The Reform UK leader will not be present at vote count in byelection he has tried to frame as the ‘people versus the establishment’ Nigel Farage set for decisive but arguably empty victory in Clacton Here are some of the scenes at the Clacton Leisure Centre in Essex as the byelection with a record 34 candidates – and a near metre-long ballot paper – draws out the counting process. The acting returning officer for the Clacton byelection, Ian Davidson, said he would not comment on security matters but that there was a “robust policing operation” in place. We have worked closely with Essex police colleagues to ensure the election process is completed safely and securely, as is evident from the level of security we have in place here today. This includes a robust policing operation throughout