Nigel Farage ducks cost of living questions sent to the by-election candidates
What has he got to hide?
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is not offering “hope” and “change,” as he is not being open and transparent about the real reasons for the rises in the cost of living.
34 candidates, yet why do they not get equal treatment?
Why election laws and regulations regarding media impartiality and voting systems need urgent change.
By Anthony Webber
Independent Political Commentator
07824444604
The Clacton on Sea by-election should have been about the cost of living but instead has been about frivolity.
Here is why and it is not the fault of the candidates.
By Anthony Webber, Independent Political Commentator
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was going to focus on the cost of living, so this by-election should have been about that.
There are new announcements regarding the cost of living this week by Andy Burnham, but there is an avoidance of the real reasons for the crisis.
Reasons the government could do something about it immediately if they wanted to change the main policies which cause the problems, but they don’t want to.
What the government is doing is superficial.
So far with this by-election, most of the media have avoided any important issues, and certainly no serious commentary on the cost of living.
Instead, they have focused on Nigel Farage and who they maintain is his leading contender.
This is appalling conduct by the mainstream media. This neglect of the numerous other candidates ( a record 34 in total) is appalling.
One blatant example of electoral bias and manipulation was an article in Saturday 8th August’s Daily Mail.
The impression given was that the election was between two of the candidates, and the others were not mentioned.
Many of the candidates believe that the paper has broken its own industry electoral codes of conduct.
The Sunday Times had a fairer article on 9th August, but it sill gave little information about all the candidates.
This might have slightly balanced things against than two horse perception, but it sill did not achieve fairness and impartiality.
All candidates should have equal treatment at elections.
Some have interesting policies to present to the voters ,but the local and national media has been little or no help.
There should also be no opinion polls during election periods. They tend to be worded in such a way as to favour certain candidates.
It should be up to the media to inform the local electorate about the key points in each candidate’s policies and to ask them important questions.
It does not help impartiality if any local or national media gives one candidate special promotion and ignores the others.
None of the local media or the local authority have organized a hustings meeting, which is a real let down of the democratic process.
In frustration, fourteen of the candidates organized and paid for a hustings meeting which took place last Thursday night, the 6th August.
It would obviously been better organised and attended, if it had been arranged by the media or local council.
All the candidates were invited, so none can complain they were left out.
Some candidates, being upset with the lack of public meetings, have organized their own street hustings.
To their credit, the BBC have done a good summary of the by-election candidates:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd69q4yg0ggo
It is a pity they have not organized a hustings meeting or engaged in this election more though.
One of the local papers has also done a summary of the candidates:
https://www.clactonandfrintongazette.co.uk/news/26291497.34-candidates-clacton-by-election/
The best summary of all the candidates’ details, their backgrounds and their policies has been done by one of the candidates, Martyn O’Brien:
https://clacton.org/34-candidates/
He has done an excellent job and is an example of how the media should conduct themselves during elections.
His professional effort only adds weight to what we have with this by- election is an electoral stitch up.
The mainstream media and authorities have manipulated the electoral process to avoid key issues being debated and to bring about the results they want.
An appalling attempt at frivolity to downgrade the value of democracy in our society.
One candidate, Abi Hookway, has said she is withdrawing from participating, giving abuse as a reason.
It it likely that other candidates are disillusioned too with the electoral process on this occasion.
If many of the candidates obtain low votes, it can be blamed partly on the lack of media coverage.
It is difficult enough for Independent/small party candidates at elections, without the media making it more so!
Some candidates have barely had a mention at all apart from the full candidates listing.
It is De-mockery-cy in action, as Martyn Davies of the Freedom Alliance party has said at the close of this campaign.
Change of electoral system needed to enhance democracy
At times like this, the need for a change from the first past the post elections system, to the Single Transferable Vote system, is really shown.
This system enables voters to vote for their preferred candidate in order of preference, so that the successful candidate is the one who ultimately has 50% of the votes.
With this election, the 34 candidates would be able to gauge their support more clearly and the electors would not feel they were wasting their vote if their first preference was not successful.
