The main Westminster parties have decided not to stand against Reform UK in the Clacton by-election. But plenty of other candidates have declared their intention to stand.
Here is the full list of those we know about – in alphabetical order.
ADHAM ALKHATIP – FORWARD PARTY
An engineering student at London University who previously worked as a housekeeping assistant at a hospital in Birmingham. Announcing his candidature on TikTok, external, Alkhatip said he would be standing on an “anti-corruption, pro-worker platform”.
COUNT BINFACE – INDEPENDENT
Real name Jon Harvey, Count Binface is a comedian and author who often participates in elections and by-elections always in a silver dustbin costume. He says he hopes to appeal to disillusioned voters. His policies include abolishing the House of Lords, banning the eating of noisy snacks in cinemas and scrapping VAR in football.
PIERS CORBYN – INDEPENDENT
Brother of former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, he announced his decision to stand on his website, external and said he would be campaigning to stop British involvement in wars abroad, end compulsory vaccinations, halt net zero targets and scrap digital ID.
NIGEL FARAGE – REFORM UK
Nigel Farage was elected MP for Clacton in 2024 but resigned in order to force this by-election. He says he is asking for the public’s support following allegations he did not properly declare donations from two businessmen. A Parliamentary Standards Commissioner investigation into one of the donations has been suspended while the by-election takes place. He says he has done nothing wrong.
LAURENCE FOX – RECLAIM
The actor and political activist set up the Reclaim Party in 2020. Its website says it stands for patriotism, protecting Britain’s borders and supporting working class communities. He lives near West Mersea in Essex and said on social media, external that “Clacton is my back yard” and “someone is going to have to provide a voice on the right”.
OLLIE GRANGER – INDEPENDENT
The broadcasting and media professional from Colchester says he has no party machine and no political background. In a Facebook post, external he said that he would fight for more policing in the town, more investment in jobs and champion farming and tourism.
ROB POWNALL – INDEPENDENT
A wildlife campaigner and founder of Protect the Wild, who often dresses in a fox costume. He told the Metro newspaper, external that he would use the by-election to “give British wildlife a voice” and campaign against trail-hunting.
AMELIA RANDALL – BALANCED BRITAIN PARTY
A clairvoyant and an Independent on Kent County Council, Randall was elected as a Reform UK councillor in Thanet before leaving the party last year for reasons that are not clear. When she founded her Balanced Britain Party she said that she had learned that politics “is like a school playground”, external and she wants to represent people who don’t vote or want to be associated with politics.
KAI STEPHENS – BRITISH DEMOCRATS
Stephens, who is 21 and from Norwich, says in a post on X, external that the far right party is the only one that is serious, patriotic and “most importantly NATIONALIST”. The party was founded in 2011 by former members of the BNP.
LUKE WORLEY – INDEPENDENT
A resident of Clacton, Worley made news after appearing briefly in the TV show Married at First Sight UK before being removed after an altercation with another contestant. In a post on Instagram, external he says he wants to improve roads in the town and make life more affordable for local families.
Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? Contact us below.
