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3h ago

Farage Re-Elected in Clacton By-Election

His return to the Commons comes as the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards reopens an inquiry into an undeclared £5 million gift that could lead to suspension and a recall petition.

Clacton by-election candidates, including Count Binface. (Dan Kitwood/Getty)
(COMBO) This combination of file photos created on August 10, 2026 shows then-London mayoral candidate Count Binface (L) posing for a photo on College Green beside the Palace of Westminster in London on April 25, 2024; and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (R) speaking during the inaugural Conservative Political Action Conference Great Britain in south-east London on July 17, 2026. Hard-right UK politician Nigel Farage will be fighting for his parliamentary seat in snap polls on August 13, 2026, going head-to-head with parody candidate Count Binface in a snap election. The by-election was called after Farage, leader of the anti-immigration Reform UK party, resigned last month as MP for Clacton-on-Sea. (Photo by Henry Nicholls / AFP via Getty Images) / TO GO WITH Britain-politics-vote,ADVANCER by Jo Biddle and Theodore Griffin
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has been re-elected in his Clacton seat (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP via Getty Images)
Nigel Farage before casting his vote during the Clacton By-election (Photo: Henry Nicholls / AFP via Getty Images)

Overview

  • The by-election, which was held on Friday, returned Nigel Farage to Parliament with 22,239 votes and a 12,784 majority over 34 candidates.
  • Count Binface, a satirical candidate played by comedian Jonathan Harvey, finished second with 9,455 votes, his strongest result to date.
  • Farage did not attend the official result declaration, saying he had been advised to stay away for safety reasons, a claim Essex Police publicly denied.
  • The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards has resumed an investigation into a £5 million gift from Christopher Harborne and a finding of a suspension longer than ten sitting days would trigger a local recall petition.
  • Turnout was 44.4 percent, most rival parties declined to stand which shaped the unusual contest, and the reopened probe means Clacton could face another by-election if enough voters sign a recall petition.