'Where's Binface?' Why voters in Clacton are out for the count

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Nigel Farage resigned from his parliamentary seat amid controversy over undeclared financial gifts, prompting a by-election in Clacton scheduled for August 13 where he is the clear frontrunner against independents and satirical candidate Count Binface. The election has drawn low voter engagement and limited participation from major candidates, raising concerns about democratic seriousness in the race.

In the Essex town of Clacton, candidates vying for the upcoming parliamentary by-election continued their campaign efforts amid a notably low-key atmosphere and limited engagement from some frontrunners. The by-election, set for 13 August, was triggered by the resignation of Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK and former Brexit Party head, amid scrutiny over his financial declarations.

At a midday hustings event in Clacton’s town square, independent candidates Attieh Fard and Andy Erlam sought to connect with voters, though attendance was sparse. Both candidates have committed to holding daily hustings until polling day. Farage and comedian Jonathan Harvey, who runs as the novelty candidate Count Binface, did not attend and have not responded to invitations to participate in the public debates.

Farage’s resignation followed pressure over whether he appropriately declared a £5 million gift from a cryptocurrency billionaire before his election. Instead of allowing parliamentary authorities to rule on the matter, he stepped down and asked constituents to decide his political fate in the by-election. All major political parties have chosen not to field candidates, leaving the race primarily between Farage, Binface, and several independents.

Recent polling by Survation for Mandate Research indicates Farage is the clear favorite, projected to secure 73% of the vote, although turnout is expected to be low. Meanwhile, around 20% of respondents expressed support for Count Binface, a satirical candidate who portrays himself as a space lord.

Fard, a former Conservative and a practising lawyer, described the election as a serious matter for Clacton residents and criticised the lack of official hustings organised by the local council or community groups. “Our democratic system should not be made into a joke or used in this way,” she said. Erlam, who formerly advised a Labour cabinet minister, echoed concerns about the symbolic nature of Binface’s candidacy, urging voters to avoid supporting a comedic option in what he described as a demanding political environment.

During the hustings, some local spectators voiced support for Fard. One attendee, 62-year-old Roy Andrews, said he had decided to vote this time, citing Far and dismissing Binface’s candidacy as unserious.

Farage’s absence from local campaign events was partly attributed to a scheduling conflict. On the day of the hustings, he was in London announcing plans to use Royal Navy vessels to return individuals attempting to cross the English Channel to France. He has generally maintained a low profile during the campaign and has not engaged directly in debates with other candidates.

Count Binface issued a statement apologising for missing the hustings, explaining the invitation had been overlooked due to a backlog of correspondence. He confirmed recent visits to Clacton and its neighbouring town Frinton, expressing an intention to increase his engagement with local voters before the election.

Despite the lack of participation from Farage and Binface at public events, the independent candidates will continue to hold daily hustings. However, the election atmosphere in Clacton remains subdued, with many residents appearing more focused on summer leisure activities than the unfolding political contest.

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.