Published on 18/07/2026 – 14:52 GMT+2
Nigel Farage, leader of the right-wing Reform UK party, is poised to encounter an unprecedented number of competitors in the August by-election for the coastal constituency of Clacton.
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A total of 34 candidates will vie for the seat, reportedly the largest field ever recorded in a UK parliamentary election, according to Tendring District Council, the local authority overseeing the ballot.
The prior by-election record was set in 2008, when 26 candidates contested Haltemprice and Howden after Conservative MP David Davis resigned to seek re-election.
Farage secured Clacton in the 2024 general election but stepped down as MP earlier this month amid intensifying media scrutiny and a parliamentary inquiry into an undeclared £5 million (€5.88 million) gift.
Announcing his resignation, Farage—who has consistently denied misconduct—stated he had “decided that the people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions,” describing it as “a chance to stick two fingers up to the entire establishment.”
The UK’s major parties are abstaining from next month’s contest, with Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, and Green Party all declining to stand, dismissing Farage’s resignation as a publicity stunt.
Labour accused Farage of “desperately trying to change the subject,” while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch claimed he was “running away from scrutiny.”
The by-election is expected to cost taxpayers over £275,000 (€323,345), as reported by The Independent.
Reform UK offered to fund the vote, but the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government ruled this unlawful, noting electoral costs must be publicly funded “to maintain the independence and impartiality of the electoral process.”
Among the contenders, 20 are independents unaffiliated with any party. Numerous others are novelty candidates, including three from the Official Monster Raving Loony Party.
The most recognizable is likely Count Binface, known for a bin-shaped helmet and black cape.
Other opponents include actor and right-wing activist Laurence Fox, standing for The Reclaim Party, which he founded and leads.
The full list of candidates for the 2026 Clacton by-election is available here.
At the 2024 general election, Farage and Reform UK won the seat with 46.2% of the vote.
