Key facts
- 34 candidates have been confirmed for the Clacton constituency by-election.
- Reform UK leader Nigel Farage resigned as MP on July 7 and is standing again.
- The list includes 20 independents and several joke candidates, such as three from the Monster Raving Loony party.
- Major Westminster parties have declined to participate in the contest.
- The by-election is scheduled for August 13.
- This is thought to be the highest number of candidates in a by-election in modern times.
A record number of 34 candidates have been confirmed for the Clacton constituency by-election, triggered by the resignation of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Farage stepped down as MP on July 7 amid scrutiny over his finances and a parliamentary investigation, but is now seeking re-election.
The candidate list, posted at Clacton Town Hall and on Tendring council's website, features 20 independents and several novelty candidates, including three from the Monster Raving Loony Party. Notably, none of the main Westminster parties – Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, or the Green Party – have put forward candidates for the Essex seat.
Voters will cast their ballots on August 13. According to Tendring District Council, this is believed to be the highest number of candidates to ever stand in a by-election in modern times, surpassing the previous record of 26 candidates set at the Haltemprice and Howden by-election in 2008.
Among Farage's most prominent opponents are joke candidate Count Binface and actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox.