Clacton by-election odds: Nigel Farage’s poll position and taxpayer costs explained

Farage is set to face record 33 rivals in Clacton by-election next week

The leader of Reform is set to face comedic candidates, including Count Binface, after major political parties decided to boycott next week's election.

Chief executive of Tendering district council, Ian Davidson, said to BBC Radio 4's Today: "We’ve got 34 candidates, which is the most number of candidates any parliamentary election has ever had. 

"And the ballot paper is just under a metre a long. The cost of actually printing, running, and posting things like that is about four times the cost of the General Election where we had five candidates."

When asked about the costs of running the by-election Davidson said that estimates went up to £250,000.

"Most of that is paid by government, but not all," he added. 

"Tendering council will have to pay some of the cost because we’re having to put a lot of additional measures in place which are not what would be in the normal parliamentary by-election costs."

The chief of Reform offered to cover the costs after triggering the by-election.

However, the offer was met with disdain, after a labour source dismissed Farage's comments.

They told The Mirror: “A political figure paying for a by-election he is standing in would clearly undermine the independence of the democratic process. It’s baffling that he can’t see that."

After facing scrutiny from pressure over personal finances, Farage resigned as MP, triggering a by-election and letting the people of Clacton to judge him, as opposed to the establishment.

Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage announces his resignation. Image: Getty.

Now rivaled with 33 other candidates due to major parties boycotting the by-election, Farage is met with Count Binface as his biggest rival.

He wrote on X: “Labour, Tories, Lib Dems and Greens: I demand you stand down in Clacton. I will be a unity candidate and pledge to build at least one affordable house.

“Nigel Farage says he wants The People versus the Establishment. So be it. Leave him to me.”

Polling has shown that a fifth of voters plan to back Count Binface next week, gaining momentum from an assumed anti-Farage sentiment from voters.

Polling in favor for Farage however is at 73 per cent, with Count Binface at 20 per cent, and the residual 7 percent scattered through the remaining 32 candidates.

When polling for either candidates, Farage drops at 69 per cent with Binface at 31 per cent.

Additionally, polling showed that Reform remained popular in the Essex constituency with 56 per cent of likely voters to back Farage.

Clacton voters are set to open the longest ballot, reaching under a metre, in what looks like a victory for Farage, despite the anticipated low turnout.