New Rival to Binface and Farage Enters Clacton By-Election

By the Editorial Team · Friday, July 10, 2026

Paul Ellis, standing as the fish-themed candidate Mr Fishfinger, has entered the Clacton by-election race to challenge Nigel Farage following Farage’s resignation amid an undeclared donations investigation. With major parties boycotting the election, this contest has attracted a variety of unconventional candidates and significant grassroots support, turning it into a highly unusual and closely watched political event.

A new contender has entered the by-election race in Clacton, Essex, challenging Nigel Farage and adding a humorous twist to the contest. The candidate, known as Mr Fishfinger, aims to confront Farage, the former UKIP leader and current head of Reform UK, following Farage’s unexpected resignation as Clacton’s MP. Mr Fishfinger has dismissed Farage’s resignation as “codswallop” and introduced a manifesto featuring fish-themed policies tailored to the coastal constituency.

Mr Fishfinger, whose real name is Paul Ellis, is a 55-year-old site engineer from Doncaster. He first gained attention in 2017 by standing in a by-election for Westmorland and Lonsdale, after changing his name by deed poll. His campaign platform includes replacing Admiral Nelson’s statue in Trafalgar Square with one of Captain Birdseye, revising the national anthem to “Cod Save the King,” mandating that fish finger sandwiches contain at least four fish fingers, and providing free fishing rods to children. He hopes these proposals resonate with Clacton voters, emphasizing his connection to the sea and positioning himself as a grassroots alternative in an election that is boycotted by the major political parties.

The Clacton by-election was triggered by Farage’s resignation amid controversy over undeclared donations. Farage, who secured the seat in 2024, is under investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards regarding a £5 million donation from crypto investor Christopher Harborne. Reports have also surfaced about alleged undisclosed support from George Cottrell, a British financier previously convicted of wire fraud in the United States. Farage denies any wrongdoing and has stated that voters should be the ultimate judges of his conduct.

The race features other notable candidates, including Count Binface, an intergalactic space warrior character portrayed by Jon Harvey, animal rights advocate Rob Pownall, former actor Laurence Fox, and Howling Laud Hope, leader of the Monster Raving Loony Party. The major parties have abstained, making room for these diverse entrants.

Count Binface is drawing significant grassroots support, with a Ko-fi fundraising page reporting over 26,000 backers. Additionally, Dale Vince, an environmental entrepreneur and prominent Labour donor, has publicly pledged financial and moral support for Binface’s campaign. Vince, who has donated more than £6 million to Labour-affiliated causes since 2013, described Farage as a “very toxic person and politician” and expressed a desire to see Binface win the seat.

Farage has acknowledged that he did not expect other major parties to abstain from the contest, calling it “a real election.” Reform UK has dispatched activists to the constituency to campaign against Binface and has denied accusations that it is neglecting other electoral battles, including the Greater Manchester mayoral race. The party insists it is taking both contests seriously.

As the by-election approaches, the Clacton contest has become a colorful mix of unconventional candidates, political drama, and strategic campaigning, reflecting both local concerns and broader debates about political integrity and voter engagement.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.