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Nigel Farage pictured leaving a polling station during the Clacton by-election

Farage faces renewed watchdog probe after Clacton by-election victory

The investigation into a £5m gift received by Farage reopens, as he returns as the MP for Clacton.

5 hrs ago
Politics
Nigel Farage

Chris Mason: Where does this unorthodox by-election victory leave Nigel Farage?

As expected, the Reform UK leader easily won the Clacton by-election but was nowhere to be seen after the result.

4 hrs ago
Politics

Farage's by-election victory won't stop questions about finances

Nigel Farage triggered the Clacton by-election and the result was predictable - so what did he achieve?

10 hrs ago
Politics

Count Binface gets almost 10,000 votes in Clacton by-election

The self-styled intergalactic space warrior finished second to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

10 hrs ago
Politics
A sign on Primrose Hill in London saying 'NO FIRES OR BBQS'

Temporary ban on sale of disposable BBQs over wildfire risk

Single-use grills pose a "significant risk to the public" in current drought and heatwave conditions, the government warns.

54 mins ago
John and Sue Wackett standing by the seafront in Clacton. They both have grey hair. Sue is wearing a brown vest top and sunglasses. John is wearing a grey polo top and squinting due to the sun.

What do people in Clacton think of Farage's by-election win?

The Reform leader wins the by-election he triggered, and gains more votes than last time.

7 hrs ago
Essex
The Plaza de Mayo square in the heart of Buenos Aires, with an Argentinian flag shown flying in the foreground

UK diplomats no longer get hardship bonus for being posted to Buenos Aires

Civil servants are entitled to extra money for working in difficult or dangerous cities around the world.

2 hrs ago
Politics
Actor Liz Carr, wearing a leopard print cardigan, black top and necklace. Next to her is a banner with the words 'Assisted suicide is not the solution'

Disability campaigners call for Burnham to delay assisted dying bill

Activists say introducing assisted dying without reforming care puts "sick and disabled people's lives at risk".

Nigel Farage standing outside a polling station, in a grey portable building, with his hands outstretched and raised. He is wearing a white jacket with blue pinstripes on it, a patterned lilac tie and sunglasses.

Has the by-election changed things for Clacton?

BBC East's political correspondent Andrew Sinclair analyses Nigel Farage's victory.

A still showing a military personnel on a helicopter above a large vessel. He is wearing green tactical gear and a helmet and gloves and is looking down at the boat. The water and sky are blue.

UK defends seizing shadow fleet tanker after Putin threat

The UK government says it is "disrupting and deterring shadow fleet vessels" in accordance with the law.

A female bartender pouring a pint of draught beer from the tap behind the bar in a busy British pub.

Zero hours crackdown could cost firms up to £2.9bn a year

Labour's employment rights bill crackdown on zero hours contracts could cost businesses up to £2.9bn a year, new official analysis has found.

Ronesha is wearing a red hooded top and sitting on a black sofa with a painted wall behind her.

Children in temporary accommodation hits record high

The number of children living in temporary accommodation has hit its 18th quarterly high in a row.


Features and analysis

Andy Burnham at a speech to Labour party members in central London

Burnham faces unpopularity test over prisons dilemma

The early release conundrum has given the new PM his first taste of tricky political decision-making.

A Clacton sign in front of the sea and Union Jacks inside a blue BBC Verify frame

The serial candidates standing against Farage in the Clacton by-election

BBC Verify takes a look at the serial candidates standing in Clacton, how they fared in previous elections, and whether they have ever won enough votes to get their deposits back.

A man in a red uniform washes a car inside a BBC Verfiy blue frame

Car washes and vape shops can still sponsor skilled foreign workers despite visa changes

The rules were tightened in July 2025 to restrict the scheme mostly to graduate-level employees who would be earning at least £41,700.

A prison officer with his left hand on a cell door. His upper and lower body is out of shot.

What could happen to prisoner early release scheme now?

The PM is changing the scheme for some prisoners after a police officer's widow said the possible early release of his killers was "deplorable".

Two hands holding a phone with Zack Polanski on the screen

Greens review social media operation as Polanski row rumbles on

The Green Party is grappling with how to manage its social media following a controversial post by its leader.


Andy Burnham becomes PM

Andy Burnham looking thoughtful against backdrop of a field. He is wearing dark rimmed spectacles

Prisoner release row proving to be Burnham's first big test as PM

The prison overcrowding crisis presents the new PM with a dilemma for which there are only unpalatable choices.