It helps to have a brief electoral history of the constituency, which is as follows:
Members of Parliament
Harwich prior to 2010
| Election | Member | Party | |
| 2010 | Douglas Carswell | Conservative | |
| 2014 by-election | UKIP | ||
| 2017 | Independent | ||
| 2017 | Giles Watling | Conservative | |
| 2024 | Nigel Farage | Reform UK | |
| 2026 by-election | |||
Elections
Clacton election results 2010–2024
Elections in the 2020s
See also: 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies § Notional 2019 general election results, and Clacton in the 2024 United Kingdom general election
| 2026 Clacton by-election[31][32] | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
| Independent | Joseph 77 | ||||
| Forward | Adham Alkhatip | ||||
| Binface | Count Binface | ||||
| Monster Raving Loony | Nick The Incredible Flying Brick | ||||
| Independent | Tony Cane | ||||
| Independent | Woke Trump Carrzee | ||||
| SDP | William Clouston | ||||
| Independent | Rees Cowne | ||||
| Independent | Glenn Cummings | ||||
| Freedom Alliance[b] | Martin Davies | ||||
| Independent | Andy Erlam | ||||
| Reform | Nigel Farage | ||||
| Independent | Attieh Fard | ||||
| Reclaim | Laurence Fox | ||||
| Independent | Tony Francis | ||||
| Independent | Robin Green | ||||
| Independent | Abi Hookway | ||||
| Monster Raving Loony | Howling Laud Hope | ||||
| Independent | Stephen Ingram | ||||
| Independent | Amy Morris | ||||
| Independent | Derrick Morris | ||||
| Independent | Martyn Obrien | ||||
| Independent | Michael O’Keeffe | ||||
| Independent | Nick Pelas | ||||
| UK Voice[c] | Ketankumar Pipaliya | ||||
| No description | Daniel Pocock | ||||
| Consensus[d] | James Ransley | ||||
| Independent | Gerry Smith | ||||
| British Democratic[e] | Kai Stephens | ||||
| Rejoin EU | John Stevens | ||||
| Monster Raving Loony | Baron Von Thunderclap | ||||
| Independent | Pamela Walford | ||||
| Everyone is God | Marcus White | ||||
| Independent | Marc Wilkinson | ||||
| General election 2024: Clacton[33] | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
| Reform | Nigel Farage | 21,225 | 46.2 | N/A | |
| Conservative | Giles Watling | 12,820 | 27.9 | −44.0 | |
| Labour | Jovan Owusu-Nepaul | 7,448 | 16.2 | +0.6 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Matthew Bensilum | 2,016 | 4.4 | −1.8 | |
| Green | Natasha Osben | 1,935 | 4.2 | +1.3 | |
| Independent | Tony Mack[f] | 317 | 0.7 | N/A | |
| UKIP | Andrew Pemberton | 116 | 0.3 | N/A | |
| Climate | Craig Jamieson | 48 | 0.1 | N/A | |
| Heritage | Tasos Papanastasiou | 33 | 0.1 | N/A | |
| Majority | 8,405 | 18.3 | |||
| Turnout | 45,958 | 58.0 | |||
| Reform gain from Conservative | Swing | +45.1 | |||
Clacton was the first seat won by the forerunner of Reform UK, UKIP, when Douglas Carswell won it in 2014.
He achieved 59.7% of the vote with 21,113 votes.
Nigel Farage won the seat in 2024 with 46.2% of the vote and 21,225 votes.
Nigel Farage stood down as an MP to have this by-election to confirm his constituency support, after having flack regarding financial donations.
The detail of all this and the pros and cons of his bringing about the by-election, are matters which will be the subject of discussion for some time to come.
The cost-of-living issue has been sidelined even though some candidates are wishing to have it debated.
Why is this?
The reason is that the two main causes of this are
1.)The government’s actions against Russia which have worked against the UK
2.) The government’s policy of involvement in the Iran/Israel/Iran conflict, which has also put energy prices up.
The government, supported by most in opposition, do not want a public debate about the real reasons for the rises in the cost of living.
That would be an inconvenient truth.
The candidates were sent a questionnaire on the subject and there have been some interesting responses.
Some candidates have not responded, which is a very poor show and indicates that if elected, they would not be fully accountable.
Of the responses, some fully understand that the government’s policies on Ukraine/Russia and Israel/USA/Iran have fueled the cost-of-living rises.
Others half see the full picture or don’t understand it at all. However, with credit to those who responded, they believe in these issues being debated.
It is noticeable that Nigel Farage avoided these questions, and this is arguably because he broadly goes along with the government’s approach on these issues.
Listed below are the questions and answers provide by those candidates ( ten out of 34) who showed they are accountable:
Cost of living- Key questions for Clacton By-Election Candidates:
Dear Candidate
This questionnaire is being sent to all Candidates, and all responses will be dealt with in a fair and impartial manner.
Any response is better than no response and all responses will be given to local and national media.
Please respond by at the latest.
The new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, believes the cost-of-living crisis must be addressed as a key priority.
1.)Do you agree with him and his proposals?
Yes/No…. comments…..
2.)Do you think that his commitment to continue to support Ukraine helps or hinders efforts to bring down the cost of living?
Helps/Hinders….. comments……
3.) Do you believe the UK effectively taking sides in the Israel/USA/Iran war helps or hinders efforts to bring down the cost of living?
Helps/Hinders…… comments….
4.) What measures do you believe the government should take to bring down the cost of living:
Direct financial support to the public such as the energy support schemes provided in the recent past?
Yes/No…. comments……..
Abolishing business and domestic Rates?
Yes/No…… comments………….
Raising Income Tax Allowances or other tax or national insurance cuts?
Yes/No…….. comments…………
Having a pause in legal and illegal immigration and use the billions saved to help UK citizens with the cost of living?
Yes/No…….. comments………
Do you have any ideas or points to make on this issue?
Yes/No………comments……..
Open and transparent government:
5.) The UK government’s support of Ukraine costs at least £5bn a year plus further billions in cost-of-living effects.
Do you believe there should be a national debate on whether this is in the UK’s national interests?
Yes/No…….comments……………………
Thank you for your attention to this important questionnaire,
Anthony Webber
Independent Political Commentator
07824444604
Responses Received:
1.)Martyn Davies- Freedom Alliance party candidate
Answers inline
—
Martin Davies
Party Leader
Freedom Alliance
Cost of living- Key questions for Clacton By-Election Candidates:
Dear Martin
This questionnaire is being sent to all Candidates, and all responses will be dealt with in a fair and impartial manner.
Any response is better than no response and all responses will be given to local and national media.
