Robert Jenrick declares Nigel Farage resignation is a 'referendum on the future of Britain' - 'Bring it on!'

Robert Jenrick has declared Nigel Farage's resignation as Clacton MP is a "referendum on the future of the country".

Speaking to GB News following the Reform UK leader's announcement, the party's Treasury spokesman hit out at the "establishment", arguing they "cannot judge who runs the country".

Delivering a statement to the nation, Mr Farage declared: "I’ve thought about it hard and I’ve decided about it today, today I will resign as a Member of Parliament for Clacton-on-Sea, thereby forcing a by-election which would happen I hope in short order.

"I've decided that the people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions. This will be a people versus the establishment by-election.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

"It's a chance to stick two fingers up to the entire establishment to frankly tell them where to go, and that is why I will be putting my name forward to stand in this by-election. I will fight to win."

Reacting to the resignation, Mr Jenrick said Mr Farage "trusts the people of Clacton to put himself forward in the by-election to come".

He said: "You've just heard a statement from the only true leader in this country right now. The only man who's got the courage of his convictions, who will fix this country, who bring about the radical change that the public actually want to see.

"And look, the people in the building behind me, the political establishment, the two old parties or what remains of it, the media, they don't get to decide who runs this country. They don't get to play judge and jury and executioner. We live in a democracy."

Pressed on the challenge from Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain to possibly stand against Mr Farage in the by-election, Mr Jenrick issued a direct message.

He declared: "Bring it on. This country is broken, it needs fundamental change. Nigel is the only man who's capable of doing that.

"And if it takes a by-election, if it takes the people of Clacton in the great constituency of Clacton who I know respect Nigel as their Member of Parliament, then so be it. We trust their judgement and let's see what happens."

The Reform MP argued this by-election will be a "referendum on the future of the country".

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• WATCH IN FULL: Nigel Farage steps down as MP to trigger fresh Clacton by-election
• Nigel Farage declares he has 'never been angrier' after 'direct threat' to his daughter's security
• Nigel Farage resigns as Clacton MP to trigger 'people versus establishment by-election'

He told the People's Channel: "Parts of the media, they've been harassing his daughter on the doorstep of her home, someone who has nothing to do with public life at all. Well, enough is enough.

"Nigel is a fighter, he is going to now go and put his fate in the hands of the people of Clacton. And this is a referendum on the future of our country.

"Do we want continued decline, or do we want to turn this country around? I know where I stand. That's why I joined Reform, and I believe the people of Clacton want to see this country picked up and put on a path to success again."

Pressed by host Christopher Hope on what will change if Mr Farage wins the by-election, Mr Jenrick assured that the people of Clacton "want Nigel to lead this country after the next general election".

He said: "The people have decided, and we live in a democracy, we should cherish that. As I said, it is not for the uni party, the two old failed parties that got this country into the mess is today.

"It's not for people in wood panelled rooms in the Palace of Westminster, or executives at Sky news or the Sunday Times to determine who leads this country.

"It is for the people, and this by-election gives the opportunity for the people of Clacton who voted for Nigel at the general election two years ago and who he has served loyally for the last two years, to send a voice very loud and clear to Palace of Westminster and all the people who inhabit it, that they want change and they want Nigel to lead this country after the next general election.

"And I hope there'll be a Reform Government with him as our Prime Minister."

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter