Nigel Farage set for decisive but arguably empty victory in Clacton

Count Binface graffiti seen on Clacton pier on 13 August. Photograph: Ben Montgomery/ View image in fullscreen Count Binface graffiti seen on Clacton pier on 13 August. Photograph: Ben Montgomery/ Nigel Farage set for decisive but arguably empty victory in Clacton Leader of Reform UK on course to defeat Count Binface and an assortment of fringe candidates as polls close in Essex Voting has closed in one of the UK’s more unusual and least tense byelections, with Nigel Farage set for a decisive if arguably empty victory against dozens of independent, fringe, extreme or otherwise oddball opponents. The Reform UK leader sought re-election to his Clacton seat in early July in an attempt to regain the political initiative following weeks of scrutiny over gifts he received and other aspects of his financial affairs. He framed the byelection as a chance for local voters to show their disdain for mainstream politics in a “people versus the establishment” contest, but was caught out after all the other main parties declined to stand candidates. Farage, 62, was instead left competing against a vast if decidedly niche field of 33 other hopefuls, including 20 independents, several representatives from tiny parties and no fewer than three candidates from the Official Monster Raving Loony party. The result, due to be announced from around 6am on Friday, will inevitably be a clear Farage win, with the only question being his margin of victory over Count Binface, the self-styled campaigning alien who is the most prominent of his opponents. View image in fullscreen Nigel Farage poses with a pint in a Clacton pub beer garden. Photograph: Victoria Jones/ShutterstockWhile Reform will necessarily style the result as a clear endorsement of Farage’s record in the Essex seat, and of his tactic in calling the byelection, opponents will seize on any signs of a lower-than-expected majority or a slim turnout. Farage is being investigated , including a £5m gift from the crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, first revealed . The process was paused when he resigned as an MP, but will resume once he is re-elected. If he is found to have breached declaration rules and suspended from the House of Commons, this could trigger a second byelection, which the other main parties would contest. While Farage insists he has relished a summer of knocking on doors in his constituency, he has been less visible on the national political stage – in part because of rules connected to how broadcasters must ensure balance during elections.