Farage faces record 34 rivals in Clacton by-election after resignation as MP
Voters in Clacton, Essex, are casting ballots Thursday in a special election triggered by Nigel Farage’s resignation as a member of Parliament on July 7, a move critics called a political stunt. Farage, leader of the right-wing Reform UK party, immediately announced his intention to seek re-election, framing the contest as a referendum between “the people and the establishment.”
No candidates from Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Green Party, or Restore Britain are on the ballot, leaving Farage to face a record 34 opponents, including satirical figure Count Binface, a comedian who dresses as a trash can. A national Ipsos poll found 33% of respondents would prefer Binface over Farage in a hypothetical head-to-head, with Farage at 21%, according to Keiran Pedley, Ipsos research director .
Farage’s resignation came amid a parliamentary standards investigation into a £5 million gift from British-Thai crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, which Farage claimed was a personal reward for his Brexit campaigning and used for security. The probe, led by Parliament’s Standards Commissioner Daniel Greenberg, began in May and focuses on undeclared donations to Farage and other Reform UK officials .
Reform UK, originally the Brexit Party, won its first parliamentary seats in 2024 and currently holds seven in the House of Commons. The party has led or placed second in recent polls, though its support has dipped since December 2025, with Labour at 25%, Reform UK at 24%, and the Conservatives at 19% as of Aug. 7, according to Politico .
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the by-election, stating it “should not be allowed to take place” and accusing Farage of sparking “political rage.” Farage, a former UKIP leader and long-time Brexit advocate, has positioned himself as a local champion in Clacton, a seaside town where his campaign ads blend anti-establishment rhetoric with local issues .
In Germany, the far-right AfD leads polls ahead of the Saxony-Anhalt state election, despite a lower campaign budget than the governing SPD. AfD’s Björn Höcke publicly invited Sahra Wagenknecht, leader of the BSW party, to become minister-president in Thuringia, signaling potential cooperation between the two parties .
Follow us for live European news
- 3
- 3
- 2
- 2
- 2
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
4 further sources not geolocated
Articles
Can Edek find a reason to exist? Four candidates will be standing in the elections of the leadership of Edek on September 5. The elections were made necessary by the resignation of party leader Nicos Anastasiou, after the humiliating showing in last Mays parliamentary election, in which Edek, for the first time in its history, failed to win a single seat. Anastasiou […]
cyprus mail · about 1 hour ago
Absurd Blockade: Fresh Parliamentary Deadlock Pushes Kosovo Back Into Crisis Mode Kosovos MPs have failed for weeks to elect new leadership, creating a fresh institutional logjam that could trigger a fourth election in less than two years.
balkaninsight · about 2 hours ago
Germany: Friedrich Merzs political isolation raises doubts over his lasting ability to persuade The German chancellor, who finds himself increasingly isolated, even within his own party, repeatedly makes missteps and fails to set a clear political course for Germany, laments Franco-German author Nils Minkmar in this opinion piece for Le Monde.
le monde · about 2 hours ago
Farage hopes to return to UK parliament as Clacton votes on his future
news.yahoo.com · about 2 hours ago
Farage vs Count Binface: Everything you need to know about Clactons surreal byelection Nigel Farage called the election as he faced a watchdogs probe, leading other mainstream parties to boycott the vote.
thejournal · about 2 hours ago
Election présidentielle en Zambie : Hichilema prêt à rempiler pour un second mandat Le président sortant a redressé les finances du pays sans que lamélioration économique soit notable dans le quotidien des Zambiens. Il vise toutefois une réélection dès le premier tour, ce jeudi.
liberation · about 2 hours ago
Zambia heads to polls with President Hichilema expected to win second term Zambians vote Thursday in a general election widely expected to give President Hakainde Hichilema a second term, as his economic record faces a test from voters frustrated by the cost of living and opposition parties seek to capitalise on discontent despite deep divisions.
france24 · about 2 hours ago
„Ich reiche Ihnen die Hand: Höcke will Wagenknecht zur Ministerpräsidentin in Thüringen machen Thüringens AfD-Chef Björn Höcke fordert Sahra Wagenknecht in einem Video auf, Ministerpräsidentin in Thüringen zu werden. Was steckt hinter dem Angebot der AfD?
tagesspiegel · about 2 hours ago
Canada among leaders in number and quality of sanctions decisions — Vlasiuk Canada is among the leaders in terms of both the quality and quantity of sanctions decisions it is working on.
