The public back Binface but Farage only likely to extend his majority as Clacton goes to the polls in farcical by-election that sees 34 on the ballot sheet

By SOPHIE CHURCH - POLITICAL REPORTER Published: 22:00, 12 August 2026 | Updated: 22:26, 12 August 2026 The public are rooting for Count Binface to beat Nigel Farage in Thursday's by-election in Clacton, recent survey results reveal. As the people of Clacton head to the polls, 37 per cent of Britons want joke candidate Count Binface to be elected its MP – with just 32 per cent backing Mr Farage. But the Reform leader – who resigned as MP in July in protest at his treatment over his tax affairs – is overwhelmingly the bookies' favourite to win again in Clacton, historically a stronghold for parties on the right. Ladbrokes, for instance, gives Mr Farage a 99 per cent chance of being re-elected, while betting platform Star Sports is set to pay out more than £60,000 if Count Binface wins. While over half of Labour, Lib Dems and Green voters want Count Binface to triumph in Clacton, nine in 10 Reform voters and just over half of Conservative voters are willing Mr Farage to succeed, according to the polling from research firm More in Common. And Mr Farage looks likely to extend his majority, with polling firm Survation predicting him to hoover up nearly three quarters of the vote in Clacton - despite 34 candidates standing for election. The Reform leader said on Wednesday: 'At the beginning of summer we called this by-election to give the people of Clacton the chance to have their say on the endless political attacks on me, my family, and those around me. 'It's given us the opportunity to knock on tens of thousands of doors, making the affirmative case for what I've done for the area, and what Reform will do for Britain. The public are rooting for Count Binface to beat Nigel Farage in Thursday's by-election in Clacton, recent survey results reveal The Reform leader – who resigned as MP in July in protest at his treatment over his tax affairs – is overwhelmingly the bookies' favourite to win again in Clacton 34 other candidates remain on the ballot paper for Thursday's vote – among them 'Nick the Flying Brick' and 'Baron von Thunderclap' representing the Official Monster Raving Loony Party, and 'Woke Trump Carrzee' standing as an Independent 'But it's not just about me, it's about the people versus the establishment, and tomorrow is our chance to send a stunning message to the political class: Britain needs Reform, Britain wants Reform, and Britain demands a general election.' Mr Farage previously suggested victory in Clacton would see Reform unseating Tory leader Kemi Badenoch as well as 'half the shadow cabinet' in Essex when the nation next votes. He told The Telegraph: 'I believe we can replicate this level of support across Essex and that has very deep ramifications.' 'We are going to pump big resources into Essex because we see it as very winnable. 'That's half the shadow Cabinet who will lose their seats, including Kemi. I really believe that.' More in Common's director Luke Tryl said on Wednesday: 'Binface is very unlikely to win tomorrow. 'But the risk to Reform is that people switch off altogether and turnout hits a record low – an outcome that could be an embarrassing one for Farage.' He added voters in Clacton feel Count Binface is 'making a mockery of the contest', explaining: 'In our focus groups on the ground we have heard from countless locals who described the by-election as a farce, and leave people – and particularly young voters casting their first ballot – feeling disparaged.' The Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems and Greens all decided to not stand candidates in response to Mr Farage triggering the by-election, with Mrs Badenoch branding the contest 'fake'. But 34 candidates remain on the ballot paper for Thursday's vote – among them 'Nick the Flying Brick' and 'Baron von Thunderclap' representing the Official Monster Raving Loony Party, and 'Woke Trump Carrzee' standing as an Independent. Count Binface did not respond to a request for comment.