When will the Clacton by-election take place - and will Nigel Farage win?

Nigel Farage was accused of throwing a “hissy fit” as he dramatically announced that he was quitting as an MP to trigger a by-election in his Clacton seat, which he would then stand in.

Following intense scrutiny over financial support he has received, Mr Farage made a lengthy televised statement in which he denied any wrongdoing on Tuesday.

He confirmed that he will stand for the seat in a bid to silence his critics and show he has a mandate with voters, adding: “I will fight to win."

He said: “I will resign as a member of Parliament for Clacton on Sea, thereby forcing a by-election, which will happen, I hope, in short order.

“I've decided that the people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions. This will be a people versus the establishment by election. It's a chance to stick two fingers up to the entire establishment.”

But when will the by-election take place? What will the key issues be? And will Mr Farage win the seat?

Mr Farage wrote to the Chancellor asking to be appointed to one of two historic “offices of profit under the Crown” – the Chiltern Hundreds or the Manor of Northstead.

Rachel Reeves agreed but branded the move “a farce and a desperate distraction”.

Mr Farage was automatically disqualified from sitting in the Commons, his seat was declared vacant and the process of calling a by‑election begun.

Reform UK chairman Lee Anderson formally moved the writ needed to call the poll on Thursday.

Tendring District Council has now announced vote will be held on August 13.

During his statement, Mr Farage made it clear that he views the forthcoming contest as being a “people versus the establishment” vote.

Having led the polls for over a year, the by-election will now provide a major test of both Reform UK’s momentum and Mr Farage’s leadership and popularity.

Rather than local issues, it appears that the by-election could come down to - do you believe in Nigel Farage or not?

Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and Restore Britain have all said they will not field candidates in the by-election.

Green leader Zack Polanski said his party would not participate in a “circus”.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused Mr Farage of having a “hissy fit”.

The only candidate to declare they will stand so far is Count Binface.

In the 2024 general election, Mr Farage won comfortably, earning 21,225 for a 46.2% share of the vote.

He earned a majority of 8,405, with Giles Watkings of the Conservatives in second with 12,820 votes, and Labour’s Jovan Owusu-Nepaul in third with 7,448 votes.

Early betting odds suggested that Reform UK were heavy favourites to win the upcoming by-election.

Paddy Power had Reform at 1/7 to emerge victorious, with the Conservatives at 9/2, Labour at 20/1 and Restore Britain at 25/1.

An early projection from Election Results UK had Reform winning 48.5% of the vote, an increase from 2024, with the Conservatives on 19.2% and Restore Britain on 12%.

But with the main parties insisting they will not stand, the by-election could be a face off between Mr Farage and Count Binface.