions for British firms to participate in Indian projects in areas like clean energy.
Modi and Starmer having tea at Chequers.
India did not receive an exemption from the UK’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which will come into effect in 2027. Talks on a separate bilateral investment treaty are still ongoing.