Overview
- Nigel Farage resigned his Clacton seat to force a by‑election and is standing to reclaim it in the poll set for 13 August.
- The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards paused an inquiry into a reported £5 million gift when Farage vacated the seat and the probe would likely restart if he returns to the Commons.
- If the standards investigation finds a rules breach that attracts a suspension of more than 10 sitting days, that suspension could trigger a recall petition and a possible second by‑election.
- Major Westminster parties refused to stand candidates, leaving a record 34 names on the ballot and elevating Count Binface as Farage’s highest‑profile challenger.
- Recent polling puts Farage well ahead and local residents say the contest feels like a distraction, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said the Tories will run a candidate only if a resumed probe produces a suspension.