Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, Green Party and Restore Britain will not be fielding candidates in this by-election
Nigel Farage is set to face an unprecedented 33 rival candidates in the Clacton-on-Sea by-election, a contest he initiated in protest against media and parliamentary scrutiny of his financial affairs and backers.
The main Westminster parties have opted to boycott the by-election, dismissing it as a mere “stunt” by the Reform UK leader.
Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, Green Party and Restore Britain will not be fielding candidates.
Yvette Cooper called the move by Farage a “political tantrum”, while others labelled it as “fake” and a “gimmick” to distract from serious allegations about him.
This leaves a diverse field of opponents, with satirical candidate Count Binface and actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox emerging as his most prominent challengers.
Mr Farage had envisioned the contest as a “people versus the establishment” showdown, but he now finds himself up against a varied group, including three candidates from the Official Monster Raving Loony Party and numerous independents.
Tendring District Council has confirmed a total of 34 candidates will stand in the 13 August by-election, a figure believed to be a record for any parliamentary contest.
The previous record, according to the council, was 26 candidates, set during the Haltemprice and Howden by-election in July 2008.
That contest was similarly triggered by Conservative MP Sir David Davis in his own seat and also saw the main Westminster parties decline to participate.
Ballots will be allocated to 51 polling stations across the constituency, where almost 80,000 electors will be eligible to vote.
– Nick The Incredible Flying Brick (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)
– William Stuart James Clouston (Social Democratic Party)
– Martin Davies (Freedom Alliance – Real People, Real Alternative!)
– Howling Laud Hope (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)
– Ketankumar Pipaliya (UK VOICE safer and stronger UK)
– James Ransley (Consensus Party Candidate)
– Baron Von Thunderclap (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)
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