Farage’s resignation was overshadowed by his daughter’s crumbling house and Clacton’s property debate.
By Our Political Correspondent: Polly Ticks
Political Westminster was left reeling yesterday after Nigel Farage announced his surprise resignation as MP for Clacton, claiming photographers had crossed a line by allegedly invading his daughter’s privacy through relentless coverage of her home.
While constitutional experts immediately began debating the prospect of a by-election, estate agents, gardeners and house builders appeared to seize control of the national conversation after images of the dilapidated property circulated online.
Critics described the house as “a challenging renovation opportunity” and suggested “Perhaps ‘restore’ would be better than ‘reform‘?”
The less-than-impressive property, complete with a half-missing front door, has clearly seen better days. Large sections of brickwork appear to have crumbled away, several windows are broken or boarded up, roof tiles seem to be missing, drainpipes lean at improbable angles and the front garden resembles a forgotten corner of a builder’s yard.
Neighbours claimed they initially assumed the building had been selected as the filming location for a post-apocalyptic television drama before learning it had instead become the centre of a political storm.
Supporters of Farage argued that the condition of a family member’s home should have absolutely no bearing on politics, insisting private property remains private regardless of whether ivy has declared sovereignty over it.
Others disagreed.
“If someone can’t organise a lawn mower, can they organise the country?” asked one Clacton resident, while admitting the question probably made little constitutional sense.
Local bookmakers have already opened markets on whether voters will judge Farage on his political record or on the apparent state of housekeeping associated with his family.
Daughter’s front garden
Election analysts believe the outcome may ultimately hinge on one uniquely British question: not immigration, taxation or public services, but whether the electorate considers the nation’s tidiness standards to extend all the way to a politician’s daughter’s front garden.