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The candidates standing in Clacton by-election

East of England political editor

10 July 2026

Updated 3 hours ago

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 published after close of nominations on 17 July.

Adham Alkhatip – Forward Party

A selfie style picture of Mr Alkhatip who has short curly black hair and is wearing a dark suit with a blue shirt. He is standing in the cliff top gardens in Clacton with a ferris wheel in the background

Adham Alkhatip is an engineering student at Queen Mary University of London, 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

Count Binface - a man dressed in a grey space costume with a cape on the back and a dustbin for the head. He has his arms outstretched in the air while inside a venue, with a number of photographers taking pictures of him.

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

Piers Corbyn with grey hair and glasses walks towards the camera. He also wears a grey coat, grey trousers and a dark green jersey.

Brother of former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, Piers Corbyn announced his decision to stand on his website, external.

He 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

Rees Cowne looking at the camera while sat in a room, with a green plant behind him blurred out. He has short brown hair and stubble and is wearing a brown top.

Rees Cowne 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 to protect local beaches.

Robert Elwes – Independent

A selfie-style picture of Robert Elwes, who is wearing a flat cap, checked jacket and a multi-coloured jumper with yellow and blue tie. He is standing outside surrounded by trees.

Describes himself as a tenant farmer who has previously taken part in Channel 5 reality show Rich House, Poor House.

In an email to the BBC he talks about the impact of the recent government decision to make some farmers pay inheritance tax on their estates and says he wants to draw attention to other issues facing farmers .

Nigel Farage – Reform UK

Nigel Farage smiles for the camera. He has short grey hair and is wearing a blue jacket with a white shirt and purple tie.

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

Paul Ellis's smiling face pokes through a fishfinger costume, as the returning officer in the foreground delivers the result.

Real name reportedly Paul Ellis, he is a site engineer from Doncaster who dresses as a rectangular piece of breaded fish.

He previously stood against Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron in Westmorland and Lonsdale in the 2017 General Election.

In an interview with the Sun, external, he said his message in the by-election would be: “Say tartare to Nige. You’ll Findus much better.”

Laurence Fox – Reclaim

Laurence Fox has short blond hair and stubble. He is wearing round-framed brown glasses and a grey scarf over a navy blue coat.

The actor and political activist Laurence Fox 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”.

Kai Stephens – British Democratic Party

Kai Stephens with fair hair looks at the camera while delivering lines for a video recording. Behind him are trees and houses.

Kai 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

Luke Worley sat on a black leather sofa while listening to a reporter, who is off-camera to the right. He has short black hair and a beard, and is wearing a navy blue jacket over a black T-shirt. Behind him is a window, and there is a hedge and the top of a red car outside.

A resident of Clacton, Luke 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.

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