Farage wins Clacton by-election against Count Binface as donation probe restarts

By-election triggered by resignation

Nigel Farage, leader of the anti-immigration Reform UK party, regained his parliamentary seat in Clacton-on-Sea on 14 August 2026, winning a by-election he himself triggered by resigning his seat the previous month. Farage said he was waging war against an establishment seeking to discredit him over undeclared gifts from donors, and that he wanted "the people of Clacton to be his judges" because he was "tired of being judged by mainstream media." The by-election cost British taxpayers approximately £250,000. Reform UK had offered to cover the costs itself, but the government prohibited this as it would have been illegal.

Boycott and satirical opponent

Britain's main parties, Labour, the Conservatives, and the Liberal Democrats, boycotted the by-election, calling it a self-serving publicity stunt. With no mainstream candidates on the ballot, Farage's principal opponent became Count Binface, a satirical persona created by comedian Jonathan Harvey, who has become a fixture of British elections. Count Binface's platform includes a cap on ice cream cone prices, the "nationalisation" of singer Adele, and compulsory military service for people who talk loudly on their phones on public transport.

Results and turnout

Farage won with between 62.8% and 63.3% of the vote depending on source, with the higher figure corresponding to 22,239 votes. Count Binface secured 26.7%, or 9,455 votes per one report, meaning the satirical candidate captured more than a quarter of all votes cast. Turnout stood at 44%. Farage's share was higher than in the 2024 general election, as he had predicted.

Farage did not attend the vote count in the southern English resort of Clacton, saying police had advised him there was a campaign to cause disruption at the result announcement. He addressed supporters at a party before the result was announced.

The devil take me if I'm going to stand on a stage, having achieved a resounding victory, and suffer indignity and humiliation from nobodies.

Ongoing donation investigation

The by-election does not resolve Farage's broader troubles. A parliamentary investigation is underway into whether he should have declared a £5 million ($6.75 million) donation from a cryptocurrency billionaire investor to the relevant parliamentary committee. Farage has sought to downplay the donation. Reform UK's popularity had been declining in polls after a prolonged period in the lead, partly due to the financing allegations against Farage. The investigation has been officially announced as restarting.

Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart accused Farage of causing a by-election held for reasons of vanity and to avoid accountability.

A sitting MP should never under any circumstances turn such a process, funded by taxpayers, into a means to evade scrutiny.

Labour chair Bridget Phillipson, responsible for internal party matters and oversight of election campaigns, addressed the outcome.

His success does not clear his name and there are still questions that must be answered regarding the finances.

Farage attacked Count Binface as well, calling him "the establishment's candidate" and accusing Labour, the Conservatives, and the Liberal Democrats of campaigning on his behalf.