Farage Faces Record 34 Rivals in Clacton Vote After £5 Million Gift Scrutiny

3 articles · Updated · Euronews · Jul 17

34 candidates will contest Nigel Farage in Clacton on August 13, a total Tendring District Council says is the highest in any UK parliamentary election.
Farage triggered the by-election by resigning the seat he won in 2024 with 46.2% after media scrutiny and a parliamentary investigation into an undeclared £5 million gift.
Mainstream parties are sitting out the contest, with Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens calling the move a stunt rather than fielding candidates.
20 candidates are independents and several are novelty entrants, including three Official Monster Raving Loony Party candidates, Count Binface and Reclaim Party leader Laurence Fox.
The by-election could cost taxpayers more than £275,000; Reform UK's offer to pay was rejected because UK law requires election costs to come from public funds.