The Clacton by-election is expected to take place on August 13 after Reform UK Chief Whip Lee Anderson moved the writ in the House of Commons.
While it is up to the local authority to organise the specifics of the election, the law states it must take place between 21 and 27 working days from now.
This means the vote will take place between August 7 and August 17.
Elections in the UK have taken place on Thursdays since the 1930s, making August 13 the likely date for polls to open.
Moving the writ in the House of Commons, Mr Anderson said: “I beg to move that Mr Speaker do issue his warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to make out a new writ for the electing of a member to serve in this Parliament in the constituency of Clacton.”
Despite speculation Liberal Democrat and Labour MPs could block the Clacton by-election, MPs today nodded through the vote without any opposition.
Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Farage had “run himself into a cul-de-sac” over his move to resign as the Clacton MP.
Speaking from the Nato summit in Ankara, the outgoing Prime Minister said: “Nigel Farage has been utterly exposed in this complete stunt that he was trying to set up.
“He’s run himself into a cul-de-sac and it was a stunt and everyone can see that.
“And there’s a reason for that and that’s because he’s up to his neck in sleaze and he doesn’t want to answer questions about it.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged the Government yesterday to block the by-election, saying the people of Clacton need “all the facts” before heading to the polls.
He said the Reform leader is “playing chicken” after a probe was launched into his finances over a £5million gift from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harbourne.
However, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she “will accept Nigel Farage’s request to be appointed steward and bailiff of the Manor of Northstead”, the formal mechanism for him to resign.
“It is a farce and a desperate distraction, and the people of Clacton deserve better,” she said.
“But if he wants to spend the summer arguing with a bin, I won’t stop him.”
Moving the writ, Mr Anderson said: “I beg to move that Mr Speaker do issue his warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to make out a new writ for the electing of a member to serve in this present Parliament for the County Constituency of Clacton in the room of Nigel Paul Farage, who since his election for the said County Constituency has been appointed to the office of Steward and Bailiff of His Majesty’s Manor of Norstead in the County of York.”
Speaker of the House Sir Lindsay Hoyle responded: “The question is that I do issue my warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to make out a new writ for the electing of a member to serve in the present Parliament for the County Constituency of Clacton in the room of Nigel Paul Farage, who since his election to the said County Constituency has been appointed to the office of Steward and Bailiff of His Majesty’s Manor of Norstead in the County of York.
“As many of that opinion say aye.”
Members of the House called out “aye” to which Sir Lindsay concluded: “I think the ayes have it. The ayes have it.”
The by-election has been condemned by opposing politicians, with Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and Restore saying they would not stand.
However, Count Binface has declared his candidacy, with the parody candidate being accepted as Mr Farage’s main contender.
He said: “I will be a unity candidate and pledge to build at least one affordable house.
“Nigel Farage says he wants the people versus the establishment. So be it. Leave him to me.”
Reclaim, the Rejoin EU party, the Monster Raving Looney Party and the Climate Party have said they will stand.