The new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, believes the cost-of-living crisis must be addressed as a key priority.
1.)Do you agree with him?
Yes/No…. comments…..
Yes – the simplest way is to raise the tax threshold to £15k
2.)Do you think that his commitment to continue to support Ukraine hinders bringing down the cost of living?
Yes/No….. comments……
Yes – stopping the military aid to Ukraine would enable 1 above
3.) Do you believe the UK effectively taking sides in the Israel/USA/Iran war hinders efforts to bring down the cost of living?
Yes/No…… comments……
Yes – the ongoing war perpetuates cost increases. Preventing that continuous war can only be a good thing for UK public, and others around the world
4.) What measures do you believe the government should take to bring down the cost of living:
Direct financial support to the public such as the energy support schemes provided in the recent past?
Yes/No…. comments……..
no – this has proven to be a crutch that people cannot live without. So much better to give them more money in their pocket through ;lower taxes and let them budget accordingly
Abolishing business and domestic Rates?
Yes/No…… comments………….
Yes – it is an alternative to raising the tax threshold
Raising Income Tax Allowances or other tax or national insurance cuts?
Yes/No…….. comments…………
Yes – our policy
Having a pause in legal and illegal immigration and use the billions saved to help UK citizens with the cost of living?
Yes/No…….. comments………
Yes, but not for the skilled workers we need to cover the shortfalls here
Do you have any ideas or points to make on this issue?
Yes/No………comments……..
Made them all in the above
Open and transparent government:
5.) Do you believe there should be a national debate on whether the UK government’s policy is in the UK’s national interests in respect of:
a.)Israel/USA’s conflict with Iran?
Yes/No….. comments…….
Yes -we want transparency in all government, but especially where our tax £s are spent
b.) Ukraine’s conflict with Russia?
Yes/No….. comments………
Yes – to provide an open-ended commitment to a country branded as the most corrupt in the world some 12 years ago was wrong when it was done and is still wrong. If Russia wanted the whole of Ukraine there would have been a full scale assault. It doesn’t. It wants a negotiation given NATO has reneged on its previous deal.
2.)Derrick Morris- Independent Candidate
Cost of living- Key questions for Clacton By-Election Candidates:
Dear Derek
This questionnaire is being sent to all Candidates, and all responses will be dealt with in a fair and impartial manner.
Any response is better than no response and all responses will be given to local and national media.
Please respond by 8 August 2026 at the latest. Any problems, let me know.
The new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, believes the cost-of-living crisis must be addressed as a key priority.
- Do you agree with him?
-
- YES!
- This cost-of-living crisis is generated by local and international events. The last budget did raise taxes on National Insurance, Inheritance and other targets. Then there is the appetite for higher wages; rents are being raised too. These make groceries and other supply-side resources more expensive.
- Then the two wars are added up on our uses of energy. I would like to stop the Ukraine & Iran Wars. Zelensky is playing Europe to provide him with weapons that he uses to smash Russian Oil. He even shut off oil from passing through Ukraine.
iii. America and Israel’s attack on Iran was hapless and its consequences were foreseeable. Shutting down the Hormuz Strait was foreseeable but fictitious thinking ushered in the energy crisis. It appears that America choreographed these crises to facilitate American Energy dominance
- Do you think that his commitment to continue to support Ukraine hinders bringing down the cost of living
-
- YES!
- Ukraine is enjoying this war. He scores significant hits but makes a big poor me strategy to solicit more money from Europe. He and his cronies are becoming richer as the war continues. He is a Billionaire already. He risks dragging Europe into direct conflict with Russia.
- Do you believe the UK effectively taking sides in the Israel/USA/Iran war hinders efforts to bring down the cost of living?
-
- YES!
- We need a new UN. I propose an Alliance with Russia & China. This will stop the Greenland Grab and other matters. UK and EU have the limiting disease that afflicts elephants. Ties its foot for a bit, limiting its mobility; even when it is not shackled, it still stays there.
- The US was solely responsible for the demise of the British Empire’s collapse and we are busy propping up the American Empire that is obviously in decline and ultimately collapsing. We are sheepishly spending money to bolster our military. The whole strategy of America is to threaten withdrawal, instigate the Russian Madness Propaganda to sell their second-rated weapons. Israel gets weapons a little lower than America’s. And they are subject to wilful sabotage when America decides to attack Greenland or we decide to confront them; they will put these weapons offline, as with Israel fighting any Arab State using the same weapons.
iii. We ought to stand for justice and peace.
- What measures do you believe the government should take to bring down the cost of living: Direct financial support to the public such as the energy support schemes provided in the recent past?
-
- NO!
- This scheme will be financed by more borrowing and raising taxes, which are not going to solve these problems. Energy support can be most effective by ending the Ukraine & Iran Wars.
-
- Abolishing business and domestic Rates?
- NO!
-
-
-
- Abolishing the rates is a bad idea. We can reduce them. The only way I can support reducing them is if those savings would be spent in the economy and use the Multiplier Effect to generate more Revenue for the government. This would be ideal.
-
- Raising Income Tax Allowances or other tax or national insurance cuts?
-
- YES!
-
-
-
- All of these are good if those saving will be spent in the formal economy to generate more revenue for the government. For example, if the government cut taxes up to I billion. Then that billion would be spent to the tune of 16 billion and the tax revenue generated will be more than the billion perhaps 3 billion; then that is what I am talking about.
