The Clacton by-election, triggered by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, will proceed on August 13 with an unconventional slate of candidates after the Labour Party, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Greens, and Restore Britain all announced they will not stand. Farage faces scrutiny over an undeclared £5 million gift from donor Christopher Harborne, investigated by the Commons standards watchdog, and security funding from convicted fraudster George Cottrell.
Major parties boycott
The major parties' boycott leaves Farage to face a field of minor party and independent candidates. Farage has framed the contest as a "people versus the establishment" battle. The by-election was triggered after Farage, who won the seat in the July 2024 general election, stepped down to focus on his campaign for the Reform UK leadership.
Count Binface
Satirical candidate Count Binface, the creation of comedian Jon Harvey, has announced his candidacy. He stood in the London mayoral elections in 2021 and 2024, and previously contested seats against Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak, and in the Makerfield by-election in June. On social media, he demanded: "Labour, Tories, Lib Dems and Greens: I demand you stand down in Clacton. I will be a unity candidate and pledge to build at least one affordable house." He added: "Nigel Farage says he wants The People versus the Establishment. So be it. Leave him to me." Bookmakers have slashed his odds in recent days.
Laurence Fox
Former actor and Reclaim Party leader Laurence Fox confirmed his candidacy on social media, writing: "We're coming because we respect the voters of Clacton and also to elevate the Fight on the Right." He criticised the mainstream parties' boycott, saying: "If I was a canvasser for any of the established political parties I would be pretty miffed that my party leaders had decided not to represent my voice just because they hate Nigel so much. What a state British politics is in when political parties don't stand in elections. This is meant to be a democracy. People should have options when choosing who to vote for." The Reclaim Party aims to challenge "woke orthodoxy" and promote "freedom of speech."
Rob Pownall
Wildlife campaigner Rob Pownall, known for dressing as a fox, will stand in Clacton shortly after competing in the Makerfield by-election. He plans to campaign against Farage's record on animal welfare and hunting.
Rejoin EU Party
The Rejoin EU Party, led by Richard Moreley, is seeking a candidate for the vote, posting: "Clacton, we need you! We're looking for someone to stand as the Rejoin EU Party's Parliamentary candidate. Passion for Clacton. Passion for Britain. Passion for Europe."
Monster Raving Loony Party
Howling Laud Hope, leader of the Monster Raving Loony Party, will stand. The satirical group, founded in 1982, announced preparations for the by-election. In Makerfield, their manifesto included a pledge to let every UK voter be prime minister for "15 minutes in their lifetime."
Luke Worley
Reality TV star Luke Worley, known for Married at First Sight UK and Dating Naked, will run as an independent. He told The Sun: "I've survived reality TV, so politics should be a walk in the park. Nigel Farage might be one of the biggest names in British politics and Lord Binface might be the king of political stunts, but neither of them grew up in Clacton like I did. They can bring the headlines and I'm fine with that but I'll bring the local knowledge and the respect for the local community. This campaign isn't about egos, it's about giving Clacton a fighter who actually understands what people here have been through." He pledges to improve roads, the high street, and support independent businesses.
Ollie Granger
Television professional Ollie Granger, who has lived in north Essex for five years, will run on a platform of tackling crime, creating jobs, backing farmers, and investing in tourism. He told the Clacton Gazette: "I want Clacton to have an MP who lives locally, listens to local people, and stands up for our communities every day not just at election time."
Piers Corbyn
Piers Corbyn, older brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, announced his candidacy in a speech on Parliament Square. He said: "The nearest thing to a general election is this by-election happening now in Clacton. That gives us the chance to raise issues which we couldn't otherwise raise."
Adham Alkhatip
Forward Party leader Adham Alkhatip announced his candidacy on TikTok, running on an "anti-corruption, pro-worker" platform.
Kai Stephens
Kai Stephens will run for the British Democrats, a party formed as a splinter of the far-right British National Party in 2011 and officially launched in 2013.
Amelia Randall
Kent County councillor and clairvoyant Amelia Randall is running for the Balanced Britain Party, which she founded. She was elected as a Reform UK councillor in Thanet before leaving the party last year.
