Nigel Farage has won the Clacton by-election in Essex, returning to Parliament after resigning his seat last month amid an investigation into his finances. He secured more than 22,000 votes in a contest boycotted by Britain's main political parties, with turnout at about 44.7%.
Farage declared victory before the official results were announced, calling it a “resounding victory.” Later, he said the result was “a convincing and overwhelming win” as supporters chanted his name at a gathering in Essex. He did not attend the formal declaration of the result, saying police had warned him about an alleged campaign to disrupt the count.
Essex Police rejected that claim. The force said it had put in place a “proportionate and robust policing operation” to protect everyone involved in the count. Acting Returning Officer Ian Davidson said election officials and police had worked together to ensure the process was completed safely and securely.
Farage had triggered the by-election by resigning the parliamentary seat he had held since 2024. His decision came as a parliamentary watchdog investigated allegations that he and Reform UK's deputy leader, Richard Tice, had failed to declare financial gifts. Both men deny wrongdoing.
