Farage skips count attendance in Clacton by-election race against novelty candidate

Nigel Farage has said he will not attend the vote count for the Clacton by-election, which he himself triggered by resigning his seat. The contest has attracted 34 candidates, a new UK record. Major parties including Labour and the Conservatives refused to take part, so Farage's main rival is Count Binface, a joke candidate who wears a bin as a costume. Count Binface, whose real name is Jonathan Harvey, said he spent very little time campaigning, much like Farage, who lives around 130 kilometres away in Kent. Critics accused Farage of calling the election to avoid questions about financial gifts he had received. A poll found that 54% of voters thought he was wrong to resign and force the vote.