The leader of the United Kingdom’s anti-immigration movement, Nigel Farage, announced on Tuesday that he is resigning as a member of parliament to trigger a snap by-election, saying he wants voters to deliver their verdict after weeks of scrutiny over his finances.
Farage said he would step down as the MP for Clacton, the southeast England constituency he has represented for the past two years.
“I’ve decided that the people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions,” Farage said in a televised statement.
“This will be a people versus the establishment by-election,” he added.
The surprise announcement sets the stage for a closely watched contest, with Farage seeking a renewed mandate from constituents as questions surrounding his financial affairs continue to dominate political debate.
AFP
