No exit poll has been commissioned for the Clacton by-election, where Nigel Farage is seeking to retain his seat against 33 other candidates. Polls closed at 10pm on Thursday (August 13), with the count anticipated to begin shortly after.
Unconventional contest
The by-election features no major Westminster parties, as the Conservatives, Greens, Labour, Lib Dems and Restore are all boycotting the election, branding it as a stunt. Mr Farage intended it to be a "people versus the establishment" contest, but instead faces a range of candidates including satirical contender Count Binface, actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox, three from the Official Monster Raving Loony Party and various independents.
Approximately 80,000 people could have attended one of the 51 polling stations throughout the constituency to cast their ballot. The Reform UK leader stood down as an MP to force the by-election in objection to media and parliamentary examination of donations from his supporters.
Logistical challenges
The poll is estimated to have cost taxpayers approximately £250,000, and the 90cm-long ballot paper has created logistical challenges for Tendring District Council. The dimensions mean bigger tables than normal will be needed at the count, and the result will be declared on the floor of Clacton Leisure Centre instead of on a stage due to the number of candidates. Photographers and television cameras have been advised they will require a wide-angle lens to capture all candidates in a single photograph.
Results are not expected until the early hours of Friday morning (August 14). EssexLive will be delivering live coverage of the by-election with updates throughout the evening and into the night.
Historical context
At the 2024 general election, Mr Farage secured Clacton with 46.2 per cent of the vote and a majority of 8,405 over his Conservative opponent. The 34 candidates surpass the previous record of 26, established at the Haltemprice and Howden by-election in July 2008, which was triggered by Tory Sir David Davis in his own constituency and similarly disregarded by the main Westminster parties.
