Nick Farage defeats Count Binface in UK by-election

British politician Nigel Farage has regained his parliamentary seat in a by-election boycotted by the two main parties and in which his closest challenger was Count Binface, a man wearing a bin on his head.

Farage won Thursday’s vote with 22,239 votes, amounting to 63.3% of the vote.

Satirical candidate Count Binface came second with 9,455 votes, securing 26.9%, or more than one in four votes cast.

Turnout stood at 44.4%, down from 58.7% at the 2024 general election, when Farage first won the seat.

The election was triggered following Farage's own resignation from his position as MP after becoming embroiled in a parliamentary standards investigation. The central concern was a £5 million “gift” from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne received before the 2024 election.

Parliamentary authorities are questioning whether Farage should have declared the £5 million under regulations on MP’s financial interests.

While Farage acknowledged receiving the money, he insists it was a personal gift rather than something requiring declaration, painting the investigation as an attempt to damage his political reputation.

Rather than allowing the parliamentary process to run its course, Farage gave up his seat in July thereby triggering a by-election in Clacton. With the vacant seat now open, Farage stood for it himself.

He argued that it should be the voters of Clacton, rather than parliamentary authorities, who should judge his conduct.

The Labour and Conservative parties refused to participate in the by-election and declined to field candidates, describing Farage’s resignation as a publicity stunt they would not take part in.

So, Count Binface, a comedian dressed as an intergalactic rubbish bin, stepped in as Farage’s main opponent.

Count Binface’s electoral manifesto included proposals such as ensuring that the 99 Flake costs no less than 99 pence, to build “at least one affordable house,” and making oil and gas companies pay for solar panels for everyone.

Count Binface's electoral proposals (Photo: X)

Taking a couple direct digs at Farage, Count Binface also proposed that MPs who resign halfway through a legislature to be banned from contesting the by-election their resignation triggers. He also promised the people of Clacton that he would never accept £5 million gifts from cryptocurrency billionaires (on Earth).

After the main parties withdrew from the by-election, 34 candidates decided to run for the parliamentary seat. The candidates included Count Binface, other independent candidates, and three Monster Raving Loony Party candidates named Howling Laud Hope, Baron Von Thunderclap, and Nick the Incredible Flying Brick.

Farage himself decided not to appear for the declaration of the result after claiming that police warned him about plans to disrupt the event and have his victory “demeaned.”

On the other hand, Count Binface attended the count.

Now back in Parliament, Farage will once again face the standards investigation that set the by-election in motion.