{"id":99919,"date":"2026-08-08T22:12:26","date_gmt":"2026-08-08T22:12:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/99919\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T22:12:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T22:12:26","slug":"loonies-binface-and-laurence-fox-farages-33-opponents-in-clacton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/99919\/","title":{"rendered":"Loonies, Binface… and Laurence Fox: Farage’s 33 opponents in Clacton"},"content":{"rendered":"

All eyes are on the seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea<\/a> as Nigel Farage<\/a> faces an unprecedented 33 other candidates in next week\u2019s by-election<\/a> to retain the constituency.<\/p>\n

With all main political parties sitting out the race \u2013 following Farage\u2019s decision to trigger a by-election<\/a> after scrutiny of his financial affairs<\/a> and backers \u2013 the Reform UK<\/a> leader\u2019s main opponent appears to be Count Binface.<\/a><\/p>\n

Others lining up against Farage include members of The Official Monster Raving Loony Party, anti-immigration influencer Laurence Fox<\/a> and a vast array of independents. Here\u2019s who they all are:<\/p>\n

Count Binface<\/p>\n

Binface \u2013 real name Jon Harvey \u2013 is an Oxford-educated comedian who has appeared at many major elections since 2017, when he stood as \u201cLord Buckethead\u201d against then-prime minister Theresa May.<\/p>\n

While he is a novelty candidate \u2013 whose policies include nationalising Adele and capping croissants at \u00a31 \u2013 Binface has become the focal point for opposition to Farage, though there is little expectation of him winning.<\/p>\n

Some Clacton voters have expressed displeasure at the circus that the by-election has become<\/a>, with little credible opposition against the Reform leader.<\/p>\n

Laurence Fox, Reclaim Party<\/p>\n

Former actor Laurence Fox<\/a> is running under Reclaim, a right-wing, self-described anti-\u201cwoke\u201d populist party.<\/p>\n

He rose to fame for his role in the ITV detective drama Lewis, before transitioning into politics.<\/p>\n

\"ActorLaurence Fox pivoted into right-wing politics following his acting career (Photo: Mark Kerrison\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Since then, he has frequently echoed right-wing narratives on issues like immigration and free speech, and is allies with far-right activist Tommy Robinson<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Fox\u2019s campaign focuses heavily on expanding free speech, but has not outlined any specific policies.<\/p>\n

The Official Monster Raving Loony Party<\/p>\n

The satirical party was first established by musician David Sutch, AKA Screaming Lord Sutch, in 1982 and is known for its deliberately eccentric policies \u2013 like building a high-speed railway line to the Falkland Islands and introducing a 99p coin \u2013 and fielding novelty candidates as an alternative for protest voters.<\/p>\n

It has never won representation in Parliament.<\/p>\n

The party has three candidates standing in the Clacton by-election: Nick The Incredible Flying Brick, Howling Laud Hope and Baron Von Thunderclap.<\/p>\n

\"PartyHowling Laud Hope, leader of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party, has proposed some bizarre policies (Photo: Oli Scarff\/AFP)<\/p>\n

Their pledges include replacing all red tape with Sellotape \u2013 to make the government \u201cmore transparent\u201d \u2013 and setting up an \u201cintergalactic spaceport\u201d in Clacton Pavilion.<\/p>\n

Other candidates and parties<\/p>\n

Adham Alkhatip, Forward Party: Priorities include economic growth and \u201cend wealth influence and ensure proportional representation\u201d.<\/p>\n

William Stuart James Clouston, Social Democratic Party: The party said it \u201ccombines pragmatic economics with a clear vision for restoring the rule of law, ending mass migration, and ensuring British control over critical national assets\u201d.<\/p>\n

Martin Davies, Freedom Alliance \u2013 Real People, Real Alternative!: The party is campaigning on the principles of individual liberty, accountable government and strong local communities. Policies include the right to choose to use digital ID and lowering business rates.<\/p>\n

Ketankumar Pipaliya, UK Voice: Pipaliya, the party\u2019s founder, worked in pharmaceuticals. Policies include nationalising essential services like water and reducing university fees to \u00a35,000 a year.<\/p>\n

James Ransley, Consensus Party: Ransley is a former chairman of a Kent parish council. He opposes further privatisation of the NHS and supports offshore windpower over dependence on foreign fossil fuels.<\/p>\n

Kai Stephens, British Democrats: Stephens, whose party is a splinter group of the British National Party, described Farage as a \u201ctraitor who works in the interests of Zionism, Capitalism, Globalism\u201d. He says that his party is the only one that is \u201cserious, patriotic, and most importantly, NATIONALIST\u201d.<\/p>\n

John Stevens, Rejoin EU: Stevens\u2019 main gripe with Farage is clear from the name of his party, but he also pledges to fix the \u201ccare crisis\u201d, secure more opportunities for young people and \u201cfix our trains and internet\u201d. He is a former Conservative MEP and won more votes than Farage in Buckingham in the 2010 election.<\/p>\n

