3 weeks ago
Farage faces Count Binface in Clacton by-election as Reform sinks
A seaside town in England called Clacton is having a special vote, called a by-election, to choose who will be its member of Parliament.
A man named Nigel Farage used to have that job, but he quit on July 8 and then said he wants it back.
Before he quit, the people who check how MPs handle money said he did not tell them about big gifts he received.
One gift was five million pounds from a rich businessman, and another was money from a man who has been in prison for fraud.
The rules say MPs must tell people about such gifts.
Because many people are upset, the big political parties did not join the vote at all, and even the funny man called Count Binface, who wears a dustbin on his head, is one of his main rivals.
A total of 34 people are running, the most ever in a British election, so the voting paper is almost a metre long.
Most people think Farage will still win by a lot, but experts say that if he only barely wins, it may mean people are getting tired of him.
Nigel Farage resigned as MP for Clacton-on-Sea on July 8 amid a parliamentary probe into his finances and is standing for re-election.
The by-election features 34 candidates, the highest number in any UK parliamentary election, with a ballot paper nearly a metre long and 78,245 eligible voters.
Labour, the Conservatives, the Green Party, the Liberal Democrats and Restore Britain boycotted the vote, denouncing Farage's bid as a 'desperate stunt.'
Farage faces scrutiny over an undisclosed £5 million ($6.6 million) donation from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne and undeclared support from convicted fraudster George Cottrell, while London police investigate Reform donations from Cottrell's mother, Fiona.
Parody candidate Count Binface could win a fifth of the vote, and polls expect Farage to win by a large majority, though analysts say a narrow win would signal Reform UK's popularity has peaked.
- Who
- Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, and parody candidate Count Binface are among 34 candidates in the Clacton by-election.
- What
- A by-election to choose Clacton-on-Sea's MP, triggered by Farage's resignation amid a parliamentary investigation into his finances.
- Where
- Clacton-on-Sea, a seaside resort in eastern Essex, England.
- When
- Polling day is Thursday, following Farage's resignation as MP on July 8.
- Why
- Farage resigned amid the probe into his finances and is seeking re-election, framing the vote as a 'people versus the establishment' fight.
Critics and boycotting parties
Farage and his supporters
Nature of the by-election
Critics and boycotting parties
Labour called Farage's resignation and immediate re-election bid a 'desperate stunt,' and the Conservatives, Green Party, Liberal Democrats and Restore Britain joined the boycott, mocking the contest as a 'media circus' and 'vanity project.'
Farage and his supporters
Farage pitches the vote as a 'people versus the establishment by-election' in which the people of Clacton should be the judges of his actions.
Financial disclosures
Critics and boycotting parties
Critics accuse Farage of hiding 'dodgy donations,' and analysts say his resignation merely buys him time because the parliamentary investigation will resume once parliament's summer recess ends in September.
Farage and his supporters
Farage says the £5 million donation from Christopher Harborne was a gift for his security made before he became an MP.
What the result means
Critics and boycotting parties
Analysts argue a narrow win or a much lower vote share than 2024 would suggest Nigel Farage and Reform UK have peaked and his credibility has been damaged.
Farage and his supporters
Polls expect Farage to be re-elected by a large majority, indicating his support in Clacton remains strong despite the boycotts and scandals.
Key facts
- Election
- Clacton by-election, polling Thursday
- Candidates
- 34, the highest number in any UK parliamentary election
- Eligible voters
- 78,245
- Ballot paper
- Nearly a metre long
- Farage's 2024 result
- 46% of the vote, 21,225 votes
- Undisclosed donation
- £5 million ($6.6 million) from Christopher Harborne, claimed as a pre-MP security gift
- Police investigation
- London police probing Reform donations from George Cottrell's mother, Fiona
- Expected outcome
- Farage re-elected by a large majority, according to polls; investigation likely to resume in September
Quotes
Sir Keir Starmer
Then‑Prime Minister and Labour leader
“"It's obvious why he is doing it. He is up to his neck in sleaze. Politics should be about improving the lives of millions of people, not about personal gain, not about hiding dodgy donations, and I think the public will see this for exactly what it is,"”
firstpost.com
“"Behind every one of these campaigns is a simple argument: that showing up matters, that a ballot is worth casting even when you know how the night ends."”
easterneye.biz
Sources
Related news
Farage vs Count Binface in Clacton by-election shunned by parties
Nigel Farage regains UK parliamentary seat despite Count Binface challenge
Nigel Farage Probe Resumes After Clacton By-Election Win
Pipaliya Joins 34 Candidates Challenging Nigel Farage in Clacton
Keir Starmer to Quit Parliament After Turbulent Political Exit
Nigel Farage's Political Resurgence Amid UK Turmoil
