How does an independent candidate get heard?
How does an independent candidate get heard when election coverage is dominated by famous politicians, political parties and novelty candidates?
The problem is not limited to national media
Since this media audit was originally published, the issue has become even more concerning.
Following the Clacton by-election hustings on 6 August, we have documented serious concerns about the way the principal local newspaper covered the election and presented its hustings report.
Fourteen candidates attended the public hustings and answered questions. Nigel Farage did not attend. Count Binface did not attend.
Yet the Gazette’s coverage gave very little meaningful information about many of the candidates who actually attended while the article was visually surrounded by repeated paid advertising for Nigel Farage.
Read: Local Press Fail On ImpartialityI am not asking for favourable coverage. I am asking to be heard.
I understand why major political names attract attention. I understand why unusual and satirical candidates create entertaining headlines.
But there are also serious independent candidates standing because they believe local people deserve something different.
I wanted to understand just how difficult it was for an Independent candidate without a national party machine, press office or famous name to reach voters.
So Clacton.org reviewed the media coverage.
What the coverage actually showed
From 12 July to 3 August 2026, I found 86 original articles and publisher pages covering the Clacton by-election.
Clacton.org media coverage audit
How the 86 reports covered my Independent candidacy
A wider problem for independent candidates
Without the support of a party press office, a national campaign team or an established political name, how are independent candidates supposed to reach voters?
A name buried in a candidate list is not enough.
Voters deserve to know who is asking for their support, why they are standing and what they would actually do if elected.
Elections should be about choice
There are 34 candidates standing in Clacton.
That should create one of the widest democratic choices the constituency has ever seen.
But if most coverage focuses on a small number of famous, controversial or entertaining candidates, serious local voices can disappear from the conversation entirely.
The result is that candidates backed by major organisations receive even greater visibility, while independents struggle to explain why they are standing.
How do we encourage more locally focused people to enter politics when they know they may never be given the opportunity to speak?
How do we create a Parliament that represents ordinary people when ordinary candidates cannot get noticed?
Why are people losing interest in politics?
There are many reasons for that, but one possible reason is that politics increasingly feels remote from normal life.
People see the same parties, the same personalities and the same arguments.
Election coverage can become more focused on performance, controversy and entertainment than on the people who actually want to represent the constituency.
When voters do not see people like themselves taking part, they may conclude that politics is not for them.
We should be showing people that Parliament is not reserved for political professionals, celebrities or those backed by powerful organisations.
Ordinary people with real experience, local knowledge and a commitment to their community should also have a voice.
National turnout source used in the original media release: House of Commons Library, General Election 2024 turnout.
Why I am standing
I am standing because I believe Clacton deserves an MP who puts local people first.
I am not standing to build a career in Westminster.
I am not controlled by a party whip.
I want to listen to the people of Clacton, raise the issues they care about and be judged on whether I deliver for them.
Healthcare and care
Better access to local services and stronger support for elderly, disabled and vulnerable residents.
Jobs and opportunity
More year-round work, useful training and realistic opportunities for local young people.
Housing and transport
Fairer housing decisions and transport that works for the people who depend on it.
Accessible representation
An MP who listens, holds regular surgeries and makes Clacton the priority.
I am standing because I am fed up with political parties promising change while so many ordinary people continue to feel unheard.
I believe Parliament needs more people with real lives, real experience and a genuine connection to the communities they represent.
An open invitation to journalists
I would welcome the opportunity to speak to any journalist covering the Clacton by-election.
Give voters the information they need to decide whether I deserve their support.
I am not asking for favourable coverage. I am asking to be heard.
The Clacton by-election has attracted national attention.
That attention provides an opportunity to show that democracy is bigger than famous names, party machines and political entertainment.
Journalists can help voters understand the full choice before them by giving serious independent candidates the opportunity to answer questions, explain their priorities and be judged on what they actually stand for.
Evidence: all 86 articles reviewed
This is the complete article register used for the media audit.
It contains every original article and publisher page counted in the research. Syndicated duplicates were not included in the total of 86.
Click any headline or URL to open the original source.
Articles 1 to 8
Articles 9 to 18
Articles 19 to 28
Articles 29 to 38
Articles 39 to 48
Articles 49 to 58
Articles 59 to 68
Articles 69 to 78
Articles 79 to 86
Source register: Clacton.org media coverage audit, covering original articles and publisher pages first published from 12 July to 3 August 2026.
Founder of Clacton.org
Notes: The media audit reviewed 86 original articles and publisher pages first published between 12 July and 3 August 2026. It recorded whether Martyn OBrien received substantive coverage, a name-only reference, no mention, or an unverified reference. Syndicated duplicate articles were not included in the total of 86. The 40.3% national non-voting figure used in the original release was sourced to House of Commons Library General Election 2024 turnout data.