Marcus White, Everyone is God Party: A long list of policies on the group\u2019s website includes ideas on cost of living, freedom of speech, \u201cstop the boats\u201d and \u201cfollowing your heart\u201d.<\/p>\n

Independents<\/p>\n

Joseph 77: Vows to bring \u201cwealth and prestige\u201d to Clacton and wants to create a \u201cBritish Constitution Party\u201d representing all political parties, which he would lead.<\/p>\n

Tony Cane: Campaigning on the message of \u201cputting Clacton first. Listening. Acting. Delivering.\u201d<\/p>\n

Woke Trump CarrZee: The Australian former financial journalist, real name Mathew Carr, is in character as Donald Trump\u2019s \u201cpretend younger brother\u201d.<\/p>\n

Rees Cowne: The chief operating officer of a talent management company is standing to \u201cput local issues first, while facing up to the national issues that need to be addressed across Britain\u201d like the economy and environment.<\/p>\n

Glenn Charles Cummings: No further information is available on this candidate.<\/p>\n

Andy Erlam: The former political adviser has been critical of the options available to voters in Clacton. \u201cWestminster is a jungle, and you don\u2019t want a comedian to represent you,\u201d he told a recent hustings.<\/p>\n

Attieh Fard: The Iranian-born solicitor is campaigning on a message of improving Britain\u2019s national security and better infrastructure.<\/p>\n

Tony Francis: A former police officer and sergeant in the constituency. His campaign is intertwined with his Christian faith, under the banner of Revival UK.<\/p>\n

Robin Green: The software developer is running \u201cto put the brakes on AI, unseat Farage, and support common sense moderation\u201d.<\/p>\n

Abi Hookway: An entrepreneur and property investor. She wants to improve financial education, support entrepreneurs and small businesses and push for improved housing.<\/p>\n

Stephen Richard Ingram: Policies unknown.<\/p>\n

Amy Morris: The insurance industry worker is a single-issue candidate, calling for the abolition of inheritance tax which she calls \u201cimmoral\u2026 unfair and unjust\u201d.<\/p>\n

Derrick Norbert Morris: He told voters he would make Clacton \u201cshinny [sic], beautiful and rich. So, Let\u2019s make Clacton greater\u201d.<\/p>\n

Michael Noel O\u2019Keeffe: The policy commitments of this former teacher and local authority adviser are unclear, but he said in a statement: \u201cI will work to ensure that Clacton has an active, thoughtful and constructive voice in Parliament.\u201d<\/p>\n

Martyn O\u2019Brien: Describes himself as a \u201cnormal hard-working dad\u201d and is campaigning on a platform of better healthcare and disability support, and better job opportunities.<\/p>\n

Nick Pelas: Has worked in the health and social care sector for over 30 years and runs the annual Colchester Film Festival. His campaign slogan is \u201cNot left not right but local\u201d and he aims to boost high streets and job opportunities.<\/p>\n

Daniel Pocock: The Australian software engineer is running on what appears to be a central message of protecting people from social media\u2019s dangers.<\/p>\n

Gerry Smith: No further details have been found on this candidates policies.<\/p>\n

Pamela Walford: Previously stood as a Reform candidate in the 2024 general election in the constituency of Maldon. She has become disillusioned with the party and is no longer a member, she wrote on Facebook in late July.<\/p>\n

Marc Wilkinson: Represents a new party he calls \u201cEssex People\u201d, in which he would \u201cvote as per instructed by the members of the party\u201d.<\/p>\n

Ballot paper nearly a metre long<\/p>\n

The record number of candidates means the ballot paper is nearly a metre in length, said Ian Davidson, Tendring District Council\u2019s chief executive and acting returning officer for the by-election. \u201cThis is a particularly complex by-election, and the size of the ballot paper has created a number of practical challenges for our elections team,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Organisers \u201chave had to carefully consider how it is printed, folded, posted and managed at polling stations\u201d, said Davidson.<\/p>\n

Peter Dorey, professor of British politics at Cardiff University, said of this by-election: \u201cMany hope that with the main parties not fielding a candidate, the smaller parties and independent candidates will have more chance of attracting media attention and winning more votes than would normally be the case. The number of candidates has been increased by the fact that The Monster Raving Loony Party is fielding three candidates. After all, August is known as \u2018the silly season!’\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AA mock-up of the unusually long Clacton by-election ballot paper (Photo: Tendring District Council)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"All eyes are on the seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea as Nigel Farage faces an unprecedented 33 other candidates…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":99920,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[4],"tags":[24760,39843,42132,95,14,408,5,6],"class_list":["post-99919","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-uk","tag-by-election","tag-clacton-on-sea","tag-laurence-fox","tag-nigel-farage","tag-politics","tag-reform-uk","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@UnitedKingdom\/117062188710265255","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99919","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=99919"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99919\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99920"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99919"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=99919"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=99919"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}