A crowded field of candidates is contesting the Clacton by-election, keen to take over the seat ever to have elected Nigel Farage as an MP.
Tendring District Council has confirmed 34 candidates will appear on the ballot.
Below are the 34 candidates standing in the election, and a little bit about them.
Not all candidates have made formal policy statements or campaign material publicly available at this stage.
Nigel Farage (Reform UK)
The contest’s highest profile candidate, Mr Farage is seeking re-election after stepping down this summer.
He has framed the contest as an opportunity for Clacton voters to judge his conduct.
James Ransley (Consensus)
Ransley, 39, promises to deliver “the work, not the show” as a candidate for Consensus.
He has pledged to hold 50 in-person surgeries annually across the constituency if elected.
Kai Stephens (British Democrats)
A 21-year-old from Norwich, Mr Stephens stands for the far-right British Democrats.
He describes the party as “serious, patriotic and nationalist.”
John Stevens (Rejoin EU)
Stevens, a former Conservative MEP, represents the pro-European Rejoin EU Party.
He has called for closer ties with the EU and single market alignment.
Laurence Fox (Reclaim Party)
Best known for his acting career, Fox is also leader of the Reclaim Party.
He is campaigning on a platform of free speech and opposition to "woke orthodoxy".
Count Binface (Independent)
A satirical candidate, Count Binface is the creation of comedian Jon Harvey.
He is known for his sci-fi theme and humorous policy proposals.
Howling Laud Hope (Monster Raving Loony)
Leader of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party, Mr Hope is running again in the Clacton constituency.
The party is known for its deliberately absurd policies and parody of the political process.
Adham Alkhatip (Forward Party)
Alkhatip, leader of the Forward Party, describes his campaign as “anti-corruption, pro-worker.”
He previously ran for the party in local elections.
William Clouston (Social Democratic Party)
Clouston leads the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
He promotes socially conservative values, economic interventionism, and a focus on national sovereignty.
Rees Cowne (Independent)
Cowne, running as an independent, says he is "not interested in being a politician" but wants to "build a fair, powerful and economically serious Britain."
He supports improvements to high streets, mental health services, and beach protection.
Abi Hookway (Independent)
Hookway, an entrepreneur and property investor, says she is standing to offer an alternative to divisive politics.
She supports financial education, entrepreneurship, better housing, and taxpayer value.
Amy Morris (Independent)
Morris, 22, works in insurance and is a first-time candidate.
She opposes inheritance tax, calling it "draconian and unfair."
Joseph 77 (Independent)
Also known as Thomas Faithful Darwood, Joseph 77 previously stood in the Uxbridge by-election.
He described himself as a biblical visionary for Brexit.
Nick The Incredible Flying Brick (Monster Raving Loony)
One of three Monster Raving Loony Party candidates.
The party uses humour to satirise British politics.
Tony Cane (Independent)
An independent candidate with no publicly available manifesto details.
Woke Trump Carrzee (Independent)
A satirical candidate.
He describes himself as a "woke Aussie Trump" and parody sibling of the US president.
Glenn Charles Cummings (Independent)
Another independent without a published manifesto at this time.
Martin Davies (Freedom Alliance)
Leader of the Freedom Alliance, Davies has previously campaigned in Scottish Parliament elections.
The party supports personal liberty and low state intervention.
Andy Erlam (Independent)
An independent candidate.
He has not published a manifesto at the time of writing.
Attieh Fard (Independent)
Another independent on the ballot.
No policy information has been published.
Tony Francis (Independent)
Francis previously ran as a Christian independent in 2019.
His campaign focused on housing, drug issues, and crime.
Robin Green (Independent)
An independent candidate.
No publicly available campaign details.
Stephen Richard Ingram (Independent)
No policy information currently available.
Derrick Norbert Morris (Independent)
Morris is reportedly connected to the "Independent Network."
He has called for a "new Greater Clacton," youth employment, crime reduction, and improved housing.
Morris' statement to voters said: "I am here to create The New Greater Clacton."
Michael Noel O'Keeffe (Independent)
No policy information currently available.
Martyn OBrien (Independent)
No further campaign details available.
Nick Pelas (Independent)
No published manifesto or public statements.
Ketankumar Pipaliya (UK Voice – Safer and Stronger UK)
Pipaliya is running for UK Voice, a minor party focused on a "safer and stronger UK."
He claims to be running as a candidate who will put Clacton residents first.
Daniel Pocock (Independent)
Pocock has directed voters to his blog for more information on his background and views.
He has a professional background in technology and policy.
Gerry Smith (Independent)
No detailed public campaign material available.
Baron Von Thunderclap (Monster Raving Loony)
A regular Loony Party candidate.
He campaigns on surreal policies such as saving the dodo and placing "Clacton pier" in the House of Lords.
Pamela Walford (Independent)
Walford previously stood as a Reform UK candidate in Maldon.
She came second with 25 percent of the vote.
Marcus White (Everyone is God Party)
Represents the Everyone is God Party, described as non-religious and focused on individual empowerment.
He previously stood in West Dorset during the 2024 general election.
Marc Wilkinson (Essex People)
Wilkinson represents a new party he calls 'Essex People.'
He describes the party as a system of "direct democracy" and "totally uncorruptible."
Absent from the ballot
- Ollie Granger (withdrew)
- Amelia Randall (withdrew)
- Rob Pownall (withdrew)
- Mr Fishfinger
- Piers Corbyn
- Ed Gemmell
- Luke Worley
- Marc Berger
- Stephen Newnham
- Robert Elwes
Residents have until July 28 to register to vote and until 5pm on July 29 to apply for a postal vote.
The by-election will take place on Thursday, August 13.
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