Nigel Farage resigned as MP for Clacton-on-Sea on July 8, 2026, triggering a by-election scheduled for August 13. He plans to stand again, but the major political parties have declined to field candidates. Instead, a motley crew of novelty contenders has emerged, including Count Binface, a man dressed as a fox, and the Monster Raving Loony Party leader.
Nigel Farage's resignation and scandals
Farage stepped down amid a series of financial scandals. Concerns were raised over a £5,000,000 financial 'gift' from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne in January 2024 that Farage allegedly did not declare. He also faced criticism for his links to convicted fraudster George Cottrell, with the Metropolitan Police investigating a donation allegedly given to Reform UK by Cottrell's mother weeks before the 2024 general election.
In his resignation announcement, Farage said: 'I've thought about it hard, and I've decided today I will resign as a member of parliament for Clacton-on-Sea, thereby forcing a by-election which should happen, I think, in short order.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responded: 'This is a desperate stunt from Nigel Farage and it's obvious why he's doing it — he is up to his neck in sleaze.'
Count Binface: the intergalactic space warrior
Count Binface, an 'intergalactic space warrior' played by Oxford-educated comedian Jon Harvey, has run in several elections. He stood against Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election, winning 0.2% of the vote. Bookmaker William Hill gave 4/1 odds for Binface to win in Clacton. His policies include nationalising Adele, capping 99 Flake ice creams at 99p, and becoming the UK's Eurovision entry. If elected, he would be the first novelty candidate to win a parliamentary seat, though he would be banned from wearing his bin costume in the Commons.
Human fox: Rob Pownall
Wildlife campaigner Rob Pownall, 27, will stand in a fox costume to protest Farage's record on animal welfare and hunting. Pownall previously stood against Andy Burnham in Makerfield and as a giant gannet in the Scottish Parliament election to protest the 'Guga hunt'. He said: 'The storyline of this by-election is one of the most famous politicians of a generation standing for parliament against a man with a bin on his head. Now he is going to have to do the same with a man in a fox costume. It is funny and silly. But the difference between me and Count Binface is there is a serious cause behind what I am doing.'
Howling Laud Hope: Monster Raving Loony Party
Howling Laud Hope, leader of the Monster Raving Loony Party, is standing for the 38th time. He wants to turn Clacton into a British Disneyland, saying: 'Clacton will be the place to build it. Everybody will be making money. Clacton will be back to its glory days.' He has a rivalry with Count Binface, stating: 'I keep telling him, look, we are going to rule the loony-verse, not you.'
Impact and significance
Farage's by-election is widely seen as a stunt to deflect from scandals. The absence of major party candidates means the contest is dominated by fringe figures, but Farage is expected to win. The outcome could affect Reform UK's credibility and Farage's political future.