ukrinform · about 2 hours ago
Wahl in Sambia: Wenig „Salz für die Demokratie Sambia wurde als demokratisches Vorzeigeland gefeiert. Doch vor der Wahl am Donnerstag setzt der einstige Hoffnungsträger und jetzige Präsident Hichilema selbst Mittel ein, gegen die er als Oppositionspolitiker protestiert hatte.
faz · about 2 hours ago
Pardubické novinky - Domácí - Baka v čele Maďarska je symbolem změny i testem vlády Tiszy
gdelt bot · about 2 hours ago
Nigel Farage faces off against Count Binface in special election that been denounced as a stunt – Winnipeg Free Press
gdelt bot · about 2 hours ago
New 2028 presidential frontrunner has emerged on a key prediction market site Democrats are still reeling from the 2024 election, where Harris replaced President Joe Biden in the late stages of the race and lost to Donald Trump
independent · about 3 hours ago
Elections au Royaume-Uni : dans la ville paupérisée de Clacton-on-Sea, «grâce à Nigel Farage, on parle de nous» Le leader britannique dextrême droite a provoqué un scrutin partiel en démissionnant de son mandat de député, avant de se représenter aussitôt. Dans la station balnéaire pauvre à la population vieillissante, devenue son fief, il espère être réélu en majesté ce jeudi.
liberation · about 3 hours ago
Shock Wisconsin vote triggers doubt over US election polling Structural problems in political forecasting resurface just months ahead of Novembers midterms
financial times · about 3 hours ago
What to Know About Thursdays Special Election in Clacton: Farage vs. Binface Nigel Farage, the right-wing populist leader, forced a by-election in his parliamentary seat of Clacton after he came under pressure over his financial declarations.
new york times · about 3 hours ago
Farages Showdown mit „Count Binface Am Donnerstag findet im Wahlkreis Clacton die vermutlich kurioseste Nachwahl der britischen Geschichte statt: Rechtspopulist Nigel Farage hatte die Wahl nach Vorwürfen von dubiosen Parteispenden vom Zaun gebrochen, um sich „gegen das Establishment wiederwählen zu lassen. Doch alle anderen Parteien ließen ins Leere laufen. Nun tritt er gegen ein Rekordfeld von Unbekannten an – mit dem Spaßkandidaten „Count Binface als größtem Konkurrenten.
orf.at · about 3 hours ago
Royaume-Uni : aux élections de Clacton-on-Sea, «le comte à tête de poubelle» rejoue les agitateurs face à Farage Malgré ses faibles chances de succès lors du scrutin législatif de ce jeudi 13 août, Count Binface, candidat satirique au look spatial, sest imposé comme favori des anti-Farage, avec son programme ridiculisant lextrême droite. Et sinscrit dans une longue tradition britannique.
liberation · about 4 hours ago
Machthaber: Javier Milei Wer regiert die Welt – und was treibt sie an? In unserem regelmäßigen Machthaber-Spezial geht es um die mächtigsten und umstrittensten Politikerinnen und Politiker unserer Zeit. Wir zeigen, wie sie denken, entscheiden – und was das für uns bedeutet. Eine Politikerin oder Politiker, ein Blick hinter die Kulissen der Macht. Das Berlin Playbook als Podcast […]
politico.eu · about 4 hours ago
Las elecciones forzadas de Clacton: "Nigel Farage es el mejor. Hay que expulsar a los extranjeros" El líder de Reform UK busca la aclamación popular en el sufragio especial de hoy, que el mismo provocó al dimitir como diputado, y entre acusaciones de corrupción Leer
elmundo · about 4 hours ago
In Italy, Ukraine aid could become a key electoral issue With elections scheduled for 2027, calls to cut off aid to the country under attack are gaining traction both on the far right and among the opposition.
