EXCLUSIVE: Analaysis of NHS data by the Lib Dems reveals it would cost £263,000 to ensure children in Clacton who have not had a dental check-up get one – around the same as the cost of Farage’s by-election ‘circus’
The cost of Nigel Farage’s by-election “circus” is enough to ensure every child in Clacton gets an NHS dental check-up, analysis shows.
The Reform UK leader is locked in a humiliating battle against Count Binface and 32 other candidates after triggering the race while he was being investigated in Parliament. None of the major parties entered the race as Mr Farage’s ploy backfired, sparking accusations of a money-wasting stunt.
It is estimated the by-election will cost between £250,000 and £300,000. The Lib Dems pointed out this sum is equivalent to funding NHS dental check-ups for thousands of kids who have not had one.
Helen Maguire, the party’s primary care spokeswoman, told The Mirror: “It is an absolute insult to the people of Clacton that hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money is being spent on a self-serving by-election stunt, when local healthcare services are in complete decay. Parents are struggling to find dental appointments for their children, and thousands of local kids are missing out on basic check-ups.
“Instead of addressing the dental crisis in Clacton and across the country, we are seeing precious public funds swallowed up by political games.”
NHS dental statistics reveal that in the Tendring Council area, which covers Clacton, just 53.6% of children had accessed an NHS dentist in the 12 months leading up to June 2025. As a result 7,852 children in Clacton are missing out on crucial annual check-ups.
The Lib Dems said that funding a checkup for those who have not had one would cost £263,749, based on the area’s £33.59 cost of an appointment. A party spokeswoman said: “Nigel Farage has not mentioned dentistry once in Parliament in his two years as an MP.”
Mr Farage announced he was stepping down as an MP to trigger a by-election earlier this month. He branded it a “people versus the establishment” contest and claimed his opponents were using “foul means” to beat him.
At the time the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner was investigating him over a £5million ‘gift’ he received from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne before becoming an MP. He did not declare the sum, insisting he did not need to, despite rules stating donations and political gifts in the 12 months before entering Parliament should be made public.
That investigation is set to resume if Mr Farage wins the Clacton contest on August 13. If he is found to have breached the rules, Mr Farage could face a suspension, potentially triggering another by-election.
Labour, the Lib Dems, the Tories, the Greens and Restore UK all announced they would not be putting up a candidate, branding it a circus. If there is a second by-election after the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner’s report, it is expected the parties will contest the seat.
Instead Mr Farage has to contend with a wave of parody candidates and independents. Count Binface is the bookies’ favourite to be his chief challenger. Rob Pownall, who has previously fought campaigns dressed as a fox to raise awareness of animal welfare, dropped out saying the by-election had got too silly.
Reform said it offered to cover the cost of the by-election. However strict election rules to protect the integrity of contests mean candidates and parties are not allowed to fund them.
A Reform UK spokesman said: “Reform offered to cover the full cost of this by-election, either by reimbursing Tendring District Council directly or by making an equivalent voluntary payment to HMRC. Labour has chosen to reject that offer.
“If the Lib Dems cared as much about the people of Clacton as they claim, they would have had the courage to put up a candidate and fight the election instead of lecturing from the sidelines.”