Reform UK leader Nigel Farage won the Clacton parliamentary seat in the 2024 general election, defeating the previous MP, Conservative Giles Watling, by a majority of 8,405 votes.
Farage's victory and by-election call
Farage had been MP for Clacton since the 2024 general election. He called a by-election at the start of July after facing pressure over unregistered donations of cash and support. In a video statement, he said: “I have done nothing wrong. I have not broken the law in any way at all.” He accused the media of harassment and vowed to fight a “people versus the establishment” by-election.
By-election details and candidates
The by-election, set for Thursday, August 13, has a record 34 candidates. Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, and Restore Britain ruled out standing. Polling stations open at 7am and close at 10pm, with the result expected between 2am and 5am on Friday.
The full list of candidates includes Nigel Farage (Reform UK), Laurence Fox (The Reclaim Party), Count Binface, and numerous independents.
