The House Opinion Article | Are we really considering a bin for Clacton?

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There’s a lot of talking, not a lot of action. Now, in Clacton’s by-election, much of the national conversation has been reduced to a choice between Nigel Farage and Count Binface.

I understand why Binface has struck a chord. Humour works when politics has become absurd, and a vote for a man wearing a bin on his head can feel more honest than supporting politicians who make promises and then disappear. He gives people a way to express their frustration. But Clacton needs more than an expression of frustration. It needs someone who will still be here when the cameras have gone, bringing people together and doing the unglamorous work of getting things done.

That is why I am standing as an independent candidate.

Like Clacton, I grew up in an area that was forgotten. Deindustrialisation and tourism decline has led to fewer opportunities. It has felt like decades of little to no political interest has been paid to people like us.I grew up on a council estate in a single-parent family and relied on free school meals. 

Forty seven per cent of Clacton’s residents over 16 are classified as “economically inactive. One in five working-age adults have never held a traditional job. 

Later, as a young adult, I found myself in a similar position – struggling. After a divorce, I was left struggling to pay my bills resulting in me being in £24,000 worth of debt and was constantly trying to make ends meet. If anyone has lived like that you know how that fear changes you. It also gives you a very good understanding of the difference between political soundbites and everyday life. 

What has changed my life is education, but not the education that I got in school – but financial education. This is the education we should be getting – what is a mortgage, what is tax, what is compounded interest. This education taught me about budgeting, credit and how money actually works. That education helped me clear my debt – it gave me a future. 

Real life solutions are what I want to bring to Clacton. I’ll give you an example – the people of Clacton have told me about the need for a local dentist, at present, if you need an NHS dentist you need to travel up to Colchester. Why are we not empowering a local entrepreneur to fill this void?! This is remedied with financial education – and if I get in – and if I don’t – we’ll get to the solution. 

This is why financial education sits at the heart of my priorities. If a single lesson on budgeting and money could have saved me years of struggle, imagine what it could do for every child growing up right now. This shouldn’t be a privilege for the lucky few. It should be normal.

But education alone isn’t enough. I want to work with residents, small businesses, schools, community groups and public bodies to find paths to thrive. I wantto help local businesses grow and bring empty units back to life whilst making sure taxpayers’ money is spent wisely. I don’t want to see Clacton’s future in The Bin(face).

When this by-election was called, the choice on offer seemed to be Nigel Farage or a bin. 

Now, Count Binface offers clever commentary on a political system that has let people down. But I’m offering something a little different, providing real life skills, commitment and something beyond a protest vote. 

I won’t pretend to have every answer. But I will always listen, I will always work hard, and I will always put the people of Clacton first. I want the people to of Clacton to have a real choice – not between personalities and punchlines – but someone who can help Clacton thrive, and that’s me, Abi Hookway.

Abi Hookway is an independent candidate for Clacton