-
[Your account](https://account.bbc.com/account?lang=en-GB&ptrt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Farticles%2Fcrlw69p6lyeo)
A bin, two foxes and a mystic: the candidates fighting Clacton
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
Ten candidates say they intend to fight the by-election in Clacton
ByAndrew Sinclair,East of England political editor andBen Schofield,BBC East political correspondent
- Published 8 hours ago
The main Westminster parties havedecided not to standagainst 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.
Get in touch
Your Voice
Contact form
Follow Essex news onBBC Sounds,Facebook, external,Instagram, externalandX, external.
Related topics
More on the Clacton by-election
Farage's by-election in Clacton officially confirmed
* Published 1 day ago
Farage denies stunt as Reform proposes August by-election date
* Published 1 day ago
What do Farage's constituents think about his resignation?
* Published 2 days ago
From other local news sites
Bus and road diversions revealed ahead of three-week A13 closure
* External [Basildon Evening Echo](https://www.echo-news.co.uk/)
Popular tea room closed due to 'electrical fault'
* External [Braintree & Witham Times](https://www.braintreeandwithamtimes.co.uk/)
Major supermarket officially opens new Essex store
* External [Harwich and Manningtree Standard](https://www.harwichandmanningtreestandard.co.uk/)
Odds slashed as Count Binface given greater chance of Clacton by-election win
* External [Harwich and Manningtree Standard](https://www.harwichandmanningtreestandard.co.uk/)
New Greggs store opens creating 15 new jobs
* External [Maldon & Burnham Standard](https://www.maldonandburnhamstandard.co.uk/)
Ports partnership is a lifesaving boost
* External [Basildon Nub News](https://basildon.nub.news/)
Information about BBC links to other news sites
The video playlist
Watch our pick of standout clips from across the BBC
Previous Next
- 1:23 I was spiked by injection on a girls' holiday. 00:01:23, play video I was spiked by injection on a girls' holiday
- 1:23 Bayeux Tapestry arrives in London. 00:01:23, play video Bayeux Tapestry arrives in London
- 1:04 Should parents apply for jobs for their kids? 00:01:04, play video Should parents apply for jobs for their kids?
- 1:12 Women suffer more in the heat, here's why. 00:01:12, play video Women suffer more in the heat, here's why
- 0:37 Roommate says Charlie Kirk suspect confessed. 00:00:37, play video Roommate says Charlie Kirk suspect confessed
- 1:00 Who pays on a first date? 00:01:00, play video Who pays on a first date?
- 1:17 What's the craziest thing you've done as a twin? 00:01:17, play video What's the craziest thing you've done as a twin?
- 0:42 This painting might contain the most awkward blank space in history. 00:00:42, play video This painting might contain the most awkward blank space in history
- 1:16 Why are the US and Iran fighting again? 00:01:16, play video Why are the US and Iran fighting again?
- 0:44 What we know as triple murder manhunt continues. 00:00:44, play video What we know as triple murder manhunt continues
- 1:20 Iran faces uncertainty with its new political order. 00:01:20, play video Iran faces uncertainty with its new political order
- 0:57 Aid worker who ran World Cup viewings killed in Israeli strike. 00:00:57, play video Aid worker who ran World Cup viewings killed in Israeli strike
- 0:46 Will Russian fuel crisis change Putin's plans in Ukraine war? 00:00:46, play video Will Russian fuel crisis change Putin's plans in Ukraine war?
- 0:24 Will we get a bank holiday if England wins World Cup? 00:00:24, play video Will we get a bank holiday if England wins World Cup?
- 0:39 Greg James and Graham Norton's pre-Swift wedding plot. 00:00:39, play video Greg James and Graham Norton's pre-Swift wedding plot
Top stories
Live. Twelve dead and 23 missing in Spain wildfire as crews battle to contain blaze
* 10660 viewing 11k viewing
Live. Watch Wimbledon semi-finals: GB's Fery breaks back against Zverev in first set
* 96820 viewing 97k viewing
Bayeux Tapestry arrives in UK for first time in 900 years under police guard
* Published 8 hours ago
More to explore
- Pioneering treatment saves identical twins from rare pregnancy condition
- To Wimbledon and back - Fery's voyage to Centre Court spotlight
- All the best looks from Paris Haute Couture Week 2026
- The youth clubs fighting to stay relevant in the social media age
- How much sunscreen do you need to protect your skin?
- Ann Widdecombe: Brexit-backing former minister turned Strictly star
- Weekly quiz: Why did Australia's PM apologise to Kylie Minogue?
- We've saved £6,000 on holidays by swapping homes with strangers
- Royal Watch: Get the latest royal stories and analysis with Sean Coughlan’s weekly newsletter
Elsewhere on the BBC
- The rebels, rockstars and revolutionaries of tennis
- The return of the thrilling, award-winning drama about the CIA
- Twisty whodunnit with Nikki Amuka-Bird and John Simm
- Jackie Kennedy's guided tour of the renovated White House in 1962
Most read
- 1Man 'nearly sucked out of window mid-air' on Ryanair plane, passengers say
- 2Disney's 'dismal' live-action Moana panned by critics
- 3Ann Widdecombe: Brexit-backing former minister turned Strictly star
- 4Met police investigating Reform over election donations - reports
- 5Pioneering treatment saves identical twins from rare pregnancy condition
- 6Prince Harry plays pickleball at Invictus Games event, but no Meghan
- 7Bayeux Tapestry arrives in UK for first time in 900 years under police guard
- 8'People don't realise how at risk they are': A day with an ambulance service in a heatwave
- 9'Cool in 90 seconds' - the fake portable air conditioners sweeping the internet
- 10Ukrainian agent accused of murdering Monaco bomb suspect changes story
BBC News Services
Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.