Nigel Farage has won the Clacton by-election, declaring a "convincing, overwhelming win" to supporters chanting his name hours before the result was announced. At just after 6am, the result was confirmed, with Count Binface securing over 9,000 votes. However, the big question now is whether he will have to go through the whole thing again in a few months' time.
Farage Fest and the Count
In the early hours of this morning, the Reform UK leader took to the stage at a party in Essex dubbed "Farage Fest". Meanwhile, sleep-deprived journalists were gathered at Clacton Leisure Centre as the count was underway.
Mr Farage predicted he had won more votes than he received in the 2024 general election and said the voters of Clacton had "stuck up two fingers to the entire political establishment". He announced that he would not be attending the count after being told by police about a plot to embarrass him.
By-Election Result
At 6am, the other candidates lined up in the sports hall for the result. Mr Farage received 22,239 votes, with his main rival Count Binface second with almost 10,000.
The Brexiteer called his "people versus the establishment" by-election following intense scrutiny over his finances. Critics branded it a farce, but Mr Farage has appeared to be in his element hitting the campaign trail meeting residents in the seaside constituency.
Investigation and Possible Rerun
His by-election victory means a parliamentary investigation into an undeclared £5 million gift he received from a crypto billionaire before he became an MP - which he has insisted is needed to pay for his ongoing security - will be reopened. While he insists people in Clacton do not care about the row, undecided voters across the country could be swayed by it.
It also comes as Reform has been overtaken by Labour in national opinion polls for the first time in 18 months as the party enjoys a bounce under new leader Andy Burnham.
If Mr Farage is found to have broken the rules and then suspended for more than 10 days, it could lead to another by-election. It means he could be forced to fight for his seat once again - and Clacton voters sent back to the ballot box.
