Nine candidates to stand in Southend West by-election
The poll comes after the murder of former MP Sir David Amess
Last updated 12th Jan 2022
A total of nine candidates are set to contest the Southend West by-election to fill the seat left vacant by murdered MP Sir David Amess.
Sir David had held the seat for the Conservatives since 1997 until he was fatally stabbed October last year.
Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and Reform UK have all decided not to field candidates as a mark of respect.
Major parties also opted to stand aside in the 2016 Batley and Spen by-election following the murder of Labour's Jo Cox.
The full list of candidates for Southend West is as follows:
Christopher Anderson - Freedom Alliance
Catherine Blaiklock - English Democrats
Olga Childs - Independent
Ben Downton - Heritage Party
Anna Firth - Conservative Party
Jayda Fransen - Independent
Steve Laws - UKIP
Graham Moore - English Constitution Party
Jason Pilley - Psychedelic Movement
Voters in Southend West will go to the polls on Thursday 3rd February, with polling stations open between 7am and 10pm.
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