NewsPoliticsNigel FarageLIVEUpdated 2 mins agoReform UK leader Nigel Farage's vanity by-election appears to have spectacularly backfired with his only major challenger being a comedian who goes by the name Count BinfaceNigel Farage has made a huge gamble (Image: Getty Images)Voters in Clacton slammed Nigel Farage's vanity by-election, branding him as "wasting money" that could set taxpayers back £200,000 all to see off a challenge from Count Binface.Farage has been an MP for just over two years but voters in Clacton will yet again head to the polls to pick between the Reform UK leader and County Binface.Some locals accused Farage's move as being a "waste of money" while complaining the hundreds and thousands it could cost for a by-election could be better spent on the area.Farage chose to stand down ahead of the conclusion into a £5 million gift he received from Thai-based billionaire and crypto investor Christopher Harborne.Fresh allegations have emerged that he did not declare benefits from convicted fraudster George Cottrell.Clacton-based bus driver Lee Sommerville, 52, slammed the alleged intentions behind Farage's massive gamble.Speaking to the Mirror, he said: "It's to delay the investigation, point blank. So, there must be obviously some truth behind what has been claimed."Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, Greens and Restore have all said they will not run candidates in this election. Farage's only true challenger is comedian Jonathan David Harvey, also known as Count Binface.View PostToday08:28 BSTFarage by-election 'face without any jokes in it,' says minister A Labour minister has had a savage dig at Nigel Farage, saying his Clacton by-election is a "face without any jokes in it".The contest is likely to be a head-to-head between the embattled Reform leader and parody candidate Count Binface after all other major parties refused to stand.Mr Farage faces an ongoing investigation by Parliament's standards commissioner over an undeclared £5m gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne.The probe is expected to resume if he returns as the constituency's MP.Trade minister Sir Chris Bryant said he suspected Mr Farage may have been given bad legal advice. And he likened him to Donald Trump, saying his antics are unlikely to impress voters.Farage's gamble could backfire(Image: AFP via Getty Images)Today08:25 BSTFarage 'trying to pretend he's Donald Trump,' minister says Nigel Farage is “trying to pretend he’s Donald Trump” but it “doesn’t wash with most ordinary members of the public,” a minister said.Asked why Labour would not stand a candidate in the Clacton by-election triggered by Mr Farage, Sir Chris Bryant said the Reform UK leader had a “hissy fit” and “I just don’t think that we should play along with that game.”He told Sky News: “I know what Nigel Farage is trying to do.“He’s trying to pretend that he’s Donald Trump, and that they’re all out to get me in for me, in for me, all of that kind of stuff.“I just don’t think it washes with most ordinary members of the public.”Today08:25 BST'I went to Clacton and discovered what residents really think about "Mini Trump" Nigel Farage'Locals in Clacton have blasted Nigel Farage for "wasting money" on a by-election which could set back the taxpayer around £200,000.Few things can steer chat away from the weather during a heatwave in a UK seaside town but Mr Farage's antics has certainly turned up the heat in his Essex constituency.Mr Farage has been an MP for just over two years but the people of Clacton could soon hit the polls again to pick between the leader of Reform UK and Count Binface - a comedian who has been the only person to announce they'll run against Farage.Some locals in Clacton accused Farage's move as being a "waste of money" while complaining the hundreds of thousands it could cost for a by-election could be better spent on the area instead.With visitors hitting the pier with ice cream dripping down their hands and tucking into fish and chips and a drink on a hot July day, it could be easy to miss Clacton-on-Sea, and the rest of Farage's Essex constituency, have been pulled into an uncertain political tussle.READ MORE: 'I went to Clacton and discovered what residents really think about "Mini Trump" Nigel Farage'Mirror reporter Elizabeta Ranxburgaj met locals to get their reaction to the Farage byelection fallout(Image: Phil Harris)‌