Eleven candidates have declared they intend to fight the Clacton by-election – a contest triggered by Nigel Farage resigning the seat he won in 2024, and one from which the main Westminster parties have decided to stand aside. Among the hopefuls are an engineering student from London University who says he will stand on an “anti-corruption, pro-worker platform”, a comedian in a silver dustbin suit, and the brother of Jeremy Corbyn.
Adham Alkhatip, a student at Queen Mary University of London and a former hospital housekeeping assistant in Birmingham, announced his candidacy on TikTok. Count Binface – whose real name is Jon Harvey and who has run in several previous elections, including the 2024 London mayoral race – says he wants to appeal to disillusioned voters with a manifesto that includes abolishing the House of Lords, banning noisy snacks in cinemas and scrapping VAR in football.
“Eleven candidates, including Count Binface and Piers Corbyn, will contest Clacton by-election after major parties step aside for Reform UK.”
Piers Corbyn, who declared his decision to stand on his website, is campaigning to stop British involvement in wars abroad, end compulsory vaccinations, halt net zero targets and scrap digital ID. Another candidate, Rees Cowne – who runs a talent management company, plays guitar and builds digital games – said on his website that he is not interested in being a politician but wants to “build a fair, powerful and economically serious Britain”, promising to improve the high street, access to mental health services and protect local beaches.
Robert Elwes, a tenant farmer who appeared on Channel 5’s Rich House, Poor House, said in an email to the BBC that the government’s decision to make some farmers pay inheritance tax has hit his family and he wants to draw attention to other issues facing farmers. The full list of candidates will be published after close of nominations on 17 July, but the BBC has confirmed 11 names so far, including Farage himself, who resigned as MP to force the by-election after allegations he did not properly declare certain expenses. The absence of Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat candidates has left the field open for a range of independents and novelty contenders, each hoping to capitalise on a political vacuum.