Bad actors or conspiracy theories? The inside story of Farage’s battle for Clacton

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Giles Watling is defending his Clacton seat for the Tories “Alastair wanted to know how he can help me stop Farage,” Mr Watling explained to The Independent. But here I am.” open image in gallery Farage’s Clacton headquarters is in a former Chinese restaurant The row surrounding the appearance of another actor – Andrew Parker, the alleged Reform canvasser – has galvanised what seems to be a battle for the very heart of right-of-centre politics in Britain which is being played out most of all in Clacton. It’s like what happened in the 1930s.” A few minutes walk from Watling’s campaign office opposite Clacton Town Hall is the former Chinese restaurant on Pier Avenue, near the seafront, being used as the campaign headquarters where The Independent met Peter Harris, Farage’s election agent. Other parties make mistakes and have bad apples, but ours will be blown up much more than the others because Nigel is our candidate.” open image in gallery Farage on the amusement arcade in Clacton Other campaigners were pointing out that Giles Watling, the Tory MP defending the seat, was also an actor and wondering if he had something to do with the conspiracy, with no evidence to back that up.