Nigel Farage will attempt to return to Parliament in the Clacton by-election on Thursday against a record field of 34 candidates, including satirical candidate Count Binface. Farage resigned as MP for the Essex constituency in July before standing again for Reform UK, creating an unusual contest in which Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Greens have all chosen not to field candidates.
Tendring District Council says the 34 names on the ballot are believed to represent a record for a UK parliamentary election, exceeding the 26 candidates who stood in the 2008 Haltemprice and Howden by-election. Alongside Farage and Count Binface, the ballot includes candidates from smaller parties and a large number of independents. Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm on 13 August, with the result expected after counting begins that night.
The campaign has attracted national attention because Farage is seeking to regain the same seat only weeks after vacating it, while the absence of the main Westminster parties has given greater prominence to the smaller candidates. Count Binface, the political character created by comedian Jon Harvey, has used the contest to promote a satirical manifesto. Farage remains the best-known candidate in a constituency he won at the 2024 general election.