Clacton-on-Sea locals communicate out after Nigel Farage pockets £270,000 in gold scheme

Nigel Farage was paid £270,000 for promoting a company that sells gold bars and coins – and people in Clacton-on-Sea are split on their local MP’s role

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Opinions are split even in Nigel Farage‘s own constituency after it emerged he was paid £270,000 for just 12 hours’ work as brand ambassador for a gold bullion firm while working as an MP.

The Reform UK leader declared the whopping payment from Direct Bullion in his latest register of financial interests – his largest single payment yet for work since becoming an MP.

It was handed to Mr Farage for an estimate of up to four hours work per month “over the course of a three-month period”.

Direct Bullion sells gold bars and coins through the post, encouraging customers on its website to “seize back control of your wealth” by buying their products. It also offers a guide promising to explain “secrets of why your wealth is disappearing”.

Posters featuring brand ambassador Farage smiling with a gold coin in his hand appeared at last year’s Reform UK party conference, and he has also starred in online adverts for the company in the past.

When the Mirror paid a visit to Clacton, Nigel Farage’s constituency, locals and day-trippers offered frank views on the politician and his side gig – and it was clear that not everyone has his back.

Alf Wyatt, 76, a retired electrician and Labour voter, joked: “The best place for him would be in Europe – get him out of our way! All the people round here should be totally against what he says, but there you go.”

Steve Rogers, 75, from neighbouring Holland-on-Sea, told us that the Clacton “is more run down every time you come into it” – and said Nigel Farage’s presence hadn’t made things any better.

He said: “I don’t think he’s done a lot for the area, he’s too busy appearing in photoshoots and on telly – he’s not trying to do anything for Clacton.

“He likes a little photo of himself in the pub, or posing with a few people around him, but I haven’t exactly seen a lot of influence or impact he’s had at the town at the minute.”

Asked whether the revelations about the bullion deal surprised him, he said: “No, not at all. It doesn’t surprise me about any MP nowadays.”

But local man Angelo Sofroniou, who is in his 60s, said: “I’ve been a Labour supporter all my life – working and living in London – up until March, when I moved down here.

“I like him [Farage] – I like he’s saying about we in this country giving away too much foreign aid – and I think the money should go on the people that live here.”

John Mason, 80, said: “I think he’s entitled to do that.”

Despite now being MP for two years, Nigel Farage does not have a physical constituency office in Clacton and does not hold face-to-face surgeries as many parliamentary colleagues do, citing concerns over his security. Locals wanting to raise issues with their MP are instead asked to contact him online.

Asked whether he’s seen much of Farage around Clacton, John added: “I’ve seen him a couple of times. Wife Beverley, 71, added: “He could do with coming down a bit more.”

Complaints about many local issues – including anti-social behaviour, unreliable buses and boarded up High Street shops – also came up in conversation, with many keen to see change in the seaside town’s fortunes sooner rather than later.

Councillor Gary Scott, 50, stopped us in the street to tell us about the regeneration works planned for Clacton by the local Lib Dem-Labour-Independent council.

He said: “We’re doing a lot to bring investment here to improve the area – the administration’s been in power since 2023, before Nigel Farage was elected in 2024.

“People should come and visit – we’ve got a wonderful coastline, wonderful pier, nice independent cafes and restaurants and the Princes Theatre.”

On the bullion controversy, he said: “Personally, I think MPs should concentrate on doing what they’re doing as MPs. People elect MPs to do MP work – though it’s up to Mr Farage as to how he wants do things.”