Britain would rather see a man in a bin win the Clacton by-election than Nigel Farage, a new Ipsos poll has revealed – as the Reform UK leader faces a farcical contest boycotted by all major parties.
The poll of British adults found 33% would prefer Count Binface – an “independent space warrior” who wears a bin on his head and has pledged to “nationalise Adele” – to claim victory on 13 August, while only 21% backed Farage. Another 32% wanted neither to win. The findings come after bookmakers William Hill slashed odds to 4/1 for Binface to become Clacton’s next MP.
“Ipsos poll: 33% of Britons prefer Count Binface to win Clacton by-election, while only 21% back Nigel Farage.”
Farage triggered the by-election by resigning from the seat he held for two years, vowing to stand again and “stick two fingers up to the entire establishment”. His decision followed questions over a £5m gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, which he allegedly failed to declare, and links to convicted fraudster George Cottrell. The Metropolitan Police are investigating a donation from Cottrell’s mother, and the parliamentary standards commissioner, Daniel Greenberg, is examining whether Farage broke Commons rules.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the move as “a desperate stunt” and said: “He is up to his neck in sleaze.” Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Greens and Restore Britain have all refused to stand, leaving the comedian Count Binface as the highest-profile opponent alongside actor and activist Laurence Fox and several local residents.
Farage has denied wrongdoing and angrily confronted a Sky News journalist at an airport, accusing the broadcaster of harassing his family. Sky News denies the allegation.
Keiran Pedley, research director at Ipsos, said: “The fact that just one in five Britons would prefer Nigel Farage win reflects how his personal poll ratings have fallen over the past year – even if Reform supporters remain very much behind him.” The poll also found 74% of voters believe Greenberg should investigate Farage, and 73% think the probe should continue even if he wins the by-election.
Acting returning officer Ian Davidson urged residents to register by 28 July, warning: “If residents want to have their democratic say then they must be registered.” Nominations close on 17 July.
Should Farage win and then be suspended from Parliament for 10 days or more over the financial allegations, his constituents could trigger a recall petition, forcing a second by-election – one that the main parties have indicated they would contest.