-
- Having a pause in legal and illegal immigration and using the billions saved to help UK citizens with the cost of living?
-
- YES
-
-
-
- Also, give all of them work permits and provide jobs to pay for their food, rent and general upkeep. This will condition them that coming here is not to be on welfare. This must stop; it is assistance nor a benefit for a few times.
-
- Do you have any ideas or points to make on this issue?
-
- YES!
- Three years ago, I came from California and claimed Political Asylum. While staying in the Hotel in Clacton, I asked Home Office for work authorization to work and they denied me. I was venturing some advice for them and they told me that I am not authorised to dispense professional opinions. I was also told that I should be happy with the benefits rather than going to work. In the USA, there is no support until about 4 years of living with status to qualify for some assistance. Home Office sends train tickets for asylum seekers to attend hearings. I had to fly from Florida to California to attend my hearing, with my own money. To no-show is grounds for deportation.
-
- Open and transparent government:
- The government cannot open their books for all to see; there is always secrecy and firewalls in government. Other nations spy on each other and this would open up state secrets to be gleaned.
- Do you believe there should be a national debate on whether the UK government’s policy is in the UK’s national interests in respect of:
-
- Israel/USA’s conflict with Iran?
- YES!
-
-
-
- Informed debate is refreshing. Even the government does not understand the complex and varied issues at stake herein. They are not aware that Israel and the USA have a secret agenda. Israel wants to extend its borders further and wider. USA want to burn up the Oil from the Middle East to allow them Energy dominance.
-
- Ukraine’s conflict with Russia?
-
- YES
-
-
-
- This war was supposed to be President Obama’s. I steered him away from it because I do not believe Russia can reconquest the former Soviet States. It is American propaganda to keep Russia from uniting with Europe. They deliberately encourage NATO & EU to encroach on Russia’s border. Plus, the former Soviet States want revenge on Russia. America is worried that Iran, North Korea Missiles can reach the USA. The missile crisis with the USSR and Cuba is a glaring example but with Russia, they should accept on their border what America disdain from 95 miles, with Cuba to thousands of miles with others.
-
-
3.)Martyn O’Brien- Independent Candidate
Cost of living- Key questions for Clacton By-Election Candidates:
The new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, believes the cost-of-living crisis must be addressed as a key priority.
1.)Do you agree with him?
I think it depends on what he thinks the cost of living crisis is being caused by and what he plans to do to improve it. Also who is going to benefit from the changes that he brings in? Will it be those on the lowest income, the elderly, disabled or another select group. Perhaps he will do it to try to help everybody… The other question I ask myself, is that does he have a mandate to make such changes, even if I agree with him, and how will they be funded. So the short answer is yes we should look at reducing the impact from the cost of living crisis but wr answer is we need more information to make an informed answer.
2.)Do you think that his commitment to continue to support Ukraine hinders bringing down the cost of living?
I think we must support Ukraine and that failure to do so could well lead to a much more dangerous situation later on, and one that will cost us far more financially and potentially in lives. I think that Ukraine is paying a far higher price in lives lost and living in fear across the country.
We also have a commitment based on previous agreements to protect them should Russia invade, this being based on the fact that they gave up nuclear weapons and this was agreed to in the Budapest memorandum in 1994
If we fell to under the agreement, then how can any future agreements that we make with any other nation be trusted or valid?
3.) Do you believe the UK effectively taking sides in the Israel/USA/Iran war hinders efforts to bring down the cost of living?
The USA should never have attacked Iran without discussing it with its NATO partners. This is definitely impacting the cost of living due to the inaccessibility of the strait of Hormuz. The UK will be dragged into this war and so yes of course it’s going to affect the cost of living. But what is the alternative? If we don’t help to open the straight, then the cost of living issues due to oil pricing will continue for a very long time and this impacts us all.
4.) What measures do you believe the government should take to bring down the cost of living:
Direct financial support to the public such as the energy support schemes provided in the recent past?
We should tax the energy and oil producers and sellers massively. They are making billions while we are all struggling to make ends meet. They have benefiting from the closure of the straight and as prices increase they make even more money. The UK is a nation that has oil, but we don’t refine it ourselves and we don’t use it ourselves, instead we sell it on the open market and then effectively buy it back. This is ridiculous and we should be refining that oil that belongs to us and using it ourselves, which would then bring down the cost of oil and increase reliable supply.
Abolishing business and domestic Rates?
When you say domestic rates do you mean council tax?
Business rates have long been an issue for me, it’s one of the most unfair taxes and causes businesses to struggle and fail.
Unlike other taxes, business rates are charged before you make a single sale. Charged whether you open the shop or not… I think they changed the rules sometime ago, so that landlords pay these if the shop is empty. But if the market to rent a shop is low, and the landlord reduces the rent to entice a tenant, then surely the business rates should be reduced in line with the new rent. It is illogical that the business rates can actually end up being more than the rent instead of a percentage of it.
It is charged regardless of whether the business has any profit in it and the level of rates is based some historical figure there’s hard
I think the business rates are also charged unfairly as large international companies with warehouses selling to millions of people can pay less than a small business person with a small shop.
I think that business rates should be linked to the current rent instead of a perceived rental value in the past.
Business rate discounts are available for some small companies, but the levels of discounts and awareness is quite low.
