All eyes are on the seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea as Nigel Farage faces an unprecedented 33 other candidates in next week’s by-election to remain the constituency’s MP.
With all main political parties sitting out the race – following Farage’s decision to trigger a by-election following scrutiny of his financial affairs and backers – the Reform UK leader’s main opponent appears to be Count Binface.
Others lining up against Farage include members of The Official Monster Raving Loony Party, anti-immigration influencer Laurence Fox and a vast array of independents. Here’s who they all are:
Count Binface
Binface – real name Jon Harvey – is an Oxford-educated comedian who has appeared at many major elections since 2017, when he stood as “Lord Buckethead” against then-prime minister Theresa May.
While he is a novelty candidate – whose policies include nationalising Adele and capping croissants at £1 – Binface has become the focal point for opposition to Farage, though there is little expectation of him winning.
Some Clacton voters have expressed displeasure at the circus that the by-election has become, with little credible opposition against the Reform leader.
Laurence Fox, Reclaim Party
Former actor Laurence Fox is running under Reclaim, a right-wing, self-described anti-“woke” populist party.
He rose to fame for his role in the ITV detective drama Lewis, before transitioning into politics.
Laurence Fox pivoted into right-wing politics following his acting career (Photo: Mark Kerrison/In Pictures/Getty)Since then, he has frequently echoed right-wing narratives on issues like immigration and free speech, and is allies with far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
Fox’s campaign focuses heavily on expanding free speech, but has not outlined any specific policies.
The Official Monster Raving Loony Party
The satirical party was first established by musician David Sutch, aka Screaming Lord Sutch, in 1982 and is known for its deliberately eccentric policies – like building a high-speed railway line to the Falkland Islands and introducing a 99p coin – and fielding novelty candidates as an alternative for protest voters.
It has never won representation in Parliament.
The party has three candidates standing in the Clacton by-election: Nick The Incredible Flying Brick, Howling Laud Hope and Baron Von Thunderclap.
Howling Laud Hope, leader of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party has proposed some bizarre policies (Photo: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty)Their pledges include replacing all red tape with Sellotape – to make the government “more transparent” – and setting up an “intergalactic spaceport” in Clacton Pavilion.
Other candidates and parties
Adham Alkhatip, Forward Party: Priorities include economic growth and “end wealth influence and ensure proportional representation”. William Stuart James Clouston, Social Democratic Party: The party said it “combines pragmatic economics with a clear vision for restoring the rule of law, ending mass migration, and ensuring British control over critical national assets”. Martin Davies, Freedom Alliance – Real People, Real Alternative!: The party is campaigning on the principles of individual liberty, accountable government and strong local communities. Policies include the right to choose to use digital ID and lowering business rates. Ketankumar Pipaliya, UK Voice: Pipaliya, the party’s founder, worked in pharmaceuticals. Policies include nationalising essential services like water and reducing university fees to £5,000 a year. James Ransley, Consensus Party: A former chairman of a Kent parish council. He opposes further privatisation of the NHS and supports offshore windpower over dependence on foreign fossil fuels, though there is little available on his policies. Kai Stephens, British Democrats: Stephens, whose party is a splinter group of the British National Party, described Farage as a “traitor who works in the interests of Zionism, Capitalism, Globalism”. He says that his party is the only one that is “serious, patriotic, and most importantly, NATIONALIST”. John Stevens, Rejoin EU: Stevens’ main gripe with Farage is clear from the name of his party, but he also pledges to fix the “care crisis”, secure more opportunities for young people and “fix our trains and internet”. He is a former Conservative MEP and won more votes than Farage in Buckingham in the 2010 election. Marcus White, Everyone is God Party: A long list of policies on the group’s website includes ideas on cost of living, freedom of speech, “stop the boats” and “following your heart”.Independents
Joseph, 77: Vows to bring “wealth and prestige” to Clacton and wants to create a “British Constitution Party” representing all political parties, which he would lead. Tony Cane: Campaigning on the message of “putting Clacton first. Listening. Acting. Delivering.” Woke Trump CarrZee: The Australian former financial journalist, real name Mathew Carr, is in character as Donald Trump’s “pretend younger brother”. Rees Cowne: The chief operating officer of a talent management company is standing to “put local issues first, while facing up to the national issues that need to be addressed across Britain” like the economy and environment. Glenn Charles Cummings: No further information is available on this candidate. Andy Erlam: The former political adviser has been critical of the options available to voters in Clacton. “Westminster is a jungle, and you don’t want a comedian to represent you,” he told a recent hustings. Attieh Fard: The Iranian-born solicitor is campaigning on a message of improving Britain’s national security and better infrastructure. Tony Francis: A former police officer and sergeant in the constituency. His campaign is intertwined with his Christian faith, under the banner of Revival UK. Robin Green: The software developer is running “to put the brakes on AI, unseat Farage, and support common sense moderation”. Abi Hookway: An entrepreneur and property investor. She wants to improve financial education, support entrepreneurs and small businesses and push for improved housing. Stephen Richard Ingram: Policies unknown. Amy Morris: The insurance industry worker is a single-issue candidate, calling for the abolition of inheritance tax which she calls “immoral… unfair and unjust”. Derrick Norbert Morris: He told voters he would make Clacton “shinny [sic], beautiful and rich. So, Let’s make Clacton greater”. Michael Noel O’Keeffe: The policy commitments of this former teacher and local authority adviser are unclear, but he said in a statement: “I will work to ensure that Clacton has an active, thoughtful and constructive voice in Parliament.” Martyn O’Brien: Describes himself as a “normal hard-working Dad” and is campaigning on a platform of better healthcare and disability support, and better job opportunities. Nick Pelas: Has worked in the health and social care sector for over 30 years and runs the annual Colchester Film Festival. His campaign slogan is “Not left not right but local” and he aims to boost high streets and job opportunities. Daniel Pocock: The Australian software engineer is running on what appears to be a central message of protecting people from social media’s dangers. Gerry Smith: No further details have been found on this candidates policies. Pamela Walford: Previously stood as a Reform candidate in the 2024 general election in the constituency of Maldon. She has become disillusioned with the party and is no longer a member, she wrote on Facebook in late July. Marc Wilkinson: Represents a new party he calls “Essex People”, in which he would “vote as per instructed by the members of the party”.Ballot paper nearly a metre long
The record number of candidates means the ballot paper is nearly a metre in length, said Ian Davidson, Tendring District Council’s chief executive and acting returning officer for the by-election. “This is a particularly complex by-election, and the size of the ballot paper has created a number of practical challenges for our elections team,” he said.
Organisers “have had to carefully consider how it is printed, folded, posted and managed at polling stations”, said Davidson.
Peter Dorey, professor of British politics at Cardiff University, said of this by-election: “Many hope that with the main parties not fielding a candidate, the smaller parties and Independent candidates will have more chance of attracting media attention and winning more votes than would normally be the case. The number of candidates has been increased by the fact that the Monster Raving Loony Party is fielding three candidates. After all, August is known as ‘the silly season!'”
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