The 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 known after close of nominations on 17th July.

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.

Rees Cowne – Independent

Runs a talent management company, plays the guitar and builds digital games. On his website, external, 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 protect the local beaches.

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.

Mr Fishfinger – Independent

Real name reportedly Paul Ellis, a site engineer from Doncaster who dresses as a rectangular piece of breaded fish and stood against Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron in Westmorland and Lonsdale in the 2017 general election. In an interview with the Sun newspaper, external, he said his message in the by-election would be: “Say tartare to Nige. You’ll Findus much better.”

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”.

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.

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.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, Instagram, external and X, external.