// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
What do people in Clacton think of Farage's by-election win?
Staff at the count were faced with three-foot long ballot papers featuring 34 candidates
People in Clacton-on-Sea have woken up to the news that Nigel Farage will be returning to Westminster as their local MP.
The Reform UK leader secured 22,239 votes in the by-election he triggered by resigning in July, beating the 9,455 for second-placed Count Binface.
It was the culmination of a showdown in the Clacton constituency, which was boycotted by the other major British parties. Farage won more votes than he did when those parties stood against him at the 2024 general election, when he got 21,225 crosses on a much higher turnout of 58%, compared to 44% on Thursday.
However, a parliamentary investigation into Farage, who resigned the seat amid a row over his financial support, will now continue.
The BBC has conducted a straw poll in the Essex seaside town, where people have shared their views on the election result.
Zak Apsey said the investigation into Farage was "not a big deal"
It was a "good result for Nigel", said Zak Apsey, but "it shouldn't really have needed to happen".
He argued the investigation into Farage was "not a big deal".
The Reform leader did not attend the result declaration, with his party saying the police had advised against it.