The curtain came down last week on the summer sideshow of the Clacton byelection, called by Nigel Farage amid mounting scrutiny of his finances. For the big story in the 21 August edition of the Guardian Weekly, Daniel Boffey explores what this campaign – in which the Reform UK leader's main challenger was a parody candidate called Count Binface – tells us about the current state of politics in Britain.
Farage's win and revived investigation
Farage's byelection win brought the situation full circle as, shortly after he was declared victor, parliament's standards watchdog announced it had reopened its investigation into him, report Rowena Mason and Peter Walker. Analysing the result, political correspondent Alexandra Topping brands the contest futile and says that while Farage aimed to make the financial questions surrounding him disappear, it was the MP himself who has been absent from the political stage over the past few weeks.
Russia's scramble for soldiers
As battlefield losses mount, Pjotr Sauer asks whether Vladimir Putin will order another mobilisation. The cover of the 21 August edition of the Guardian Weekly magazine, illustrated by Neil Jamieson, highlights this and other key stories. A billboard promoting contract army service in western Moscow is featured in the spotlight section.
Other essential reads in this week's edition
Science: A disease threatening bat species has spread to northern Canada. Trina Moyles reports on the race to find a cure. Feature: In 1926, Henry Ford gave his employees both Saturdays and Sundays off – and the two-day chunk of time to party, pray or simply do nothing was born. Now the weekend has changed beyond recognition, says Jess Cartner-Morley. Opinion: As chief US diplomat, Marco Rubio could do great good. But, says Simon Tisdall, his pandering and neglect are a disgrace we shouldn't ignore. Culture: As their new album is released, Sam Smith talks to Juan A Ramírez about fans, fame and finding sanctuary in New York.
Additional highlights
Other highlights from the Guardian website include an audio feature on a bestselling true crime author and the crimes he's accused of, a video on the promises the Taliban made to women then broke, and a gallery of 25 of the best images from the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, England. The Guardian Weekly magazine also features a letters page for reader submissions and editorial feedback contact information.
