‘I spent the day with Nigel Farage and there’s one thing that surprised me’

with some in Parliament given the huge chunk of public support Reform UK have taken from established political parties.

But as we walked the streets of his constituency in Clacton-on-Sea, in Essex, this month it was easy to see why he is so popular among some voters on the ground.

The day started in a unassuming Sea Cadet hut hidden in the middle of a housing estate where, despite Storm Darragh blowing a gale outside, many locals had turned out with stalls for a Christmas Market.

brought some festive cheer to some, even for those who told me they hadn’t voted for Reform.

As several people clammered for photographs with the veteran politician, a pyschic with a stall revealed to me she thought “he would go far” and a former nurse said she “agreed with a lot of what he says”.

Both the right and left of the political spectrum can sometimes be guilty of appearing to sneer at Reform UK and Nigel as a ‘populist’ party, but seeing him in action amongst his constituents he undoubtedly did appear popular with them.

The same could not be said when I asked a few people about Sir and Labour’s first six months in power, with no one willing to give the Government a rave review.

From the warmth of the Sea Cadets gathering we headed to Nigel’s constituency office, which very aptly sits on the seafront in Clacton overlooking the slightly faded glory that besets many coastal towns these days.

It was definitely not the weather for a day at the beach, but Nigel was effusive about the “miles of sand” and “amazing pier” which he said was great for families and kids even if it’s raining.

His positivity about his constituency was definitely at odds with his feelings on Westminster, which he called “impossible” due to a lack of clarity on voting times and a rule that he was not allowed to do Reform party business in the Commons.

Back on the streets again, we visited All Dolled Up Beauty Academy where owner Tracey Batchelor spoke to us about an excellent initiative to raise money for gifts for local children at Christmas. Nigel assured he would be making a donation and he happily posed for more requests for photographs with staff.

At the end of a long day touring Clacton, which is surprisingly diverse in terms of rural, urban and seaside areas, Nigel and his team suggested we take shelter from Storm Darragh in a local pub.

Nigel, who said he thinks of every “pub as a Parliament”, was clearly in his element and was happy to chat with drinkers coming in for food and a pint early on a Saturday evening. Several of course wanted a photograph, and one woman even gave Nigel a hug.

The Reform UK leader enjoyed a pint of Adnams Southwold bitter and the conversation drifted to his attendance of President ‘s inauguration in January for the start of a Presidency he said would be making “big stuff” happen.

But it was perhaps telling that the most enthusiastic I found Nigel was when he was discussing his love of long-line fishing off the beach, a method where anglers stay on shore and cast a line into the surf. I was shown photographic evidence of a reasonable catch from a recent trip Nigel had taken.

It felt like I was just chatting to a bloke in the pub, and that of course is probably the key to his and Reform’s success.

Whatever happens in Westminster, there are not many MPs who I believe could have connected so easily with so many people during a walkabout, and perhaps they need to start learning how it is done before it’s too late.