The candidates standing in the Clacton by-election

The main Westminster parties have decided not to stand against Reform UK in the Clacton by-election. But plenty of other candidates have declared their intention to stand.

Here is the full list of those the BBC knows about - in alphabetical order by surname.

The complete candidate list will be published after close of nominations on 17 July.

Adham Alkhatip is an engineering student at Queen Mary University of London, who previously worked as a housekeeping assistant at a hospital in Birmingham.

Announcing his candidature on TikTok, Alkhatip said he would be standing on an "anti-corruption, pro-worker platform".

Real name Jon Harvey, Count Binface is a comedian and author who often participates in elections and by-elections - always in a silver dustbin costume.

He says he hopes to appeal to disillusioned voters. His policies include abolishing the House of Lords, banning the eating of noisy snacks in cinemas and scrapping VAR in football.

Cap is reported to be Stephen Newnham, who describes himself as an Essex-born tech founder.

He works in the crypto industry and has in the past spoken about the "brain drain" of technical talent from Britain.

In a post on social media, he says he is standing to support local entrepreneurs and encourage greater digital/AI education and financial literacy in schools.

Brother of former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, Piers Corbyn announced his decision to stand on his website.

He said he would be campaigning to stop British involvement in wars abroad, end compulsory vaccinations, halt net zero targets and scrap digital ID.

Rees Cowne runs a talent management company, plays the guitar and builds digital games.

On his website, he says he is not interested in being a politician but wants to "build a fair, powerful and economically serious Britain".

Among his policies are a promise to improve the high street, access to mental health services and to protect local beaches.

Robert Elwes describes himself as a tenant farmer who has previously taken part in Channel 5 reality show Rich House, Poor House.

In an email to the BBC, he talks about the impact of the recent government decision to make some farmers pay inheritance tax on their estates and says he wants to draw attention to other issues facing farmers.

Nigel Farage was elected MP for Clacton in 2024 but resigned in order to force this by-election.

He says he is asking for the public's support following allegations he did not properly declare donations from two businessmen.

A Parliamentary Standards Commissioner investigation into one of the donations has been suspended while the by-election takes place.

He says he has done nothing wrong.

Real name reportedly Paul Ellis, he is a site engineer from Doncaster who dresses as a rectangular piece of breaded fish.

He previously stood against Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron in Westmorland and Lonsdale in the 2017 General Election.

In an interview with the Sun, he said his message in the by-election would be: "Say tartare to Nige. You'll Findus much better."

The actor and political activist Laurence Fox set up the Reclaim Party in 2020.

Its website says it stands for patriotism, protecting Britain's borders and supporting working class communities.

He lives near West Mersea in Essex, and said on social media that "Clacton is my back yard" and "someone is going to have to provide a voice on the right".

Abi Hookway from Doncaster told the BBC she had experienced significant personal debt and had to rebuild her life to become a single mother and a successful property investor.

She says she is tired of watching politics become a battle of personalities and will campaign on the cost of living, housing, community safety and restoring trust in public life.

The 22-year-old from Essex told the BBC that she works in insurance and has never stood in an election before.

She says she is standing to protest against inheritance tax, which she calls "draconian and unfair".

Kai Stephens, who is 21 and from Norwich, says in a post on X that the far-right party is the only one that is serious, patriotic and "most importantly NATIONALIST".

The party was founded in 2011 by former members of the BNP.

John Stevens is deputy leader of the Rejoin EU Party and a former Conservative MEP.

On the party's website he says leaving the EU was "a historic national mistake... which is inflicting enormous, ongoing and accumulating damage upon our politics, our economy, our society and our culture".

Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? Contact us below.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.