London (PA Media/dpa) - Tens of thousands of voters are heading to the polls Thursday in a special election in a small seaside resort just outside London that will pit a potential candidate to be the next UK prime minister against a collection of independents, jokers and single-issue candidates, led by a man who wears a trash can on his head.

That's not what Nigel Farage, the man who arguably did more than anyone to get Britain to vote to leave the European Union a decade ago, intended when he triggered Thursday’s special election in Clacton by quitting his seat in the House of Commons last month. When doing so, he expected to run again against candidates from Britain's main political parties, including the governing Labour Party and the main opposition Conservative Party.

The main Westminster parties are boycotting the Clacton by-election, dismissing it as a stunt by the Reform UK leader, but a record 34 candidates are standing.

Farage wanted it to be a "people versus the establishment" showdown but he is now facing opponents including satirical candidate Count Binface, actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox, three from the Official Monster Raving Loony Party and an array of independents.

A novelty with a price tag

The contest is estimated to cost taxpayers around £250,000 ($337,000) and the 90cm-long ballot paper has also caused logistical problems for Tendring District Council and returning officer Ian Davidson.

The size of the ballot paper means larger tables than usual will be required at the count and the result will be announced on the floor of Clacton Leisure Centre rather than on a stage due to the number of candidates who would have to fit on it.

Turnout is widely expected to be low for a variety of reasons. For one, turnout is usually lower at special elections rather than at general elections. In the July 2024 general election, Farage faced eight rivals and garnered 21,225 votes, or 46.2% of the total. Turnout was 58.7%.

This election is taking place in the midst of the summer holidays when thousands of voters will be far away from Clacton. It's also taking place during another U.K. heatwave, which could prompt many to opt against making the trip to the polling station as they seek sanctuary from temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit).

Pressekonferenz von Reform UK — Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, speaks during a press conference in Westminster on 10 August 2026.(Photo: Thomas Krych/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)(c) ZUMA Press Wire

Investigation into gifts

Farage was being investigated by the parliamentary standards commissioner Daniel Greenberg over a £5 million gift from cryptocurrency tycoon Christopher Harborne, which he received before taking his seat in the Commons.

Under the Commons' rules, new MPs are required to register any gifts worth more than £300 they received in the previous 12 months, except where the gift "could not be reasonably thought by others" to relate to their political activities.

That investigation was paused when Farage resigned his seat, but will resume if he wins the by-election - as bookmakers have made him the firm favourite to do. When he stood down on July 7, he described the scrutiny as an “establishment hit job” and a media-driven “witch-hunt.”

Farage could also face an investigation over support provided by George Cottrell, a long-term ally.

Cottrell reportedly recruited and paid three staff to work on Farage's social media before the general election, and has continued to allow him to use a five-storey Georgian property he rented near Buckingham Palace.

Farage said: "At the beginning of summer we called this by-election to give the people of Clacton the chance to have their say on the endless political attacks on me, my family and those around me.

"It's given us the opportunity to knock on tens of thousands of doors, making the affirmative case for what I've done for the area, and what Reform will do for Britain."

He said "it's not just about me, it's about the people versus the establishment" and the vote "is our chance to send a stunning message to the political class: Britain needs Reform, Britain wants Reform, and Britain demands a general election".

The main Westminster parties refused to take part in this contest but could stand if the outcome of the standards investigation into Farage results in another by-election.

If he is found to have broken the rules and a suspension of more than 10 days is imposed, it could trigger a recall petition and the prospect of Farage losing his seat, forcing a second contest.

In the 2024 general election, Farage won Clacton with 46.2% of the vote and a majority of 8,405 over his Conservative rival.

Author: georgakos.daniel

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