Nigel Farage won the Clacton byelection, defeating Count Binface, in a contest boycotted by every other major political party.
The Reform UK leader triggered the byelection in July as questions intensified over a £5m gift he received from the cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne. The result comes as an investigation by the parliamentary standards watchdog is set to restart this Friday.
Farage holds Clacton with large majority
Farage, who did not attend the count, secured 22,239 votes, equivalent to 63.34% of the vote. Count Binface, a parody candidate dressed as an intergalactic rubbish bin, received 9,455 votes, or 26.93%. Turnout was 44%.
Courtesy of BBC
A record 34 candidates stood for the coastal seat. Farage had been widely expected to win, with a Survation poll published on Monday giving him 75% and Binface 20%.
Farage declared himself the winner while votes were still being counted, as the result was confirmed later.
Picture courtesy of The Guardian
Standards inquiry to restart after £5m gift
The byelection outcome is unlikely to close the wider debate around Farage’s and Reform UK’s finances. The formal investigation into the £5m gift is due to resume as soon as Friday.
Despite his victory, Farage did not make an appearance at Clacton leisure centre, where the count was held, instead attending “Farage Fest”, a carnival-like event in the rural fringes of the constituency.
Security measures at the count
At the count, there was a heavy security presence, including bag checks and metal detectors at the entrance to the leisure centre.
Farage had earlier claimed that Essex police had advised him that an “organised campaign” was under way to embarrass him when the result was declared. Tendring district council chief executive Ian Davidson said the force would not comment on policing security, but added that there was a “robust policing operation” in place.
The Guardian reported that the police did not advise Farage not to attend.
Links to convicted fraudster, police probe into donations
Since the byelection was called, additional questions have been raised about Farage’s links to the convicted fraudster George Cottrell. Separately, the Metropolitan police opened an investigation into donations made to the party.
The byelection was held after Farage described it as “the people versus the establishment”. Shortly afterwards, every other main political party said it would not take part, branding the race a “media circus” and a “vanity project”.
Count Binface, created by comedian Jon Harvey as an “entirely independent space warrior”, emerged as the strongest challenger among the fields of candidates.
After standing in multiple parliamentary elections since 1994, Farage was elected to the House of Commons as the member for Clacton in 2024. He won the seat with a majority of 8,400, taking 46.2% of the vote, with the Conservatives second and Labour third.
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14 August 2026
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