The candidates standing in the Clacton by-election

The main Westminster parties have decided not to stand against Reform UK in the Clacton by-election. But 34 candidates have put their names forward – a record for a British parliamentary election.

Here is the full list in alphabetical order. Polling day on the Essex coast is Thursday, 13 August.

The constituency includes Clacton-on-Sea, the other coastal towns of Frinton-on-Sea and Walton-on-the-Naze, and villages inland including Tendring and Wix.

The BBC is still trying to obtain more information about some of the candidates.

His real name is Tom Darwood who says, in a post on his website, that he calls himself Joseph as his life reflects the biblical Old Testament figure Joseph "who in effect became a surrogate prime minister". He says he will campaign around Clacton "in song and verse".

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, Alkhatip said he would be standing on an "anti-corruption, pro-worker platform".

Real name Jon Harvey, 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.

Nick the Incredible Flying Brick is one of three candidates standing for the party in this by-election.

According to the party's website, its policies for Clacton include renaming the town Eric, and reducing crime by not having so many by-elections - thus freeing up police for other duties.

It also wants to give "Clacton Peer" a seat in the House of Lords.

Tony Cane is standing as an Independent candidate.

The BBC has tried to contact him for more details about his policies.

His real name Matthew Carr, whose website talks a lot about the economy, the environment and general political issues.

He says that Brexit was missold and that exiting the EU has proved costly for the British economy.

He says he wants to drive up competition in the market place by forcing price cuts.

William Clouston is leader of the Social Democratic Party.

Announcing his candidacy on X, he said: "I think it's wrong that the major parties are boycotting this election, because the people of Clacton deserve a better choice."

The party has a range of policies including a pledge to renationalise utilities, end mass migration, withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights and deport illegal arrivals to the country.

Rees Cowne runs a talent management company, plays the guitar and builds digital games.

On his website, 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 High Streets, access to mental health services and to protect beaches.

Glenn Cummings is standing as an Independent candidate.

The BBC has tried to contact him for more details about his policies.

Martin Davies, a former banker, is leader of the Freedom Alliance which, according to its website, stands for individual liberty, accountable government and strong local communities.

It is opposed to the plans for unitary councils and a mayor for Essex and wants more investment to create jobs in Clacton.

Andy Erlam said he wants to increase constituency engagement and would focus on healthcare, housing and deprivation.

He said he would move to the constituency if elected, take half the MP's salary and hold regular surgeries.

Nigel Farage was elected MP for Clacton in 2024, but has 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.

A campaigner and lawyer who has previously stood as a Conservative candidate in local elections in Surrey.

She posts on social media about a variety of political subjects and has recently been very critical of Nigel Farage.

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 in the neighbouring district of Colchester, and said on social media that "Clacton is my back yard" and "someone is going to have to provide a voice on the right".

Tony Francis lives in Clacton. In a post on social media he says he is standing to put local people before party interests, practical solutions before political games, and service before ego.

He wants to protect the Clacton coastline and open spaces, support older residents and vulnerable people and improve local transport infrastructure.

Robin Green said he is standing out of frustration that the other main parties are not putting up a candidate.

Green is a software developer and said that experience means he can defend job losses and cybersecurity threats from artificial intelligence (AI).

He believes the technology provides an opportunity to improve the lives of people in Clacton.

Abi Hookway, from Doncaster, told the BBC she had experienced significant personal debt and had to rebuild her life as a successful property investor.

Her website said: "Abi Hookway, a self-made entrepreneur, started her journey as a single mother with two young children and £24,000 in debt."

She said she was tired of watching politics become a battle of personalities and would campaign on the cost of living, housing, community safety and restoring trust in public life.

Howling Laud Hope is one of three candidates standing for the Monster Raving Loony Party in this by-election.

See above for the entry for Nick the Flying Brick for its policies for Clacton.

Stephen Ingram is standing as an independent candidate.

The BBC has tried to contact him for more details about his policies.

The 22-year-old from Essex has told the BBC that she works in insurance and has never stood in an election before.

She says she is standing to protest against inheritance tax, which she calls "draconian and unfair".

Derrick Morris came to Clacton as an asylum seeker from British Guyana three years ago. His claim was accepted and he has lived in the town ever since.

In an email to the BBC he claims to be the most educated man in Britain and says he opposes mixed marriages and thinks global warming is a hoax.

He says he wants to improve the local economy and encourage more tourists to visit Clacton by making the pier more attractive and improving access to the beach.

Michael O'Keeffe is standing as an Independent candidate.

He spent 35 years in education and worked as a head teacher before retiring.

He says opportunity in Britain "too often depends on postcodes" and that government works best when it enables communities to become involved in decision-making rather than trying to control every solution from the centre.

Martyn O'Brien pledges to be a present, accessible and independent MP in Clacton and hold regular constituency surgeries.

Amongst his policy priorities on his website are better access to NHS GP and dentistry services with proper support for the elderly, disabled and unpaid carers.

Pelas works in health and social care and has lived in Clacton for more than 10 years.

In a post on Facebook, he says he will be campaigning to boost the High Street and build job opportunities in the town.

Pipaliya is the leader of the UKVoice party which, according to its website, believes that "practical, honest leadership is possible without ideological extremes or empty promises".

He says he is not standing to build a political career in Westminster but to be a strong voice for Clacton.

In a statement on his website, Pocock, who is a software engineer, is asking voters to read about his work on ethics in technology, safety of children online, artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency and cybersecurity.

James Ransley, a parish councillor in Kent, founded the Consensus Party in 2023. A former Tory, he quit the party during Liz Truss's short premiership.

Ransley backs off-shore wind power, which he said would reduce the use of costly fossil fuels.

He runs a furniture business in Kent but pledges to move to Clacton if elected.

Originally from Scotland, Gerry Smith said she spent her childhood years in institutional care. She wants to champion and be the voice of people who have grown up in the care system.

Smith wants better support for care leavers and pledges to put Clacton first.

Kai Stephens, who is 21 years old and from Norwich, says in a post on X 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 British National Party.

John Stevens is deputy leader of the Rejoin EU Party and a former Conservative MEP.

On the party's website, he said leaving the EU was "a historic national mistake... which is inflicting enormous, ongoing and accumulating damage upon our politics, our economy, our society and our culture".

The baron is the third of three candidates standing for the party in this by-election.

See the entry for Nick the Flying Brick for its policies for Clacton.

Pamela Walford has previously stood in local elections as a candidate for Reform UK.

She has so for not responded to requests from the BBC and others about why she is now standing as an independent and what her policies are.

One of the founders of the new party which, according to its website, has a "visionary blueprint" which will inspire everyone to play a role in improving the country.

The party says it has a plan for achieving £2tn of economic growth.

Marc Wilkinson is standing as independent and said he has applied to register Essex People as a political party with plans to establish more than 100 local community parties.

In an online video, he says he wants the party to represent the interests of Essex people and "stop billionaires giving money to political parties".

He wants to stop what he describes as corporate lobbyists and establish a form of direct democracy.

The full Statement of Persons Nominated is available on the Tendring District Council website. The council oversees the by-election.

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