Long the butt of endless jokes, Clacton-on-Sea, a 90 minute trainride northeast of London, has returned to the front line of British politics ahead of the July 4 election. Long the butt of endless jokes, Clacton-on-Sea, a 90 minute trainride northeast of London, has returned to the front line of British politics ahead of the July 4 election. World / Europe Sydney Morning Herald – Latest News