Nigel Farage was left humiliated after spending weeks campaigning against a bin in the Clacton by-election. While the Reform UK leader is heavily tipped to remain the Clacton MP, his reputation is in tatters since the by-election became a total farce.
Record-breaking ballot
Farage was one of a record-breaking 34 candidates to stand, in a contest believed to have cost taxpayers £250,000. Last night’s count was expected to be equally chaotic thanks to the super-sized ballot paper, an epic 90cm (3ft) long, which meant larger than usual tables were needed.
There were also too many candidates for them all to fit on stage when the results were called. They were due to be announced on the floor of Clacton Leisure Centre between 5am and 7am on Friday morning.
Count Binface's challenge
Intergalactic space warrior Count Binface was Farage’s main opponent in the poll, after all the mainstream parties refused to participate. And last night he insisted that whatever the result, he had “already won.”
In a graphic shared online, Binners pointed out his rival could end up with “fewer votes than 2024” or “less of a majority” – and if not, he still faces a “Commons standards investigation into his conduct.” The Count added: “Checkmate, Nige.”
Local reactions
Meanwhile some fed-up Clacton locals were furious to see the vote – billed as ‘Farage vs the Establishment’ – turn into ‘Farage vs the Circus’.
Jack Rogers, 34, said they were tired of him using the coastal town as a political tool. The Binface voter, who works in a garden centre, added: “Yeah definitely. It’s hard graft for the people around here. This place means something to them and they want to be able to make a difference, not necessarily politically but just meaningfully.”
But other Clacton residents were still backing Farage, who cast his vote yesterday near his seaside home in Walton-on-the-Naze. The politician has been touring the area on his ‘battle bus’ in the lead-up to the poll.
Retired builder Robert Peek, 80, said he would be voting Reform UK – despite the probe into an undeclared £5million gift Farage received from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. He said: “I don’t take no notice. They’re all on the take. He’s got a mouth on him and he says what the people want to hear.”
And barmaid Kerry Woodland, 56, said she was voting Farage because of his stance on immigration. She added: “I’m not having my tax money spent on people who come over living in hotels and get everything for free. I’ve worked hard in my life and I don’t get any of that.”