Rent charged by landlords will fluctuate based on market demands and therefore in a down period becomes affordable. However business rates remain set at the high level based on historical valuations and can in some cases be more than the actual rent being charged.
We cannot abolish business rates but we should make them more equitable and fair.
Raising Income Tax Allowances or other tax or national insurance cuts?
I thought labor said that they wouldn’t raise any taxes… But then all parties make this promise and then break it. Either by increasing the main taxes or finding a new tax to implement. Why do successive governments focus more on individuals paying tax in so many ways, and fail to tax the international corporations properly. I would like to see large companies pay more tax and individuals pay less.
Having a pause in legal and illegal immigration and use the billions saved to help UK citizens with the cost of living?
We are and also have been a country based on immigration and diversity. However, The level of immigration is unsustainable and it is clearly something that the population wants stopped. Somewhere government level, I suspect there’s a mandate to encourage more immigration as they literally entice people to arrive by a boat uninvited. If you’re in France and don’t claim asylum there, then you’ve chosen to leave a safe country and asylum should not be given. But what would you do if you was living in France, in squalid conditions, maybe a tent in some migrant camp and you look across the water and see your friends living in hotels and being given financial support, then you see the RNLI meeting you halfway picking you up and bringing you to the UK. Then you see that most people beat the system and stay in the UK, and even if rejected the chance of being deported remain relatively low. If I were one of those people, I would come to the UK as well. So what should happen is that France protects the board properly for the money that we pay them and their failure to do so should result in us claiming compensation from the money we pay them, significantly high enough to make France want to do the job that they’ve signed up to. We should also be allowed to return people immediately to France when we pick them up and they should have been negotiated when we agreed to pay them the hundreds of millions to protect the border. I am not anti-immigration at all but I look around and I see them working illegally, big companies turning a blind eye because it’s cheap labour and the government did not find these businesses anywhere near enough to prevent them continuing to employ people on the black market. So-called legal migration must be investigated as there are far too many people taking advantage of the system and frankly I think they’re laughing at us. People working in so-called skilled jobs which end up being in a shop being a retail assistant or in a factory… These are not skilled jobs and these jobs should be provided to our young adults who are finding it hard to get started in life because it is cheaper and easier to employ somebody here illegally or under pretences than to invest in our youth. I I’ve heard about shops that have no trade and yet declare profit and pay wages somehow, including business rates, but they make money by charging the staff for sponsoring them. So they have no customers, they make their money, but a staff member is there meeting the strict rules of immigration.
Ultimately immigration needs to be reduced to a maximum of say 1% of our population per year. We are an island nation and cannot take in millions of people endlessly. This cap should Very based on the availability of housing, healthcare services, and similar issues.
Open and transparent government:
5.) Do you believe there should be a national debate on whether the UK government’s policy is in the UK’s national interests in respect of:
a.)Israel/USA’s conflict with Iran?
This will never happen, the influence of Israel and the US will ensure that it never happens.
b.) Ukraine’s conflict with Russia?
It is not a conflict It is a war and a legal invasion of a peaceful nation. Referring it as a conflict makes a mockery of the sacrifices of the Ukrainian soldiers and civilians that are being attacked and murdered every day. We don’t need a national debate on this topic, because we signed up to protect them as I’ve mentioned above. NATO and Europe should have been far stronger in sanctions and getting involved to defend Ukraine at the very beginning, for what I’ve really happened our sanctions have been brought online in drips and The oligarchs have had time to move their money before the sanctions come into place. They’re also European companies that are still sell to and buy from Russia. So they are funding the war and invasion of Ukraine but the governments are allowing it.
garding the question about business rates. Business rates need to be reformed with a view to them being part of a wider basket of taxation. Business rates are a form of local taxation which can be a large part of the tax burden for the smallest of businesses. In Clacton the balance between a business failing or just being able to keep a head above water can come down to whether or not business rates are applied. When I talk to local small business owners, business rates often become a topic of conversation. I have been to several businesses where the total takings for the day might be just £20. The exact area of the business being used is an issue. I went to a car wash where there is a small car park at the front, but the area of the car park could not be used by the business because of the way that the cars being cleaned flow through the area. I do think that rateable value needs to be set according to the nature of the business.
4.)Michael O’Keeffe- Independent
On Sun, 9 Aug 2026, 12:56 Michael O’Keeffe, <mnpokeeffe@gmail.com> wrote:
The new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, believes the cost-of-living crisis must be addressed as a key priority.
1.)Do you agree with him?
The cost of living is an important priority for every working household. The value of household income has declined over the past ten years, as the cost of energy, food and housing have increased above the level of general inflation. The increase in energy costs is the most egregious issue. Recent energy cost increases have transferred the wages of working people directly to the share portfolios of the wealthy. I find it difficult to understand why the current government has not broken the link between the cost of electricity and gas prices, brought in by the previous government. Linking the cost of electricity to the most expensive method of production means that the working people of the UK have seen no financial benefit from the reduction of pricing which renewable energy offers.
2.)Do you think that his commitment to continue to support Ukraine hinders bringing down the cost of living?
The war in Ukraine is paid for under the UKs defence budget. Planned further increases to the defence budget are a result of pressure from the USA.
3.) Do you believe the UK effectively taking sides in the Israel/USA/Iran war hinders efforts to bring down the cost of living?
