Clacton by-election attracts 34 candidates

Ian Davidson posting the statement of persons nominated outside Clacton Town Hall. He is on the right, has short light brown hair and is wearing a light grey jacket over an open-neck shirt. His right arm is upraised as he puts the long list of typed names on to the brown wooden and glass door.

Image source, Tendring District CouncilImage caption,

The full candidates' list can be seen at Clacton Town Hall, as posted by acting returning officer Ian Davidson, or on Tendring council's website

ByKaty Prickett

Published53 minutes ago

A total of 34 candidates have been confirmed for the Clacton constituency by-election, triggered by the resignation of Nigel Farage.

The Reform UK leader resigned as MP on 7 July, following increased scrutiny over his finances and a parliamentary investigation, but is standing again.

The list contains 20 independents and a number of joke candidates, including three from the Monster Raving Loony party, with none from the main Westminster parties. Voters will go to the polls on 13 August.

It is thought to be the highest number of candidates to stand in a by-election in modern times, according to Tendring District Council.

The previous record is understood to have been 26 candidates, set at the Haltemprice and Howden by-election in July 2008, which was triggered by Tory Sir David Davis in his own seat and was ignored by the main Westminster parties.

Nigel Farage sitting in a pub while wearing a white shirt and navy blazer. He is smiling.

Image source, Shaun Whitmore/BBCImage caption,

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage will face 33 other candidates hoping to become Clacton's new MP

Farage is the only candidate from a Westminster party, after Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party all declined to take part in the contest for the Essex seat.

Joke candidate Count Binface and actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox are among his highest-profile opponents.

A lengthy Statement of Persons Nominated was posted outside Clacton Town Hall, setting out the full list of candidates.

It has also been published on the district council's website.