CLACTON, England — Reform UK leader Nigel Farage won a special parliamentary election in Clacton on Friday, regaining the seat he had resigned last month and securing 22,239 votes, or 63.34% of ballots cast.
Farage defeated his closest challenger, satirical candidate Count Binface, who won 9,455 votes, or 26.93%, according to the declared result. Turnout was about 44%, with 34 candidates contesting the seat in what was reported as a record field for a UK parliamentary election.
The election was triggered by Farage's resignation as Clacton's member of parliament in July. He had said he wanted voters to decide whether he should return to Parliament after coming under scrutiny over financial support he received.
The country's main political parties, including Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens, declined to field candidates. They had criticized Farage's decision to resign and immediately seek re-election as a political stunt, leaving the Reform leader facing a field dominated by independent and novelty candidates.
Farage's victory restores his position as MP for the Essex constituency, which he first won for Reform UK at the 2024 general election with 46.2% of the vote. His latest vote total was higher in absolute terms than in 2024, when he received 21,225 votes.
The result does not end scrutiny of Farage's finances. A parliamentary standards investigation into a £5 million gift from cryptocurrency businessman Christopher Harborne has resumed following the election, according to the Financial Times. Farage has denied wrongdoing and said the money was not improperly received.
Farage did not attend the official count, citing concerns about a security threat. Essex police disputed any suggestion that candidates had been advised not to attend, while saying security arrangements were in place.
Farage now returns to the House of Commons as Clacton's elected representative. The parliamentary standards inquiry remains ongoing, leaving the financial questions that prompted his resignation unresolved.
