Nigel Farage sparks Clacton by-election with fringe candidates including Count Binface

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage resigned his MP seat for Clacton on 7 July, triggering a by‑election that he framed as a “people versus the establishment” contest. He says the electorate will judge his actions amid investigations into an undisclosed £5 million gift from billionaire donor Christopher Harborne.

The main Westminster parties have chosen to boycott the race, leaving a field of novelty and independent candidates. Among them are comedian Jon Harvey’s Count Binface, wildlife activist Rob Pownall (who withdrew after dressing in a fox costume), former TV personality Mr Fishfinger, actor‑activist Laurence Fox of the Reclaim Party, and others such as Piers Corbyn and a British Democratic Party candidate. Betting markets list Farage as the odds‑on favorite, but Count Binface is second‑favorite at roughly 5/1.

Public opinion is split: a Survation poll reported that 52 % of voters view the by‑election as a tactic to deflect scrutiny over the gift, while some Reform supporters remain loyal. The episode also saw a 20‑year‑old arrested for threatening to kill Farage on social media. In a rare move, outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly endorsed Count Binface during his final PMQs, urging voters to “put your vote in the bin.”