Twenty per cent of voters are expected to back Count Binface in the upcoming Clacton by-election, a new poll has suggested.
A poll by Survation, for Mandate Research, puts Clacton MP and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage well ahead on 73 per cent, with satirical candidate Count Binface in second place on 20 per cent.
When respondents were asked to choose between just the two main candidates, Mr Farage’s support fell to 69 per cent while Count Binface’s share rose to 31 per cent.
Farage, who won Clacton in the 2024 general election, announced on July 7 that he would resign and recontest the seat to trigger the by-election himself.
He described the move as a "people versus the establishment" vote and has positioned it as a response to what he claims has been unfair treatment by the media and parliament.
The by-election comes in the shadow of a Commons standards investigation into Mr Farage’s financial interests, including a £5million donation from billionaire cryptocurrency investor and Reform donor Christopher Harborne, which was given before he entered parliament.
He has denied any wrongdoing.
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Other political parties, including Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Greens, and Restore Britain, have decided not to contest the by-election.
They allege that Farage’s resignation and re-election campaign is intended to distract from the ongoing standards probe.
Despite the absence of mainstream party candidates, the ballot paper will be crowded.
Tendring Council has confirmed that 34 candidates have been nominated - believed to be a record for a UK parliamentary contest.
The list features 20 independents and a range of satirical and minor party entrants, including multiple Monster Raving Loony Party hopefuls.
The full list of the candidates running in the by-election can be found here.
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