le monde · about 4 hours ago
UK Conservatives and far - right Reform united kingdom pledge mass eviction of foreign nationals from social housing
gdelt bot · about 5 hours ago
Left Party leader offers a prop for Germany Christian Democrats
gdelt bot · about 5 hours ago
Why House Dems may go easy on one of GOPs most vulnerable members Rep. Mike Lawlers (R-N.Y.) fight to hold on to a key battleground seat is getting a behind-the-scenes assist — for now, at least — from an unlikely group: House Democrats.Why it matters: Kamala Harris carried Lawlers district in 2024, but some Democrats are privately wary of spending the small fortune it would take to oust one of the GOPs most bipartisan — and electorally savvy — members. "If youre going to have a Republican, its the kind of Republican we want in the Congress," a Democratic source told Axios of Lawler, also noting that the New York City area is the nations most expensive media market.A senior House Democrat told Axios: "I dont think Lawler is beatable."State of play: Republicans are outspending Democrats more than 40 to 1 on current and future ad reservations in New Yorks 17th District, according to ad tracking firm AdImpact.The House Republican leadership–aligned super PAC Congressional Leadership Fund has a whopping $6.7 million reserved in the district.That is on top of $2.8 million from the Lawler campaign and $2.1 million from outside GOP group Americans for Open Government.Democratic leadership–aligned nonprofit House Majority Forward is the only group with ad reservations in the district, at just $270,000 reserved.Yes, but: Democrats insist their lack of ad reservations is simply a result of the New York media market being so costly that there is no value in reserving TV time early there compared with states like Iowa."NY-17 is one of the best flip opportunities on the map, and Mike Lawler is down in polling — HMP is going to do whatever it takes to flip this seat," CJ Warnke, a spokesperson for the HMFs political arm, House Majority PAC, told Axios.Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Riya Vashi pointed to an alleged GOP shell PAC spending $1.5 million in a failed attempt to stop Cait Conley from becoming the Democratic nominee as evidence they are "clearly scared."Vashi noted that the DCCC put Conley, a U.S. Army veteran, on its coveted "Red to Blue" list and said the group will "continue our efforts to fire Mike Lawler and elect Cait every day leading up to November."Zoom out: Lawlers Hudson Valley district has long been viewed as one of Democrats best pickup opportunities — and one of the races most likely to decide control of the House.Democrats need a net gain of just three seats to reclaim the majority.Harris carried Lawlers district by half a percentage point in 2024, making it the most Democratic-leaning seat in which a House Republican is running for reelection.Between the lines: One estimate shared with Axios found that the money needed to compete seriously in NY-17 could instead fund television advertising across 11 toss-up House districts.The only other truly vulnerable GOP incumbent in the NYC media market besides Lawler is Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.), and Democrats wouldnt get much bang for their buck spending there.Said the Democratic source: "If you can pick up five people for the cost of one person, wouldnt you just go after the five people?"The intrigue: A former House Republican familiar with the dynamic between Lawler and Democratic leadership expressed skepticism that Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) will ultimately lay off Lawler through Election Day. The tensions between Lawler and Jeffries spilled into the open last year when Lawler waited outside the Democratic leaders press conference and the two engaged in a shouting match over the ongoing government shutdown.The DCCC and House Majority PAC will "absolutely" spend in the district because "Schumer and Jeffries hate him," the former lawmaker predicted, adding that Lawler "will still win."A second senior House Democrat, asked if Jeffries hates Lawler, told Axios: "Correct."The bottom line: Lawler is one of the Republicans with the most Democratic fans, but hes still a Republican standing between them and the House majority.
axios · about 5 hours ago
Nigel Farage paints himself as local hero in fight to win Clacton Analysis of Reform UKs online ads in Clacton by-election reveal a mix of anti-establishment rhetoric and more prosaic matters.
politico.eu · about 5 hours ago
Paet: Parties should nominate experienced politicians for president - The Baltic Times TALLINN – Urmas Paet, Vice-Chair of the European Parliaments Committee on Foreign Affairs, believes that presidential candidates shou......
baltic times · about 5 hours ago
Martin Helme: Presidential election issue becoming increasingly embarrassing - The Baltic Times TALLINN - The issue of the presidential election is becoming increasingly embarrassing, according to Martin Helme, chairman of the Conservative ......
baltic times · about 5 hours ago
Zambians head to the polls on Aug. 13 for an election that will test President Hakainde Hichilemas economic policies amid intense rivalry between the United States and China over the countrys critical minerals. foreignpolicy.com/2026/08/12/z...
bluesky_Foreign Policy · about 6 hours ago
New MPs to roll sleeves up come September The new parliament that emerged from Mays elections has a demanding legislative agenda ahead of it when the session reopens at the beginning of September, with important bills and proposed legislation to be discussed and decided on. These include judicial reforms, strengthening the anti-corruption authority, changes to the monetary system, promoting renewable energy sources, new […]
cyprus mail · about 6 hours ago
How Nigel Farage Ended Up Running Against Count Binface in Clacton Nigel Farage forced a new election in his parliamentary seat after coming under pressure over his finances. His main challenger is Count Binface, a novelty candidate.
new york times · about 6 hours ago