Nigel Farage faces a summer battling a bin after throwing what his critics branded a 'hissy fit' and triggering a by-election in Clacton-on-Sea. The Reform UK leader will now try to convince voters to choose him over parody candidate Count Binface in a contest that has drawn national attention.
Farage's gamble triggers by-election
Mr Farage, who was being investigated by Parliament's standards commissioner, announced he would step down as an MP on Tuesday, forcing the humiliating contest. With other parties steering clear, Count Binface is likely to be his main rival. Bookmakers have shortened odds on a Binface victory.
Lee Phelps, a spokesman for William Hill, said: “Count Binface continues to garner support in our Clacton by-election market and we now make him a 7/2 shot to steal the Kent seat from Nigel Farage, down from 5/1 yesterday. Reform’s odds remain unchanged at 1/6, but with Binface’s price continuing to shorten, punters clearly feel he has plenty left in the tank.”
Labour and locals criticise Farage
Labour minister Sir Chris Bryant said he would probably not vote if he lived in Clacton, calling the by-election a “farce without any jokes in it.” He added: “Nigel had a hissy fit, I just don’t think that we should play along with that game and, I’m guessing he’ll come back.”
Mr Farage is being investigated by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner over an undeclared £5 million gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne that he accepted in 2024. The investigation is expected to resume if he returns to Parliament.
Some locals in Clacton accused Farage of wasting money. Clacton-based bus driver Lee Sommerville, 52, said: “It’s to delay the investigation, point blank. So, there must be obviously some truth behind what has been claimed.” He added: “He’s a mini Trump. He has been around Trump too much and he has picked up all of Trump’s bad habits.”
Potential embarrassment for Farage
The possibility of a Binface victory, while far-fetched, could result in catastrophic embarrassment for the Reform leader. Sir Chris dismissed Farage’s tactics, saying: “I know what Nigel’s trying to do. He’s trying to pretend that he’s Donald Trump, and that they’re all out to get me… I just don’t think it washes with most ordinary members of the public.”
