Nigel Farage beats slate of fringe candidates in election

Not really - the headline notes that the election was boycotted by the other major parties, so while his vote share increased 17.1% the 2nd through 5th placed parties last time didn't run and they previously won 52.7% of the vote.

There may be a second by-election in Clacton following the results of the ongoing investigation which the other large parties have stated they would stand in.

Or looking at it another way, if those who voted against him last time had voted at all, we would have Binface in parliament instead.

Both Tory and Labour boycotted this publicity stunt election, that’s why he had increased support.