John Stevens, a former MEP, has entered the Clacton by-election as the candidate for the Rejoin the EU Party, vowing to put the question of reversing Brexit back on the political agenda. He is facing Nigel Farage, the veteran Eurosceptic campaigner and leader of Reform UK, in what is shaping up to be a high-profile test of public sentiment on Britain's departure from the European Union.
Stevens, who served as a Liberal Democrat MEP for the South East of England, warned that voters in the Essex constituency are resistant to being portrayed as a joke. He was reacting to the candidacy of Count Binface, a novelty candidate who has stood in several elections, and suggested that some in Westminster view Clacton as an opportunity for satire rather than serious debate. «It’s no joke! Clacton voters can put reversing Brexit back on the table,» Stevens told reporters. He insisted that the by-election should be treated as a genuine political contest about the future direction of the country, not as entertainment.
The Clacton constituency voted overwhelmingly to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum, with 70 per cent opting for Brexit. Farage, a leading figure in the Leave campaign, has made the seat a priority for Reform UK. His presence has given the by-election national significance, as both pro- and anti-Brexit forces see it as a bellwether for the next general election. Stevens argued that many former Leave voters are now disillusioned with the outcome of Brexit and are open to rejoining the EU, citing economic difficulties and trade barriers since the withdrawal.
Stevens has a long history in European politics. He was elected as a Conservative MEP in 1999 but later defected to the Liberal Democrats, citing his frustration with the party's Eurosceptic drift. He served until 2014 and has since been vocal in his support for Britain's reintegration into the EU. The Rejoin the EU Party, which he now leads, was founded in 2019 and has contested a handful of seats, though without winning any. Stevens sees the Clacton by-election as a breakthrough opportunity to put the issue on the national stage.
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of the previous Conservative MP, Giles Watling, who held the seat with a majority of over 20,000 in 2019. Since then, the political landscape has shifted. The Conservative Party under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has struggled to deliver the promised benefits of Brexit, while Reform UK has emerged as a potent challenger on the right. The Clacton contest is being watched closely by all major parties, as it will provide an early indicator of voter sentiment ahead of a general election expected in 2024 or early 2025.
Stevens acknowledged that defeating Farage is a steep challenge. Farage has a strong personal following in Clacton, where he campaigned heavily during the 2016 referendum and later during the 2019 general election. However, Stevens argued that the political mood is changing. «People in Clacton want a serious conversation about their future, not a circus. They have seen the promises of Brexit broken, and they are ready to consider a different path,» he said. He pointed to recent polling suggesting that support for rejoining the EU has risen among Leave voters as economic realities set in.
The by-election is expected to take place in the coming months, with the exact date yet to be announced. Other candidates are likely to include the Conservative, Labour, and Liberal Democrat standard-bearers, though the contest is expected to be dominated by the Farage-Stevens rivalry. Stevens said his campaign will focus on the economic benefits of EU membership, including free trade, labour mobility, and access to the single market. He also plans to highlight the £6 billion annual cost of post-Brexit customs checks to British businesses.
Political analysts note that the Rejoin the EU Party has limited resources and organisational structure compared to the established parties. Stevens is banking on media attention and the high-profile nature of the contest to amplify his message. «If we can show that Clacton, the most pro-Brexit constituency in the country, is willing to reconsider, that sends a powerful signal to the whole country,» he said.
