Nigel Farage has been re-elected as Clacton’s MP in a by-election prompted by his resignation amid scrutiny over a £5m donation. Some local voters interviewed by The Independent described the contest as wasteful and cynical, arguing that Farage’s focus on immigration and limited local presence made him a poor representative; others saw the unusual field as justification for backing joke candidate Count Binface.

Farage won 22,239 votes, while Count Binface came second with a record 9,455. Labour, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats did not field candidates, calling the contest a stunt, leaving Farage against 33 fringe and independent opponents. The parliamentary standards investigation into the donation, paused after his resignation, is expected to resume and could potentially lead to another by-election if he is found to have breached rules.