The UK is not taking an active part in the war. It is allowing the USA to continue to use bases which have been jointly used by both countries.
4.) What measures do you believe the government should take to bring down the cost of living:
Direct financial support to the public such as the energy support schemes provided in the recent past?
The link between electricity prices and the most expensive method of production (ie gas fired power stations) should be broken immediately. It is the reason why we pay the highest energy costs in Europe and British businesses are crippled on the world stage.
Abolishing business and domestic Rates?
Local councils rate businesses and have the discretion to rate properties at zero percent, as they do for many in Clacton.
Raising Income Tax Allowances or other tax or national insurance cuts?
The tax system unfairly targets lower wage earners because they spend more of their income, so get taxed on their income and then again with VAT. Wealthy earners can avoid paying tax on large proportions of their wealth. The government should listen to the group of 120 millionaires who, two weeks ago, proposed a wealth tax.
Having a pause in legal and illegal immigration and use the billions saved to help UK citizens with the cost of living?
The issues regarding immigration are a direct result of conservative policies from Brexit. The irony that the self-proclaimed architect of Brexit, is now standing in a by-election under a stop the boats slogan is not lost on anyone with a basic understanding of the unintended consequences of simplistic slogan policies. The fact that he is picking on 150,000 asylum seekers now rather than spending the past two years, as the Clacton MP, lobbying parliament to stop 2.9 million legal immigrants being invited into the country as cheap labour, with no plans for how to house them or what pressure they would put on the countries’ services, is no surprise at all.
All migration into the country should be controlled and properly costed for the estimated lifetime of each individual entry.
Do you have any ideas or points to make on this issue?
Yes/No………comments……..
Open and transparent government:
5.) Do you believe there should be a national debate on whether the UK government’s policy is in the UK’s national interests in respect of:
a.)Israel/USA’s conflict with Iran?
Yes/No….. comments…….
b.) Ukraine’s conflict with Russia?
Yes/No….. comments……
There are continual debates on these issues, but the media rarely present all option as one news item.
5.)Nick Pelas, Independent
Hi see answers in red
Best
Nick
Cost of living- Key questions for Clacton By-Election Candidates:
The new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, believes the cost-of-living crisis must be addressed as a key priority.
1.)Do you agree with him?
Yes
2.)Do you think that his commitment to continue to support Ukraine hinders bringing down the cost of living?
Yes
3.) Do you believe the UK effectively taking sides in the Israel/USA/Iran war hinders efforts to bring down the cost of living?
Yes
4.) What measures do you believe the government should take to bring down the cost of living:
Direct financial support to the public such as the energy support schemes provided in the recent past?
Yes
Abolishing business and domestic Rates?
Yes
Raising Income Tax Allowances or other tax or national insurance cuts?
Yes
Having a pause in legal and illegal immigration and use the billions saved to help UK citizens with the cost of living?
Yes There should be no illegal immigration only legal
Do you have any ideas or points to make on this issue?
Not at this point as it is not an issue for Clacton
Open and transparent government:
5.) Do you believe there should be a national debate on whether the UK government’s policy is in the UK’s national interests in respect of:
a.)Israel/USA’s conflict with Iran?
Yes
b.) Ukraine’s conflict with Russia?
Yes
We the people who will do the fighting should have a say
6.) Daniel Pocock
—–Original Message—–
From: Daniel Pocock
Sent: 26 July 2026 09:32
Subject: Re: Cost of living Crisis questions and solutions for Clacton By-Election Candidates
I’ve posted the Centrica / Bord Gais / British Gas £43,057.34 electricity
account which was conjured up by “estimated” usage algorithms. All the
customer service discussions are in the previous blog about the same billing
failures.
I’m very keen to know if other people have any remotely similar problems.
I will continue publishing more stuff on the cost of living theme, as noted
in my earlier response.
While waiting for the next big announcement on the topic, please ask people
to fact check what I published and look for similar cases, anywhere in the
UK.
On 24/07/2026 11:14, anthonywebber@cwgsy.net wrote:
> Daniel
> Thank you for your response.
> I can tell you that other candidates are answering the questions.
> However, it is up to you how you respond and your comments have been
> noted.
> If I become aware of any events on these subjects, I will let you know.
> All best wishes
> Anthony
>
Hi Anthony
>
> Have you read the reports on my web site?
> I will address this in more detail there with upcoming announcements.
> I prefer to put the announcements on my website so everybody can see the
> same information rather than sending separate details to each constituent.
>Are you aware of any events within the constituency or Essex county where
> people can discuss these topics in person?
>
> Thank you for taking the time to contact me.
>Regards,
>
> Daniel
7.)Baron von Thunderclap ( Peter Berry) Monster Raving Looney Party
From: Pete Berry <
Sent: 24 July 2026 09:07
Please note that these answers are my own views and do not necasarily reflect those of the OMRLP who are not expected to hold views on such “heavy’ issues.
1) yes, but this would be helped by getting the economy healthy ( anyone who pronounces Economy as ‘echonomy’ should not hold a position conected to finance).
Other important government jobs include defending the country which brings us to —
2) Irespective of its (slight compared to other things) affect on our c.o.l. Ukraine desrves our support against one of the 2 dangerous egomaniac aggressors (Putin in this case). If he beat Ukraine where would he attack next?
3) I would not aggree that we’re ‘actively’ involved in trumps war (egomaniac no.2).
