The Clacton by-election may well be the most attention-grabbing by-election in history.
Nigel Farage, the man many expected to be the next prime minister, resigned as a member of parliament following an investigation into his financial affairs, only to immediately stand for re-election.
It's not the first time the move has been pulled by an MP, with David Davis resigning in 2008 to re-stand for his seat in the subsequent by-election. Mirroring the Clactoc by-election, the major parties declined to put candidates forward with Labour declaring the move to be a stunt on Davis's part.
Likewise in 2026, none of Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and even Restore have named candidates, though they have made suggestions that they expect Farage to win, only for his investigation to be reopened and bring about a potential suspension and second by-election, at which point they will then contest the subsequent by-election.
There is no legitimate challenger to Farage, however novelty candidate Count Binface has once again put his name forward. Incredibly, Count Binface is as short as 5/1 to beat Farage, with the Reform leader 1/8.
What was expected to be a two-horse race was disrupted by Laurence Fox, who will stand as an independent, as well as the Monster Raving Loony Party.
Other candidates are now intending to stand, and you can see the full list below.
Clacton by-election list of candidates
- Nigel Farage (Reform UK)
- Count BInface
- Kai Stephens (British Democrats)
- Ollie Granger (independent)
- Luke Worley (independent)
- Monster Raving Loony Party (candidate TBC)
- Laurence Fox (Reclaim)
- Adham Alkhatip (Forward Party)
- Rejoin EU Party (candidate TBC)
- Piers Corbyn (independent)
Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change or withdrawal at any time.
