Farage Re-Elected in Clacton By-Election He Triggered Himself

Nigel Farage was re-elected MP for Clacton on 13 August 2026, winning 63.3% of the vote (22,239 votes) and a majority of 12,784 over novelty candidate Count Binface (26.9%, 9,455 votes) on a 44.4% turnout. Farage triggered the by-election himself, resigning the seat on 7 July amid scrutiny over his personal finances — including a reported £5 million gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne first disclosed in April 2026 and questions over donations linked to Robert Jenrick's 2024 Conservative leadership bid — which he dismissed as an 'establishment smear.' A record 34 candidates stood, breaking the previous UK record set in 2008. While Farage held his own seat comfortably, Reform UK's national polling has slipped since his resignation announcement, with an Ipsos poll putting Labour on 28% against Reform's 25%, as the Conservatives and Greens close the gap in third and fourth.