UK Parties Refuse to Contest Farage’s Clacton By-election

Several major UK political parties, including Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and Restore Britain, have decided not to contest the upcoming Clacton by-election triggered by Nigel Farage’s resignation.

The Reform UK leader announced that he would resign his seat and contest the resulting by-election, describing it as a battle between “the people and the establishment”. Farage said voters in Clacton should decide the outcome amid growing scrutiny over his finances and a parliamentary standards investigation.

Labour’s Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper criticised Farage’s decision, saying the by-election “shouldn’t be happening” and accusing him of creating a political distraction.

“Nobody is going to get drawn into what is a political stunt by Nigel Farage because he wants to avoid the rules that apply to everyone,” Cooper told BBC Breakfast.

Reform UK’s home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf defended Farage, claiming rival parties were avoiding the contest because they had little chance of defeating him.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said her party would not take part in what she called a “fake election” designed to distract attention from Farage’s ongoing issues.

The Liberal Democrats argued that Farage’s resignation should be delayed until the parliamentary investigation is completed, saying voters deserve all the facts before making a decision.

Restore Britain also confirmed it would not field a candidate in the by-election but could contest a future election if another vote is triggered by the standards inquiry.

The Green Party initially left the decision to its local branch but later confirmed it would not put forward a candidate.

Meanwhile, comedian Jon Harvey, who often contests by-elections under the name Count Binface, has announced he will stand. Asked about his appeal to voters, he said simply: “I’m not Nigel Farage.”

Farage has denied any wrongdoing over his finances. In a video statement released by Reform UK, he accused the “establishment” and media of targeting him and said the by-election would give voters a chance to reject those attacks.

The election could take place as early as August under parliamentary rules. Farage has also offered for his party to cover the cost of the by-election, though legal experts have questioned whether such a payment would be allowed.

Farage won the Clacton seat in the 2024 general election with a majority of more than 8,000 votes, defeating the Conservatives who finished second.

He has been under investigation by Parliament’s standards commissioner over an undeclared £5 million gift from Reform donor Christopher Harborne before he became an MP. Farage has argued that the support was personal and should not require declaration.

The investigation was paused after his resignation but could resume if he wins the by-election and returns to Parliament. A possible suspension could lead to a recall petition and another by-election if enough voters support it.