Nigel Farage's supporters in Clacton-on-Sea have shared their joy at him being re-elected as their local MP. The Reform UK leader secured 22,239 votes in the by-election he triggered by resigning in July, beating the almost 9,455 for second-placed Count Binface. It was the culmination of a showdown in the Clacton seat, which was boycotted by the other major British parties.
Farage won more votes than he did when those parties stood against him at the 2024 general election, when he got 21,225 on a much higher turnout of 58%, compared to 44% on Thursday. However, a parliamentary investigation into Farage, who resigned the seat amid a row over his financial support, will now continue. The BBC has conducted a straw poll of voters in the seaside town, who have woken to find Farage is still their MP.
"I think the other parties were cowards not to stand," said Mary Williams, who travelled to Clacton from Wales to support Farage. "They've tried to make it into a circus. They're all absolutely convinced he's going to be found guilty of something." Pressure on Farage intensified after the Sunday Times reported he had not declared benefits, including staff and security, supplied with help from his long-term ally George Cottrell.
He has also faced questions about a £5m gift from cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne in early 2024, which he did not register. I'm really concerned because I think Nigel Farage is the only answer, the only hope we've got in Great Britain," Williams added. Jenny Hopkins, who made the trip to Clacton from Gloucestershire, said she was "delighted, absolutely thrilled" with the result.
"The fuss they've made about this so-called donation, gift or whatever it is - I think it is ridiculous," she said. "This has proved the people of Clacton want Nigel Farage. However many by-elections they have, I think he'll win." It was a "good result for Nigel", said Zak Apsey, but "it shouldn't really have needed to happen".
He argued the investigation into Farage was "not a big deal". The Reform leader did not attend the result declaration, with his party saying the police had advised against it. However, the BBC understands this was not the case.
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