Leader of the right-wing Reform UK party wins by-election in Britain

Nigel Farage, the leader of the right-wing Reform UK party, won the by-election held in Clacton, in southeast England, securing a decisive victory over his opponent, Count Benjafield. Election authority figures showed that Farage, 62, won approximately 63% of the vote, with 22,239 votes compared to 9,455 for his rival. The by-election was triggered by Farage himself after he resigned his seat as MP for Clacton, while the major British parties boycotted the contest.

Analysts and opinion polls had predicted a Farage victory, given his prominent role in the campaign for the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, known as Brexit. However, his opponent, who received 27% of the vote, performed significantly better than the expected 20%, a figure that was itself considered notable.

Voter turnout reached 44%, well below the 59% recorded in the 2024 general election, though not unusual for a by-election. Commenting on the results via his X (formerly Twitter) account, Farage said: “The Clacton result speaks for itself.”

Farage decided to stand again for his parliamentary seat, which he first won in July 2024 after seven unsuccessful attempts, following his referral to the House of Commons Committee on Standards over allegations concerning donations and benefits in kind received prior to his election.

The Reform UK leader described the by-election as a “popular verdict” against the “elites.” Reform UK has seen a notable rise over the past two years, particularly with the influx of several Conservative figures. The party also won local elections last May, contributing to the resignation of former Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who was succeeded by Andy Burnham on July 20.