The State of It: Farage wins Clacton – but his £5m headache remains

The State of It: Farage wins Clacton – but his £5m headache remains

Author: The Times August 14, 2026 Duration: 20:05

Nigel Farage has done the inevitable and defeated Count Binface in the Clacton by-election. To celebrate, Reform threw a gigantic Glastonbury-style festival on Clacton beach. Farage-fest 2026 featured disco, live music and even a Ferris wheel. But during his victory speech, Farage admitted for the first time that he may have made a mistake by failing to declare the £5m gift he received from Christopher Harborne. Now, just hours after his victory, the parliamentary standards watchdog has resumed its investigation into the Reform leader. So, after the Ferris wheel and the fanfare, what next for the embattled Farage?


Hosts:

  • Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times
  • Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times


Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson


Picture: Getty images

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Each morning, The Story arrives with a clear purpose: to move beyond the headlines and explore the forces and people shaping our world. Guided by the experienced reporting of Manveen Rana and Luke Jones, this daily podcast from The Times delves into the most significant political developments and news events with a level of depth and context that only their global network of journalists can provide. You’ll hear more than just summaries; you’ll get a nuanced understanding of why a story matters, who it impacts, and what might happen next. The analysis is sharp and the storytelling is compelling, designed to fit into your morning routine seven days a week. It’s a direct line to the frontline reporting and editorial expertise of one of the world’s most respected news organizations. This consistent, in-depth approach makes the podcast a reliable resource for anyone looking to truly comprehend the day’s events. Supported by readers of The Times and The Sunday Times, the production maintains a commitment to journalistic integrity and thorough exploration, ensuring every episode provides substance and clarity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Story
Podcast Episodes
How has Giorgia Meloni lasted this long? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:26
On Friday, Giorgia Meloni will break Italy’s record and become the longest-serving continuous prime minister since the Second World War. Her sceptics predicted she would only last a few months. So how has she managed it?…
Can the ‘Burnham bounce’ survive reality? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:50
Andy Burnham faced parliament for the first time as prime minister on Tuesday. He’s spent the summer projecting a sunny, optimistic vision of Britain’s future – but how long can the good vibes last as Burnham faces the c…
How much longer can the US afford the Iran war? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:02
It’s been six months since President Trump announced the US and Israel had launched a military campaign against Iran. And despite some early military successes, the conflict has had financial and political costs for the…
The man fighting to help the families of seriously ill children [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:54
When Ceri Menai-Davis’ five year old son Hugh was diagnosed with cancer, his whole family’s life was transformed. The emotional toll was unimaginable, but alongside that came myriad other hidden costs, and he soon found…
Britain's sleep rape crisis - The Saturday Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:44
It’s a crime that many victims don’t know is illegal. Now a Times investigation has found that online platforms are hosting graphic content depicting women being sexually assaulted while they sleep, despite UK laws banni…
Inside Meta's multibillion reality check [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:48
The tech giant Meta has agreed to pay up to $18 billion and add child-safety measures to its platforms, after settling a landmark trial against a coalition of American states. So, will the forthcoming measures actually l…
LATEST: Devastation in Nepal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:28
At least 360 have died, with hundreds more still missing, after a flash flood in Nepal. Experts are warning that a second flood may be imminent.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Time…