Good morning. Less than an hour ago, the results of the Clacton byelection were declared, confirming that Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has been re-elected MP for the Essex coastal constituency on 22,239 votes, in a surreal contest boycotted by every other major political party.
Farage increased his general election vote by just over 1,000 votes, despite a lower turnout. His closest challenger, Count Binface, the intergalactic space warrior created by comedian Jon Harvey, who Farage claimed earlier this morning to be “the candidate of the establishment” won 9,455, a career best.