These middle eastern countries are still fighting ‘tribal’ wars and always will do. Just because their way of life and religous ideals are different to ours dosen’t necassarilly make them wrong. I think one of Srarmers few good actions was to tell the crooked idiot trump that we would not get involved in a war that noone could win. However as an anti-terrorist it was right to protect ourselves by allowing the use of our bases.
4) Income tax should be abolished. It disscourages people from working hard. It should be replaced with a tax on goods. Basic essentials should be tax free, as should real ale. Tobaco and lagers should be highly taxed and more luxurious goods taxed heavier.
N.I. is necasary to fund the nhs and pensions but the higher employers rates are ruining small businesses.
There is far too much government interference in business and commerse which has closed businesses (including one of my own). High taxes are stopping investment and causing entrepenours to leave the country making things worse.
I hate being called a ‘uk citizen’ which smacks of an Orwellian big brother scenario.
I am an English subject of the monarch.
I am very much anti- racist and believe that in an ideal world everyone should be free to travel/live/work anywhere in the world (with the possible exception of the french and americans but thats just my personal prejudices).
Unfortunately this is not possible so we need to protect our borders from illegal migration. To this end the party policy is to replace all border officials with doctors receptionists – theres no way to get past them.
5) Once a government is in power they should be left to do the job of governing without constantly being subjected to referendums about every topic. If senssible they should be able to guage the public opinion on important matters such as Ukraine and that idiot trumps war obsesion.
However since noone voted to have andy burnham leading the country there should be a general election (as there should have been whenever a party in power has changed leader).
Fixed term elections are a bad idea and we should go back to a fixed maximum time only.
Baron Von Thunderclap.
8.)Pamela Walford – Independent
Cost of living- Key questions for Clacton By-Election Candidates:
Dear Pamela Walford
This questionnaire is being sent to all Candidates, and all responses will be dealt with in a fair and impartial manner.
The new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, believes the cost-of-living crisis must be addressed as a key priority.
1.)Do you agree with him?
Yes/No…. comments…..
Yes. However I believe it the governments policies that are aggravating the situation.
2.)Do you think that his commitment to continue to support Ukraine hinders bringing down the cost of living?
Yes/No….. comments……
I am fighting this by-election on local issues. It is not for me to comment on the governments international policies but I will always support democracy and oppose tyranny
3.) Do you believe the UK effectively taking sides in the Israel/USA/Iran war hinders efforts to bring down the cost of living?
Yes/No…… comments……
Again this is a question for the government of the day. But I believe we should always support our allies as we would expect them to support us.
4.) What measures do you believe the government should take to bring down the cost of living:
Direct financial support to the public such as the energy support schemes provided in the recent past?
Yes/No…. comments……..
That helped but is not the answer in the long term. We need to reverse the policies that are making the country poorer and support hard working people who build employment, create jobs and put more money into peoples pockets.
Abolishing business and domestic Rates?
Yes/No…… comments………….
Yes, that would help but it is not the answer. Domestic rates are what support local government and having been a councillor in two councils now I know how difficult it is to make the budget stretch to cover what is needed to be paid for.
Raising Income Tax Allowances or other tax or national insurance cuts?
Yes/No…….. comments…………
Yes. If the basic tax allowance had increased in line with inflation as it used to do people would have much more money into their pockets to cover the increase in the cost of living. By keeping it where it is it is causing poverty among those who are at the bottom of the earnings table.
Having a pause in legal and illegal immigration and use the billions saved to help UK citizens with the cost of living?
Yes/No…….. comments………
One does not result in the other. How could stopping immigration save money?
Do you have any ideas or points to make on this issue?
Yes/No………comments……..
Immigration has become the flag flying slogan for those who want to grab a headline or two. Having recently been in hospital I can see how immigration has helped fill the jobs in the NHS, without it there would be no doctors or nurses I am sorry to say.
Open and transparent government:
5.) Do you believe there should be a national debate on whether the UK government’s policy is in the UK’s national interests in respect of:
a.)Israel/USA’s conflict with Iran?
Yes/No….. comments…….
b.) Ukraine’s conflict with Russia?
Yes/No….. comments………
Yes. Government’s first priority should be to look after its own people and country. In a democratic society matters of national importance, such as getting involved in someone else’s war, should be debated openly.
9.)Marcus White -Everyone is God party
From: Marcus White
Sent: 24 July 2026 13:31
Dear Anthony,
Thank you for your email and questions.
I have left you a message on your mobile exploring if you would like an interview with me.
In way of introduction, we take an utterly different approach to politics, one which seeks to go much deeper and get to the root of problems so they can be solved permanently forever. This is very much exemplified in our policies which I have provided links for below. May I invite you to read these in full as they will give you detailed answers to your questions, and explain the root cause solutions we present.
The new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, believes the cost-of-living crisis must be addressed as a key priority.
1.)Do you agree with him?
Yes but addressed with knowledge rather than trying to subsidise people. The phrase “cost of living crisis” suggests an external situation that individuals are powerless to do anything about, a belief reinforced by the government with the false promise that it can intervene and solve this problem. This is profoundly misguiding and disempowering for the people of Britain, the government cannot significantly alter the cost of living of 68 million people, it is economically and fiscally impossible, and we are the only party that speaks this truth. Our solution is radically different, see: Solve the cost of living with Knowledge | Everyone is God
2.)Do you think that his commitment to continue to support Ukraine hinders bringing down the cost of living?
