Residents in the Essex seat of Clacton are voting today in a by-election that features Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and a record number of other candidates. Farage resigned as the MP for Clacton at the start of July, forcing the by-election in an attempt to address complaints regarding gifts he received.
Farage is expected to face a formal investigation by the parliamentary standards watchdog, which began in May. This inquiry was suspended on 8 July following his decision to force the by-election and could restart as soon as Friday if he is re-elected.
The ballot paper for the Clacton by-election is the longest in British electoral history, with 34 candidates. All main parties have boycotted the by-election, stating they would not stand candidates for what they called a “media circus” and a “vanity project.”