UK far-right leader Farage beats Count Binface to win by-election

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (C) arrives to vote in the Clacton by-election, at a polling station in a primary school in Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, on August 13, 2026. HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP Nigel Farage beat trash-can wearing comic candidate Count Binface on Friday, August 14, regaining a seat in Parliament he quit a month ago to trigger the widely mocked special election. Farage received 22,239 votes and Binface, who finished in second, exceeded expectations with 9,455 votes. The election, held on the hottest day of the year so far, had turnout of 44%. Farage had triggered the vote by resigning the parliamentary seat of Clacton he had held since 2024 over an investigation into his finances. He said he would run for the open seat to prove he had voters' support, and regained it with 63% of the vote. Binface, who finished in second, won about 27%, his best result yet in eight elections. By winning at least 5% of the vote, he's earned a refund of the deposit of 500 pounds ($675) candidate pay to run. Analysts had anticipated a win for Farage but underestimated the appeal of the self-styled "intergalactic space warrior," who campaigns wearing a rubbish bin on his head, forecasting a large share of the vote approaching but not exceeding 20% The vote had been shunned by Britain's main political parties, including the governing Labour Party, as a stunt by the Reform UK leader – once touted as a potential prime minister – to dodge scrutiny of his dealings. That gave dozens of fringe candidates including Binface – the alter ego of comedian Jon Harvey – to seize the spotlight. "The moral victory is already mine," he told Agence France-Presse (AFP) at the counting centre early on Friday ahead of the final tally. Binface said it had been his "humble duty" to be Farage's opposition, adding he would respect the results. "If a majority of the voters of Clacton say they would like him to be returned as their MP, that is to be respected," he said. Farage declares victory early and boycotts official ceremony Farage, leader of the anti-immigration Reform UK party who some see as a possible next prime minister, abruptly quit his seat in July amid an investigation into whether he failed to report a 5 million pound ($6.7 million) gift from a crypto billionaire overseas. He said he would run for the open seat to prove he had voters' support. Partner service Learn French with Gymglish Thanks to a daily lesson, an original story and a personalized correction, in 15 minutes per day. Try for free Binface, a serial candidate who has challenged prime ministers past and present, became the default challenger in a field of 34 candidates after the major parties boycotted the campaign as a political stunt by Farage. Binface ran on a wacky platform that included a vow to "cut your taxes, and raise everyone else's," build one affordable home and nationalize singer Adele. Read more Subscribers only Far-right Nigel Farage faces an unlikely opponent: Count Binface Farage declared victory in the early morning and did not attend the official declaration where he would have had to stand alongside the other candidates, many of them running joke campaigns. Farage said he didn't attend because police told him about an "organized campaign to disrupt and degrade the result," though police disputed that. "We have a proportionate and robust policing operation to ensure the safety and security of all participants in the count," an Essex police spokesperson said. Acting Returning Officer Ian Davidson said election officials had worked with police to ensure the process was "completed safely and securely," adding there was "no reason not to proceed with the count process at this time." Investigation into Farage risks yet another election The victory by Farage showed his strong support in the Clacton area on the east coast of England but it doesn't ensure he'll be able to keep the seat. An investigation by a parliamentary watchdog that was suspended when he stepped down is likely to resume. It could lead to Farage being forced out and result in yet another election. If Farage is found to have breached Parliament's rules and forced to run again, other parties, including the governing Labour Party and the main opposition Conservative Party, are likely to enter the contest to fill the seat. Farage, who was a major player in getting Britain to vote to leave the European Union a decade ago, has had strong polling nationally though his numbers have slipped during months of scrutiny of his finances. Read more Subscribers only United Kingdom local elections: 'The entire party system has yet to recover from the fractures caused by Brexit' Parliament's standards watchdog is investigating an undeclared donation to Farage in 2024 from Christopher Harborne, a Thailand-based cryptocurrency billionaire. Farage says he didn't need to declare the money because it was a personal gift he used to fund his security and came before he was elected. However, newly elected lawmakers must declare gifts worth more than £300 ($400) received in the previous year if they are related to political activities. Meanwhile, London police have confirmed starting a investigation last year into donations to Reform before the 2024 election. UK media have reported that probe concerns undeclared financial support from longtime Farage ally and convicted fraudster George Cottrell and his mother. Farage has framed Thursday's vote as "the people of Clacton versus the Establishment," aimed at thwarting the "stitch-up" over his finances. "The people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions," he said in a video released before casting his vote. Le Monde with AP and AFP