A record 34 candidates have been confirmed for the Clacton constituency by-election, believed to be the largest field ever for a United Kingdom parliamentary election. Voters will go to the polls on 13 August 2026 following Nigel Farage's resignation as MP on 7 July.
The new record surpasses the previous high of 26 candidates set at Haltemprice and Howden in July 2008 by eight. Farage, who surrendered his seat to force the by-election, is the only candidate representing a party with Westminster representation.
Britain's main political parties — Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens — are boycotting the contest, leaving Farage to face 33 opponents from smaller parties and independent candidates.