Nigel Farage wins Clacton by-election with 63% of vote
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Nigel Farage reclaimed his parliamentary seat in a by-election, defeating novelty candidate Count Binhouse with 63% of the vote amid a 44% turnout.
Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, was returned to the House of Commons after a by-election in the Clacton constituency, securing 63% of the vote. The contest, held on a hot summer day, featured 34 candidates and recorded a turnout of 44%.
The runner-up, Count Binface – a satirical candidate who dresses in a trash-can helmet – received about 27% of the vote. Binface, a frequent independent contender, ran on a platform that included unconventional proposals such as nationalising singer Adele.
Farage, who resigned his seat in July amid a parliamentary inquiry into an alleged undeclared £5 million donation from a cryptocurrency investor, said he stood again to demonstrate voter support. He did not attend the official result declaration, citing police advice about a potential “organized campaign to disrupt and degrade the result.” An Essex police spokesperson said a “proportionate and robust policing operation” was in place for the count.
The standards watchdog that had paused its investigation when Farage stepped down is expected to resume its probe, which could lead to further parliamentary action. Farage maintains the donation was a personal gift used for security expenses and predates his election, but rules require MPs to declare gifts over £300 linked to political activity.
The by-election highlighted Farage’s continued local support despite ongoing scrutiny of his finances and the broader political landscape, where major parties chose not to field candidates, leaving a field dominated by independents and novelty parties.