VOTERS in Clacton are set to head to the polls two years after electing Nigel Farage to represent them as he forces a by-election in his own parliamentary seat.
The Reform UK leader announced he will quit as an MP and fight a by-election after coming under intense pressure over unregistered donations of cash and support.
In a video statement, Clacton Farage said: “I have done nothing wrong. I have not broken the law in any way at all.”
He also accused the media of harassment and vowed to fight a “people versus the establishment” by-election.
But when will those in Clacton head to the polls? Here's how it works.
When will the Clacton by-election take place?
Technically, MPs cannot simply quit so Farage is still the MP for Clacton.
To resign, Farage will have written 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.
Once that ceremonial post is granted, he is automatically disqualified from sitting in the Commons, his seat is declared vacant and the process of calling a by‑election starts.
This is the same centuries‑old mechanism every departing MP uses, whether leaving voluntarily or not.
When will we know the date of the Clacton by-election?
Once the vacancy is confirmed, the Commons must agree a motion to “move the writ” for a by‑election in his constituency, usually tabled by his party’s chief whip.
There is no fixed legal deadline, but by convention the writ is issued within about three months and must set a polling day 21–27 working days later, with local officials then publishing the notice of election and timetable.
The most recent comparison we have is the Makerfield by-election which saw Andy Burnham election in June.
Labour MP Josh Simon announced he would resign on May 14, he was appointed to the Chiltern Hundreds on May 18, the writ for the Makerfield by‑election was moved in the House of Commons on May 19 and the date was announced on May 20.
That by-election took place on June 18.
