- Nigel Farage triggered a by-election in Clacton after resigning as an MP, with the vote scheduled for 13 August.
- Major political parties, including Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, and Greens, have announced they will not field candidates, accusing Farage of orchestrating a "fake by-election" to divert attention.
- Farage is currently under investigation by the Commons standards watchdog concerning an undeclared £5 million gift from a Reform donor and faces a potential second probe regarding security funding from a convicted fraudster.
- Senior politicians, including Kemi Badenoch and Sir Ed Davey, criticised Farage's move, with Badenoch stating the Conservatives will not participate in a by-election designed to distract from ongoing investigations.
- The absence of major party candidates means the by-election will be contested by a diverse group of independent and smaller party candidates, including satirical figures like Count Binface and representatives from parties such as Reclaim and the Monster Raving Loony Party.
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