PersonGB
Giles Watling
Former Conservative MP for Clacton.
Last refreshed: 12 August 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Key Question
How big a majority did Farage need to beat to hold Clacton?
Background
Giles Watling served as Conservative MP for Clacton from 2017 until 2024, when he lost the seat to Reform UK's Nigel Farage on 27.9% against Farage's 46.2%, an 18.3-point margin. Before entering politics, Watling was a stage and television actor. He had earlier stood in Clacton's 2014 by-election, losing to Douglas Carswell after Carswell's defection from the Conservatives to UKIP. Watling's 2024 result remains the benchmark against which Farage's 13 August 2026 by-election majority is being measured.
Common Questions
How did Giles Watling do against Farage in Clacton in 2024?
Watling took 27.9% as the sitting Conservative MP, against Farage's 46.2%, an 18.3-point margin.Source: Press Association
What did Giles Watling do before politics?
Watling was a stage and television actor before becoming Clacton's Conservative MP in 2017.Source: Wikipedia
How the World Sees Them
Reform UK
a flagrantly partisan attempt to kneecap Reform UK
Ian Davidson, Acting Returning Officer for Clacton
is expected to cost around four times as much as a more typical ballot paper for a by-election of this kind
Sinn Féin
no intent, plan or otherwise
Scottish Labour
This 'contest' reeks of misogyny and male entitlement.
Democratic Unionist Party
goaded
Scottish National Party
the most undemocratic trick in the Westminster book
MHCLG / Steve Reed
further time is required as it is vital that we get these decisions right
Local Government Association / litigating councils
simply not deliverable
Local Government Association
significant risks to statutory services