Nigel Farage in London with hundreds of farmers today

Barleyfields

It’s a great shame that Farage was elected to serve Clacton, though I’m not surprised that the people there voted for Reform. I don’t know what they thought he would do for them, what he told them, but by now they must realise that nothing’s going to happen any time soon. I don’t know who last represented Clacton, but the town has been in this miserable state for a good many years. It’s a disgraceful state of affairs, but replicated in many other places I’m sure.

Douglas Carswell was MP (C) for many years, then caused a by-election by defecting to UKIP, re-elected, then elected again as an Independent. He was a very decent MP by all accounts.

In 2017 Giles Watling (C) succeeded Carwell who retired.

Both the above were visible and held surgeries.

Then along came Farage…..

Barleyfields

Of course not all Clacton people are unskilled, unemployed or criminals (I worked with someone who lived there who was none of those things) but far too many are and until that’s addressed somehow things won’t improve. Yes, Jaywick too …

I know, my comment was lighthearted and tongue in cheek!

I sometimes feel the need to defend much of Essex, whilst wearing my white shoes and dancing around my handbag!

”I sometimes feel the need to defend much of Essex, whilst wearing my white shoes and dancing around my handbag!”

I feel the same way about Yorkshire Cossy, whilst wearing mi flat cap and walking mi whippet

I like to defend much of Essex too Cossy. 😊 The general perception of it is so wrong.

they just could not entice skilled, graduate labour that they needed

That's a shame. There are some nice bits of Essex round Clacton that I wouldn't object to living in. Constable country, sailing from Wivenhoe and Brightlingsea or further round the coast. Essex Uni just up the road...

But no really direct train service to London. Clearly too far out in the Styx

LizzieDrip

^”I sometimes feel the need to defend much of Essex, whilst wearing my white shoes and dancing around my handbag!”^

I feel the same way about Yorkshire Cossy, whilst wearing mi flat cap and walking mi whippet

North East Essex was never white shoes and dancing round handbags

I was brought up in Essex and Devon - I keep quiet about the Essex bit

Luckygirl3

I was brought up in Essex and Devon - I keep quiet about the Essex bit

I was brought up in NE Essex. Never worn white shoes... (but didn't everyone dance round their handbags?)

Nor did we have ;medallion men'

I still love bits of it though I haven't been back for a few years now.

It’s a shame you keep quiet about Essex luckygirl, but I know what you mean. People’s perceptions. As regards ‘my’ corner of Essex, near the border with Suffolk, they couldn’t be more wrong.

Luckygirl3

I was brought up in Essex and Devon - I keep quiet about the Essex bit

Why?
Parts of Essex are lovely. Some of DH's ancestors are from there and my research made me revise my views! The village they came from has many listed buildings.