Binface to Reality TV: All the fringe candidates fighting Nigel Farage in Clacton by-election

Count Binface and a man dressed as a fishfinger will fight Nigel Farage in the upcoming Clacton by-election after major political parties boycotted the poll.

More than 20 candidates are running in the vote on August 13.

But other than Reform, the Social Democratic Party and Rejoin EU are the only other serious political parties to field contenders.

Reform UK leader Mr Farage has been accused of using the vote as a “distraction” amid mounting questions surrounding his personal finances.

He was already being investigated by the Commons standards watchdog over an undeclared £5 million gift from Thailand-based crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne, and is now facing further scrutiny over security for him funded by convicted fraudster George Cottrell.

Mr Farage said he would fight for the Essex seat in what he billed as a “people versus the establishment” by-election.

The vote has unusual field of candidates.

The Labour Party, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Greens and Restore Britain will not be standing.

Some minor parties, as well as a number of independent candidates – including Count Binface – will be Mr Farage’s challengers.

So who is actually standing? Here are all the candidates.

Satirical candidate Count Binface will appear on the ballot – and has had his odds slashed by bookmakers in recent days.

He also stood twice against Boris Johnson, once against Rishi Sunak, and stood in the Makerfield by-election in June.

Previously known as Lord Buckethead, the Count said: “Nigel Farage says he wants The People versus the Establishment. So be it. Leave him to me.”

Sir Keir Starmer has appeared to give his backing to the independent candidate.

Asked during his final Prime Minister’s Questions whether Mr Farage and Count Binface should take part in a televised debate, he responded that Reform “intend to spend the summer arguing with the bin”.

“My advice to everyone is put your vote in the bin.”

A man calling himself Mr Fishfinger and dressed as the breaded snack has entered the race.

He has vowed to “batter” Reform and win over voters with policies that include replacing Admiral Nelson’s Trafalgar Square statue with Captain Birdseye and changing Britain’s national anthem to “Cod Save the King”.

The former actor and leader of the Reclaim Party is standing.

“We’re coming because we respect the voters of Clacton and also to elevate the Fight on the Right,” he wrote on social media.

Mr Fox also criticised the lack of candidates from mainstream parties in the by-election.

He said: “If I was a canvasser for any of the established political parties I would be pretty miffed that my party leaders had decided not to represent my voice just because they hate Nigel so much.

“What a state British politics is in when political parties don’t stand in elections. This is meant to be a democracy. People should have options when choosing who to vote for.”

According to the party website, Reclaim exists to challenge “woke orthodoxy” and promote “freedom of speech”, which it sees as being “under grave peril”.

John Stevens, the deputy leader of the Rejoin EU Party, is standing.

He is a former Conservative MEP.

Monster Raving Loony Party

Not one but three Monster Raving Loony Party members are standing in the poll.

Leader Howling Laud Hope is a candidate, alongside Nick the Incredible Flying Brick and Baron Von Thunderclap.

It will be Hope’s 38th election. The satirical group, which was formed in 1982, has run on a manifesto comprising of pledges such as allowing every UK voter to be prime minister for “15 minutes in their lifetime”.

Reality TV star Luke Worley has announced that he will run as an independent candidate, pledging to improve Clacton’s roads and high street and support independent businesses.

Mr Worley, who came to fame following appearances on Married at First Sight UK and Dating Naked, told The Sun: “I’ve survived reality TV, so politics should be a walk in the park.

“Nigel Farage might be one of the biggest names in British politics and Lord Binface might be the king of political stunts, but neither of them grew up in Clacton like I did.

“They can bring the headlines and I’m fine with that but I’ll bring the local knowledge and the respect for the local community.

“This campaign isn’t about egos, it’s about giving Clacton a fighter who actually understands what people here have been through.”

The Social Democratic Party’s William Clouston is one of the candidates standing in Clacton from an established political party.

Piers Corbyn announced he is standing in the Clacton by-election in a declaration speech on Parliament Square, which was filmed and posted online.

The older brother of former Labour leader Jeremy, Mr Corbyn said: “The nearest thing to a general election is this by-election happening now in Clacton. That gives us the chance to raise issues which we couldn’t otherwise raise.”

Forward Party leader Adham Alkhatip announced his candidacy on TikTok, saying he will run on an “anti-corruption, pro-worker” platform.

Kai Stephens is running for the British Democrats, a party formed as a splinter of the far-right British National Party in 2011 and officially launched in 2013.

Marc Berger is an independent candidate in Clacton by-election.

The mysteriously named “Cap” is an independent candidate.

Rees Cowne is an independent candidate.

Robert Elwes is an independent candidate.

Abi Hookway is an independent candidate.

Amy Morris is an independent candidate.

Derrick Norbert Morris is standing for Independent Network.

Ketankumar Pipaliya is standing for UK Voice.

Daniel Pocock is an independent candidate.