Michael O’Keeffe
Local. Listening.
I met Michael at the Clacton by-election hustings at Clacton Town Hall on 6 August 2026. I found him to be thoughtful and deliberate, with clear and strong views, but also easy to speak to and debate with.
Meeting Michael
I met Michael O’Keeffe at the Clacton by-election hustings at Clacton Town Hall on Thursday 6 August 2026.
Michael and I are both standing as Independent candidates, and inevitably there are subjects on which we have different views.
I found Michael to be very thoughtful and deliberate. He clearly has strong views and is prepared to explain and defend them, but he is also very easy to speak to and debate with.
That is something I respect. Political disagreement does not have to become personal, and I found Michael willing to listen as well as put forward his own position.
His campaign places a strong emphasis on listening, evidence rather than slogans, and working with the local community. From the conversations I have had with him, that approach seemed consistent with the person I met.
Who is Michael O’Keeffe?
Michael Noel O’Keeffe is standing as an Independent candidate in the Clacton by-election on Thursday 13 August 2026.
There is currently relatively little published biographical information about Michael online.
Rather than fill in those gaps with assumptions, this profile concentrates on the information Michael has supplied himself, his published campaign material and my own experience of speaking with him.
A community that is listened to
Michael’s central campaign message is: “A community that is listened to. A future that is built together.”
He says he is standing for Parliament to give Clacton a stronger voice and describes his approach as independent, local and based around listening.
Michael’s approach
Michael sets out three principles behind the way he says he would represent Clacton.
Listening First
“I will listen to local people, businesses and young people before making decisions.”
Evidence, Not Slogans
“I will base my decisions on facts, not party politics or soundbites.”
Building Opportunity Together
“I will work with our community, businesses and volunteers to create opportunities for everyone.”
Michael’s priorities for Clacton
Michael’s campaign material identifies the following priorities.
- A thriving town centre and local shops
- Better jobs and support for businesses
- Homes local people can afford
- Excellent healthcare for our community
- Education that meets every child’s needs
- Reliable transport and safer streets
- A strong voice for Clacton in Parliament
Michael’s campaign
Michael’s campaign literature puts listening and community involvement at the centre of his pitch to voters.
One line in particular sums up the tone of his campaign:
“Real progress comes from listening, respecting and working together.”
As another Independent candidate, I think it is useful for voters to hear directly how Michael describes his own priorities rather than have them interpreted entirely through another candidate or a newspaper.
In Michael’s own words
Michael’s campaign statement
A community that is listened to.
A future that is built together.
I’m standing for Parliament to give Clacton a stronger voice.
LISTENING FIRST
I will listen to local people, businesses and young people before making
decisions.
EVIDENCE, NOT SLOGANS
I will base my decisions on facts, not party politics or soundbites.
BUILDING OPPORTUNITY TOGETHER
I will work with our community, businesses and volunteers to create
opportunities for everyone.
My priorities for Clacton:
- A thriving town centre and local shops
- Better jobs and support for businesses
- Homes local people can afford
- Excellent healthcare for our community
- Education that meets every child’s needs
- Reliable transport and safer streets
- A strong voice for Clacton in Parliament
Real progress comes from listening, respecting and working together.
Campaign statement and priorities supplied directly by Michael O’Keeffe.
Candidate to candidate
Michael and I are both Independent candidates and are competing for the same job. That does not mean we have to agree about everything.
In fact, being able to disagree and still have a sensible conversation is an important part of politics.
Having spoken with Michael, I found him thoughtful and deliberate. He has clear and strong views, but he is also easy to speak to, willing to discuss them properly and comfortable having those views challenged.
Whatever voters ultimately decide, I think Michael deserves to have his ideas considered on what he actually says and stands for.
Independent candidate for Clacton
Sources and further information
This profile is based primarily on material supplied directly by Michael O’Keeffe, together with official and independent confirmation of his candidacy.
- Michael O’Keeffe campaign statement and election poster Supplied directly by Michael O’Keeffe for use on Clacton.org.
- Michael O’Keeffe candidate photograph Supplied directly by Michael O’Keeffe.
- Tendring District Council, confirmed Clacton by-election candidates https://www.tendringdc.gov.uk/news/clacton-voters-to-choose-next-mp-as-by-election-candidates-confirmed
- PollCheck, Clacton by-election candidate listing https://www.pollcheck.co.uk/by-elections/clacton
The comments describing my conversations with Michael O’Keeffe are my own personal observations, including our meeting at the Clacton by-election hustings at Clacton Town Hall on 6 August 2026.