Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, has been re-elected as the Member of Parliament for Clacton, UK, following a by-election held on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The by-election was prompted by Farage’s resignation from the seat last month amidst a parliamentary investigation into an alleged undeclared £5 million gift.
ABC News reported on the by-election win, which saw Farage secure 22,239 votes, representing approximately 62% to 63% of the total votes cast. The turnout for the election was around 44%.
Farage triggered the by-election, stating he wanted the voters of Clacton to judge his actions rather than parliamentary authorities or the press, describing it as a “people versus the establishment” contest. The parliamentary standards commissioner had opened an investigation in May into a £5 million gift Farage received from cryptocurrency tycoon Christopher Harborne before he was elected in 2024, which he allegedly failed to declare within the required timeframe. Under Commons rules, new MPs must register gifts over £300 received in the preceding 12 months within one month of taking office. Farage has denied any wrongdoing, asserting the payment was a personal gift for security and not related to his political activities. His resignation paused the inquiry, but it is expected to resume now that he has been re-elected.
The Clacton by-election was notable for a record-breaking 34 candidates, though all major Westminster parties, including the Conservatives, Labour, and Liberal Democrats, opted not to field candidates. These parties largely dismissed the by-election as a “stunt”. Comedian Count Binface emerged as Farage’s closest challenger, securing 9,455 votes, or 27% of the total.
Adding to the unusual nature of the event, Farage did not attend the declaration of the results. He claimed Essex Police had advised him of an “organised campaign to disrupt and degrade the result” or a “credible threat”. However, Essex Police stated they did not advise any candidate against attending the count and maintained a “proportionate and robust policing operation” to ensure safety. Farage told supporters he was “damned if I am going to stand on a stage, having won a resounding victory… and be demeaned and humiliated by nobodies”.
The by-election is estimated to have cost taxpayers approximately £250,000. With Farage’s return to Parliament, the investigation into his financial declarations is set to continue.