Farage's rivals rule out standing in Clacton by-election
Comedian Jon Harvey, who regularly runs in by-elections under the pseudonym Count Binface, has confirmed he will run. The by-election would, he said, be "a chance to stick two fingers up to the entire establishment to frankly tell them where to go".Reform sources have said they want the election to take place quickly and under parliamentary rules it could be scheduled as early as August. Asked as he left his party's offices if he was staging a stunt, Farage said: "Oh, it's a big gamble."Farage has said that his party has offered to cover the cost of the by-election, which is normally paid for from central government funds.
- ▪Comedian Jon Harvey, who regularly runs in by-elections under the pseudonym Count Binface, has confirmed he will run.
- ▪The by-election would, he said, be "a chance to stick two fingers up to the entire establishment to frankly tell them where to go".Reform sources have said they want the election to take place quickly and under parliamentary rules it could
- ▪Asked as he left his party's offices if he was staging a stunt, Farage said: "Oh, it's a big gamble."Farage has said that his party has offered to cover the cost of the by-election, which is normally paid for from central government funds.
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Farage's rivals rule out standing in Clacton by-election Image source, Getty ImagesByKate WhannelPolitical reporterPublished8 July 2026, 00:04 BSTUpdated 17 minutes agoLabour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and Restore Britain have all ruled out contesting the Clacton by-election triggered by the resignation of Nigel Farage.The Reform UK leader said that, having announced his resignation, he would re-fight the Essex seat in what he billed as a "people versus the establishment" by-election.Facing increasing scrutiny over his finances and a parliamentary investigation, Farage said the "people of Clacton should be the judge of my actions".Labelling the election a "circus", Labour accused Farage of "desperately trying to change the subject"."It's pathetic, and the…
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