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When Donald Trump sets off on his first tour of the world’s capitals, his itinerary is likely to be a roll call of famous cities: Berlin, Moscow, Kyiv, Rome, London perhaps.
But as Air Force One dots the globe, anyone who suggests that the unfashionable Essex resort of Clacton-on-Sea might be tacked on to the list will not be taken seriously.
It has echoes of the slogan on Del Trotter’s battered yellow Reliant Robin in Only Fools and Horses: “Trotters Independent Trading: New York, Paris, Peckham”.
But don’t laugh: there are those in Nigel Farage’s circle who believe it might actually happen.
They are convinced that Farage, who spent election night in the US with Trump, might have already persuaded the president to visit his constituency of Clacton when he visits London, as he is expected to do.
In fact, they are already preparing to roll out the red carpet for the president-elect, as well as considering how to impress and entertain him.
There is talk of visiting one of Clacton’s two golf courses for a round of Trump’s favourite sport, before “the Beast” and the presidential limousine make their way to the Wetherspoon’s pub opposite the pier.
Peter Harris, Farage’s election campaign agent and a Reform councillor, tells The Independent: “We are certainly preparing to welcome President Trump. We are ready to roll out the red carpet. It will be amazing for this area.
“We are very fortunate to have the only MP in Britain who is close friends with the president-elect. Nigel’s victory was a big moment for Clacton, but this could be huge.
“We have excellent golf courses in Frinton and Clacton. Trump will be more than welcome to play a round here. It would be tremendous to see Trump and Nigel walking together along Clacton seafront.”
The area’s chequered history includes being a base for the notorious Kray twins, and the migration of cockneys from London helped give it the nickname “Dagenham on Sea”.
But having been neglected and forgotten for decades, it is now back in the public eye as the place that finally elected Farage to the Commons on his eighth attempt.
Harris would also like to take the most powerful man in the world – who is famously teetotal – for a drink at the Three Jays pub in the village of Jaywick, which has regularly topped the list of England’s most deprived areas.
The trip to Jaywick would be part of a hope that, after a presidential visit, the man who made his name as a real estate tycoon can cast an eye over the area and help revive it, with the help of his famous entourage.
Harris says: “Nigel promised voters that he would do what he could to bring much-needed investment into Clacton and this area, and it certainly will help to have the ear of the president of the United States and people like Elon Musk.”
With his second presidential victory, Trump has already promised to revive American fortunes – in Clacton, fingers are crossed that he can also Make Essex Great Again.
