The Rise of the Fringe: What the Clacton By Election Says About Britain's Politics The Clacton by election has devolved into chaos, with 34 candidates vying for the seat and an electorate faced with the longest ballot paper in British electoral history.
This is a quintessential example of British democracy in action – or rather, not quite in action, but more like a chaotic free for all.
The sheer number of candidates, including 20 independents and 12 party representatives from across the spectrum, is staggering.