The Guardian World · Aug 14, 2026

Futile Clacton byelection has done Farage no favours

The Reform UK leader forced a vote that failed to make financial questions disappear, only the man himself • Clacton byelection – UK politics live Dawn had long broken in the Essex town of Clacton-on-Sea when the results for the byelection came in. After a gruelling count, an atmosphere of deep exhaustion had settled over the room.