Clacton by‑election sees record 34 candidates as Nigel Farage runs again

Nigel Farage resigned as MP for the Essex seaside constituency of Clacton after a parliamentary probe into a £5 million gift from a cryptocurrency billionaire. His resignation triggered a by‑election scheduled for 13 August. All major Westminster parties – Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and the Greens – chose to boycott the contest, calling it a media stunt. As a result, a historic field of 34 candidates was confirmed, the largest number ever for a UK parliamentary election and exceeding the previous record of 26 set in 2008. The slate includes 20 independents, three members of the satirical Official Monster Raving Loony Party, comedian Count Binface, actor‑turned‑politician Laurence Fox and other novelty candidates. About 80 000 voters in the Clacton constituency will choose their new MP from this unusually crowded ballot.