PA MediaAndrew SinclairEast of England political editor10 July 2026Updated 1 hour agoThe 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 the BBC knows about – in alphabetical order. The complete candidate list will be published after close of nominations on 17 July.Adham Alkhatip – Forward Party Adham Alkhatip/InstagramAdham Alkhatip is an engineering student at Queen Mary University of London, who previously worked as a housekeeping assistant at a hospital in Birmingham. Announcing his candidature on TikTok, Alkhatip said he would be standing on an “anti-corruption, pro-worker platform”. Count Binface – Independent PA MediaReal 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 PA MediaBrother of former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, Piers Corbyn announced his decision to stand on his website. He said he would be campaigning to stop British involvement in wars abroad, end compulsory vaccinations, halt net zero targets and scrap digital ID.Rees Cowne – Independent Rees CowneRees Cowne runs a talent management company, plays the guitar and builds digital games. On his website, he says he is not interested in being a politician but wants to “build a fair, powerful and economically serious Britain”. Among his policies are a promise to improve the high street, access to mental health services and to protect local beaches.Robert Elwes – Family Farmers Against the Farm TaxRobert ElwesLincolnshire landowner Robert Elwes has previously taken part in Channel 5 reality show Rich House, Poor House. He wants to draw attention to the impact of the recent government decision to make some farmers pay inheritance tax on their estates.Nigel Farage – Reform UK Shaun Whitmore/BBCNigel 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.Mr Fishfinger – Independent Real name reportedly Paul Ellis, he is a site engineer from Doncaster who dresses as a rectangular piece of breaded fish.He previously stood against Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron in Westmorland and Lonsdale in the 2017 General Election. In an interview with the Sun, he said his message in the by-election would be: “Say tartare to Nige. You’ll Findus much better.”Laurence Fox – ReclaimPA MediaThe actor and political activist Laurence Fox 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 that “Clacton is my back yard” and “someone is going to have to provide a voice on the right”.Kai Stephens – British Democratic PartyKai Stephens/XKai Stephens, who is 21 and from Norwich, says in a post on X 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 – IndependentLauren Carter/BBCA resident of Clacton, Luke 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, 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.Get in touchYour VoiceContact formContact formFollow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.Related topicsEssexMore on the Clacton by-electionFarage’s by-election in Clacton officially confirmed4 days agoFarage denies stunt as Reform proposes August by-election date5 days agoWhat do Farage’s constituents think about his resignation?6 days agoRelated internet linksElectoral Commission …
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[mwai_chat context=”Let’s have a discussion about this article:nnPA MediaAndrew SinclairEast of England political editor10 July 2026Updated 1 hour agoThe 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 the BBC knows about – in alphabetical order. The complete candidate list will be published after close of nominations on 17 July.Adham Alkhatip – Forward Party Adham Alkhatip/InstagramAdham Alkhatip is an engineering student at Queen Mary University of London, who previously worked as a housekeeping assistant at a hospital in Birmingham. Announcing his candidature on TikTok, Alkhatip said he would be standing on an “anti-corruption, pro-worker platform”. Count Binface – Independent PA MediaReal 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 PA MediaBrother of former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, Piers Corbyn announced his decision to stand on his website. He said he would be campaigning to stop British involvement in wars abroad, end compulsory vaccinations, halt net zero targets and scrap digital ID.Rees Cowne – Independent Rees CowneRees Cowne runs a talent management company, plays the guitar and builds digital games. On his website, he says he is not interested in being a politician but wants to “build a fair, powerful and economically serious Britain”. Among his policies are a promise to improve the high street, access to mental health services and to protect local beaches.Robert Elwes – Family Farmers Against the Farm TaxRobert ElwesLincolnshire landowner Robert Elwes has previously taken part in Channel 5 reality show Rich House, Poor House. He wants to draw attention to the impact of the recent government decision to make some farmers pay inheritance tax on their estates.Nigel Farage – Reform UK Shaun Whitmore/BBCNigel 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.Mr Fishfinger – Independent Real name reportedly Paul Ellis, he is a site engineer from Doncaster who dresses as a rectangular piece of breaded fish.He previously stood against Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron in Westmorland and Lonsdale in the 2017 General Election. In an interview with the Sun, he said his message in the by-election would be: “Say tartare to Nige. You’ll Findus much better.”Laurence Fox – ReclaimPA MediaThe actor and political activist Laurence Fox 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 that “Clacton is my back yard” and “someone is going to have to provide a voice on the right”.Kai Stephens – British Democratic PartyKai Stephens/XKai Stephens, who is 21 and from Norwich, says in a post on X 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 – IndependentLauren Carter/BBCA resident of Clacton, Luke 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, 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.Get in touchYour VoiceContact formContact formFollow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.Related topicsEssexMore on the Clacton by-electionFarage’s by-election in Clacton officially confirmed4 days agoFarage denies stunt as Reform proposes August by-election date5 days agoWhat do Farage’s constituents think about his resignation?6 days agoRelated internet linksElectoral Commission …nnDiscussion:nn” ai_name=”RocketNews AI: ” start_sentence=”Can I tell you more about this article?” text_input_placeholder=”Type ‘Yes'”]
