‘If we had jobs we wouldn’t care’: What Clacton voters think about small boats crisis

In the sunny seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea, the pier, beach and arcades are packed with locals and holidaymakers clutching dripping ice cream cones and cradling platters of fish and chips. Walk further into the residential neighbourhoods of this Essex town, and Union flags and St George’s crosses fly outside many homes, some bearing a placard reading “I’m with Nigel”. Stop and chat to locals sitting in the sun, enjoying a brisk sea breeze, and people are more than happy to talk about the imminent by-election, Nigel Farage and one of his favourite topics: small boats. This week, Farage doubled down on plans to deploy the Royal Navy to turn small boats back to France if Reform UK enters government. “Within a fortnight, there would ​be no more boats,” Farage told reporters. It’s long been a hot topic for Reform voters, but this year’s small boats figures – so far – are actually lower than the two previous years. According to the Migration Observatory, small boat crossings were down 13 per cent by the end of May compared to the same time in 2025. But has this reduction translated to voters in Clacton, and what do they really think about Farage’s pet issue? ‘We don’t know who the hell they are’ James Gray, 82, has lived in Clacton since he was a teenager in 1957. He describes himself as “a Nigel guy”. Since opening his barbershop 53 years ago, James said he has seen the town change a lot and now he views illegal immigration as one of the most important issues facing the country. He said: “I freely accept this is a multinational, multiracial country. But it’s all them people in all them little rubber boats that come over. We don’t know who the hell they are. I’m voting Reform.” Barber James Gray, 82, thinks small boats are the main issue in this by-election (Photo: Clare Walsh/The i Paper) Alongside the NHS, the barber said the small boats crisis was his main concern in the by-election – and that Reform’s tough stance on the matter was convincing. Another local, 44-year-old Jon, said he welcomed Reform’s proposal to bring in the Royal Navy as a show of force against small boats crossing the English Channel. Jon, like some others in this article, declined to give their surname to speak candidly. “I think it would be worth the cost because I do think the illegal immigration in this country is the number one problem,” he said, claiming: “There are sectors of immigrants who are not interested in integrating.” Experts said Reform’s plan would divert from the Navy’s core military role, could put lives at risk and potentially even break international and maritime law. Regardless, Reform’s argument has resonated with voters, including outside of Clacton. Adrian, 66, said politics is now “good against evil”. On holiday to the seaside town from his home in east London, he said: “It’s all about illegal immigrants. It’s quite obvious, really. Let’s be honest, we are full to the brim. There’s all these unvetted people coming in. How do we know where they’re going?” Tucking into fish and chips on the seafront with his friend Shelly, 58, he added: “We don’t have a racist bone in us… It’s the ones that want to destroy the country that are the problem.” It comes down to the cost of living Not everyone in the town sees illegal immigration as the most important issue at play in the election.Clacton is one of the worst areas in the country for economic activity, with roughly 47 per cent of residents without employment. Neighbouring Jaywick, also in Farage’s constituency, ranks as one of the most deprived areas in Britain. Critics believe that the dire economic condition has meant that Reform’s claims about immigrants taking Britons’ jobs and welfare claims have become particularly compelling to some voters here. Peter Hoare, 50, has lived in Clacton-on-Sea since 2008. A lifelong Labour voter, he acknowledged “immigration is a big priority” for voters, but said the most pressing issue for him was the local economy. He isn’t happy with Farage’s performance as an MP, saying more needs to be done to revitalise the town’s struggling high streets. “Usually this time of year we’re full of tourists. It’s about making enough money to keep us going for the rest of the year,” Peter said. “But the tourist boom hasn’t happened this year, more than ever. This year it’s like a ghost town. Businesses will close.” Peter Hoare, Labour voter and Farage critic, said the local economy was at the top of his mind (Photo: Clare Walsh/The i Paper) Rob, 44, believed the cost of living crisis was being pinned on immigrants for ulterior political motives. “Immigration is an issue,” he said. “But so is the NHS and roads. The main thing for me is the economy.” He added: “If you talk to real people, they will tell you the cost of living is the worst thing. But they want to blame the cost of living on immigration. “If you had a better economy where everyone had jobs, I don’t think people would care about immigration.” ‘Everybody sees him as a god king’ Regardless of their stance on immigration, the economy and their controversial MP, residents shared one conviction: that Farage will win the by-election. For critics like Peter and Rob, the best hope was that he might lose some support compared to the 46 per cent vote share he posted at the 2024 general election. They were both convinced Farage’s personal popularity and the hot-button topic of the small boats crisis all but guarantee a Reform win. “The trouble is, round here, everybody sees him as a god king,” Rob said. Others agreed, saying there is enough blind loyalty to the Reform leader because of his mastery of populist politics. “I love Clacton, I love the area, I love the people,” said Peter. “But I think there’s a core that will always vote for Nigel.’ “Nigel knows exactly what to say and when to say it. He’s a showman… But I don’t think he’s a man of the people.”