Nigel Farage’s gamble to force a by-election in Clacton appears to be backfiring, with a new poll showing British voters would rather see Count Binface – a comedian who wears a bin on his head and has pledged to “nationalise Adele” – defeat the Reform UK leader.
The Ipsos survey, released as the by-election was confirmed for 13 August, found that 33% of British adults would prefer Count Binface to win, against only 21% who back Farage. A further 32% said they would not want either to prevail.
“Poll shows 33% back Count Binface over Nigel Farage in Clacton by-election as Reform leader faces investigation.”
The contest was triggered after Farage stood down as MP, promising to reclaim his seat in what he called a challenge to the political establishment. But all three main Westminster parties are boycotting the vote, branding it a stunt. That leaves the satirical Count Binface as Farage’s highest-profile opponent, alongside actor Laurence Fox and several local residents.
“Of course, it is the people of Clacton that will vote in the upcoming by-election and not the public overall,” said Keiran Pedley, research director at Ipsos in the UK. “But 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.”
Farage’s decision to force a contest followed persistent questions about a £5m donation he received from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne and gifts from a convicted criminal, George Cottrell. He denies any wrongdoing. But the parliamentary standards commissioner, Daniel Greenberg, is already investigating whether Farage failed to declare the money, which he claims was a “gift”, after becoming an MP in 2024.
The Ipsos poll found that 74% of voters believe the commissioner should be investigating whether Farage broke parliamentary rules, and 73% say the probe should continue even if he wins the by-election.
Acting returning officer Ian Davidson urged residents to register by 28 July and ensure they have valid ID. “If residents want to have their democratic say then they must be registered,” he said. Nominations open on Monday with a deadline of 17 July.
Writing in UnHerd, a commentator who has known Farage for 30 years warned that winning the by-election would not make the investigation disappear: “Assuming he wins… the investigation… will resume the day he returns to Westminster.” If Farage is suspended for 10 days or more, his constituents could launch a recall petition – and this time, the main parties have indicated they would contest the resulting by-election.