Yes in the sense that there is less tax revenue to spend on the people of Britain.
3.) Do you believe the UK effectively taking sides in the Israel/USA/Iran war hinders efforts to bring down the cost of living?
Yes
4.) What measures do you believe the government should take to bring down the cost of living:
Direct financial support to the public such as the energy support schemes provided in the recent past?
No, this will never solve the underlying problem, indeed it misguides people away from their responsibility to manage their money.
Abolishing business and domestic Rates?
No, this will never solve the underlying problem, indeed it misguides people away from their responsibility to manage their money.
Raising Income Tax Allowances or other tax or national insurance cuts?
No, this will never solve the underlying problem, indeed it misguides people away from their responsibility to manage their money.
Having a pause in legal and illegal immigration and use the billions saved to help UK citizens with the cost of living?
If we stop the boats this will save about £5 billion per year which can be spent on helping the British people. Please see our policy. Stop the Boats & Immigration Policy | Everyone is God
Do you have any ideas or points to make on this issue?
Yes, we need to finally end the fiscal debate, and the whole idea of trying to pull tax from one area and use it to prop up another area. It creates endless debate, disatisfaction, and disempowers everyone from real solutions. Please see out policy. Taxation and Spending (fiscal) Policy, replace tax with cost to solve the entire fiscal debate | Everyone is God
Open and transparent government:
5.) Do you believe there should be a national debate on whether the UK government’s policy is in the UK’s national interests in respect of:
a.)Israel/USA’s conflict with Iran?
Yes and I believe this is already happening regularly in parliament.
b.) Ukraine’s conflict with Russia?
Yes and I believe this is already happening regularly in parliament.
I trust this helps.
Many thanks
Marcus White. M.A. (Oxon)
Political leader of Everyone is God, Britain’s visionary Political Party.
Everyone is God | Political party POLICIES | Everyone is God – Political Party
Life and business coach.
Every 1 is God | Holistic life coaching
Managing Director, Marcus White Ltd. Co No 4406206 England Mobile: 07779 448 673
Address: 2 Blackhill Farm Cottage, Old Sherborne Rd, Cerne Abbas, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7SJ.
We are a radical political party that seeks to completely reconstruct society
from the ground up. Our policies address the root causes of the issues that
we face in Britain, in order to solve them permanently. In many cases these
policies break new ground in politics. May we invite you to read our policies
on our website, we warmly welcome everyone’s views and questions.
10.) Wilkinson-Independent
Hi Anthony
Sorry about the delay getting this over to you
The new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, believes the cost-of-living crisis must be addressed as a key priority.
1.)Do you agree with him?
Yes…. comments: This is the most important issue affecting almost everyone that needs to be addressed.
2.)Do you think that his commitment to continue to support Ukraine hinders bringing down the cost of living?
Yes….. comments: It would have been in the interests of everyone for a cease fire to have been agreed within months of the start of the conflict. This has been hindered by politicians and corporate interests.
3.) Do you believe the UK effectively taking sides in the Israel/USA/Iran war hinders efforts to bring down the cost of living?
Yes…… comments: People never want war. It only serves to benefit corporate interests.
4.) What measures do you believe the government should take to bring down the cost of living:
Increase the VAT threshold to £500K to stimulate small businesses to grow and give them a competitive advantage relative to larger businesses.
Direct financial support to the public such as the energy support schemes provided in the recent past?
Yes…. comments: It is more important to slow the race towards net zero by increasing drilling in the North Sea until we no longer need to import gas and electricity.
Abolishing business and domestic Rates?
Yes…… comments: but for smaller businesses with a turnover of less than £2 million to give small businesses a competitive advantatge over larger businesses.
Raising Income Tax Allowances or other tax or national insurance cuts?
Yes…….. comments: The tax threshold should be raised to £20K this alone will boost the economy.
Having a pause in legal and illegal immigration and use the billions saved to help UK citizens with the cost of living?
Yes for illegal migration…….. comment: Literally, almost everyone agrees with stopping illegal migration.
Do you have any ideas or points to make on this issue?
Yes………comments: The overriding policy of ESSEX PEOPLE is the will of the people. Once elected elected representatives will be bound to vote as instucted by members of the party from within the constituency.
Open and transparent government:
5.) Do you believe there should be a national debate on whether the UK government’s policy is in the UK’s national interests in respect of:
a.)Israel/USA’s conflict with Iran?
Yes….. comment: The public should have a greater say.
b.) Ukraine’s conflict with Russia?
Yes….. comments: The public should have a greater say.
Thanks Marc
Conclusion:
It can be seen that there are many interesting points of view.
This does not include a lot of other correspondence with these candidates on other electoral issues.
It is clear from this feedback that there are costs and other concerns about the rises in the costs of living, which have been brought ab out by this government and the previous one.
There has to be a serious debate about the economic and other consequences of the cost of living in the UK, otherwise the government will continue to lie to the British public and abuse their position of power, to the detriment of UK citizens.
Anthony Webber
Independent Political Commentator
Lead Correspondent | David Clews is the Lead Correspondent for UNN, with over 20 years of political/campaigning experience and a wealth of social media and communication skills David gets to the heart of what is really important to the real people of the UK.
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