A black and white image of Andy Burnham with a border around which is cream. There is also an image of Sir John Curtice on the right and a lozenge which says BBC InDepth

Sir John Curtice: The 'Burnham bounce' is real but it's not massive

The governing party's poll ratings have improved but they're only just ahead of Reform.

Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham speaks to staff and media at 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, July 20, 2026.

Key takeaways as Andy Burnham becomes PM

The new Labour leader has formally taken office and set out his priorities for power in No 10.

A close up shot shows Andy Burnham speaking outside Downing Street, wearing glasses and a dark suit and tie, with a bokeh background.

Burnham has big ideas - but what will they cost?

Every tricky decision and trade off is being watched by the country and the markets at the same time

New Labour Party MP for Makerfield, Andy Burnham speaks to supporters and members of the media, the morning after his by-election victory, at Ashton Town FC, in Ashton in Makerfield, north-west England on June 19, 2026.

Can Burnham's casual style survive contact with No 10?

When Burnham becomes PM, he'll find it harder to wear the wardrobe that's central to his political brand.


From our Political Editor Chris Mason

Nigel Farage

Where does this unorthodox by-election victory leave Nigel Farage?

As expected, the Reform UK leader easily won the Clacton by-election but was nowhere to be seen after the result.

Burham looks up and towards the camera while sitting at a desk surrounded by cabinet members during a cabinet meeting in Downing Street on 21 July.

Chris Mason: What his first week in power tells us about Andy Burnham

The fledgling Burnham administration has been seeking to find its feet and make a decent first impression at the same time, the BBC's political editor Chris Mason explains.

Grant Shapps in a suit and tie

Shapps blocked from standing again for the Conservatives

Kemi Badenoch tells the BBC she leads a "new party full of new people" as ex-MP is rejected as a candidate.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar on stage at Glasgow International Arena for the 2026 Holyrood elections

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar set to become a minister in Burnham's government

It would mean Sarwar leaving the Scottish Parliament and his leader role, then taking up a seat in the House of Lords.

Anas Sarwar arrives for FMQs at the Scottish Parliament Building on May 28, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Chris Mason: Sarwar ministerial role sees promotion of another Starmer critic

Months after calling on Keir Starmer to quit, the Scottish Labour leader is set to become a minister in Burnham's government, the BBC's political editor writes.


BBC InDepth

A montage image shows BBC economics editor Faisal Islam standing in front of a black-and-white image of Manchester's skyline. Islam is bearded with dark greying hair and wears a grey suit with a multicoloured tie and a white shirt. In the background is the BBC InDepth logo and a beige and a red backdrop.

Burnham's 'Manchesterism' got him to No 10 - but will it work for the UK?

Economics editor Faisal Islam examines whether the north-west city can be a template for the entire country.

A black and white image of Andy Burnham with a border around which is cream. There is also an image of Sir John Curtice on the right and a lozenge which says BBC InDepth

Sir John Curtice: The 'Burnham bounce' is real but it's not massive

The governing party's poll ratings have improved but they're only just ahead of Reform.

A black and white image of Andy Burnham with No.10 behind. To the right is Laura Kuenssberg in a pink blazer with her arms crossed. There is also a lozenge which says BBC InDepth

Our exclusive behind-the-scenes access at No 10 as Andy Burnham became PM

Laura Kuenssberg was given unprecedented access to the new prime minister’s first days in power.

A treated image of a close up shot of Andy Burnham

Ruthless plotter? Flip-flopper? Dad dancer? Insiders reveal the real Andy Burnham

Who is the real Andy Burnham? Laura Kuenssberg talks to more than 20 people who know him to work it out

A treated black and white photo of Henry Nowak

The Nowak murder has lit a match under British politics. This is how we got here

The police response to the murder of Henry Nowak has triggered a heated transatlantic debate.


Watch/Listen

Man wearing grey bin mask over his head lifting two arms and holding his fingers in peace signs

Count Binface 'gratified' for being present at declaration

Count Binface - whose real name is Jonathan David Harvey - received 9,455 votes for the Clacton by-election.

man in blue suit

Muted response as Nigel Farage declared winner

Farage won 22,239 votes, with Count Binface in second with 9,455 votes.

Harry Farley looks into the camera as he speaks from Clacton hall

'Welcome to one of the most bizarre by-elections in recent history'

Votes are being counted in the Clacton by-election, with results expected in the early hours of Friday.

Ballot papers are sorted and verified for the Clacton by-election at Clacton Leisure Centre

Watch: Counting under way in Clacton by-election

Votes are being counted in the Clacton by-election, with results expected in the early hours of Friday.

Is Trump trying to influence foreign elections?

In Brazil and elsewhere, leaders raise concerns over alleged election meddling by the US.


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