Kemi Badenoch has sent a letter telling voters in Clacton they “deserve” better than Nigel Farage despite the Leader of the Opposition refusing to stand a candidate in the Essex seaside seat.
Mrs Badenoch, who vowed to stand if a second by-election is triggered in Clacton later this year, penned a 771-word letter just one week before polls open in Clacton.
Mr Farage is now being tipped to romp to victory in Clacton, with the Reform UK leader facing a challenge from satirical candidate Count Binface and 32 other candidates.
Directly addressing voters in Clacton, Mrs Badenoch accused Mr Farage of calling the vote to “help himself” and claimed he wanted his constituents to “settle his problems for him”.
She added: “Most people cannot imagine being given £5m. It is life-changing money. Actually, more than most lottery winners will get.
“But this wasn’t a lottery win. It was given to him, and the people of Clacton are entitled to ask why someone would give Nigel Farage that kind of money. More importantly, you are entitled to ask what that person expected in return.”
Mr Farage, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing over financial gifts received from the Thai-based cryptocurrency tycoon Christopher Harborne and convicted fraudster George Cottrell, claimed the by-election on August 13 would be a “people versus the establishment” vote.
The Brexit supremo was under investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner when he stood down.
However, the investigation was paused when Mr Farage triggered the vote last month.
Mr Farage could face a second by-election if he is suspended from the House of Commons for 10 days or more after the investigation resumes.
Voters in Clacton would still need to sign a recall petition to trigger a second vote.
Mrs Badenoch, who revealed the Tories would field a candidate if another by-election is called later this year, accused Mr Farage of trying to “kill the process” instead of “getting on with his job as your MP”.
The Leader of the Opposition added: “When the proper process has run its course and there is a genuine contest, we will be there.
“I will put forward a serious candidate who understands that representing Clacton is a job: someone who turns up, listens, holds meetings and works for the people who live here.
“You deserve an MP who puts you first, rather than making every question about himself.”
Mrs Badenoch published her letter just hours after ruling out a pact with Reform UK before or after the next general election.
She said: “I’m not trying to unite the right, I’m trying to unite the country.”
However, Mr Farage was handed a major boost this week after bombshell polling revealed the Reform UK leader is on course to secure a thumping majority on August 13.
Survation’s poll found 73 per cent of Clacton voters would now vote for Mr Farage, up from 46 per cent at the last general election.
Count Binface, who is seen by many in Westminster as Mr Farage’s main challenger, looks poised to hoover up around 20 per cent.
The polling also found Mr Farage commands significant support from voters if the other main parties opt to stand in the seat later this year.
The Reform UK leader extended his support to 57 per cent after receiving an 11-point boost.
Meanwhile, Tory support has dropped by 17 per cent since the 2024 General Election, leaving Mrs Badenoch’s party with just 11 per cent of the vote.
The Greens would likely end up level with Labour on just nine per cent, leaving the Liberal Democrats languishing behind on seven per cent.