Clacton By-Election Candidate Profile
Tony Francis
“Be heard. Be represented.”
Former police officer, Christian community campaigner and previous parliamentary candidate. Tony Francis is standing as an Independent with a campaign focused on local service, community renewal and practical action.
Candidate photo published through Democracy Club.
At a glance
Who is Tony Francis?
Tony Francis is one of the Independent candidates standing in the Clacton parliamentary by-election on 13 August 2026. His campaign uses the RevivalUK.UK banner, but his official ballot description is Independent.
Local connection
Longstanding links to the area, but outside the constituency boundary
What Tony says
Tony states openly that he lives just outside the Clacton constituency boundary. He says, however, that his connection with the Tendring coast goes back almost his whole life.
His published biography describes childhood visits to Clacton and Frinton, rugby connections, later family visits, police service in the area, church involvement and community work across Clacton, Frinton, Walton and Jaywick.
Clacton.org assessment
Local connection: strong. Tony does not claim to live inside the constituency and we think that distinction should be clear to voters.
At the same time, his published record describes decades of involvement with communities in and around the constituency rather than a connection created only for this by-election.
A personal view from Martyn OBrien
My impression of Tony
Like me, Tony is standing as an Independent and appears far more interested in local people and local issues than simply following a national party line. We are both candidates, so voters should make up their own minds, but my personal experience of Tony has been positive.” Martyn OBrien, Independent candidate for Clacton
Background and service
Police, church and community work
Police service
Tony says he served as a police officer in the constituency, first on summer support duties as a uniformed constable and later as a sergeant running teams of constables and detectives from Clacton.
Church and faith
He says he has been an active member of Frinton Free Church for sixteen years, with involvement in security, Alpha, men’s ministry and wider community life.
Addiction and support
His biography describes work alongside people affected by alcoholism and addiction, including AA conventions and a cross-addiction conference in Jaywick.
What he stands for
Tony’s published priorities for Clacton
Tony’s campaign is more values-led and local than party-political. His current published priorities concentrate on listening, local renewal, public services, accountability and practical support.
Revive the coastal economy
Bring more visitors, jobs and opportunity to the coast, support local enterprise and make better use of the area’s existing assets.
Major tourism investment
He says Clacton should be open to major resort investment where appropriate, including the possibility of a name such as Butlin’s or another large operator.
Healthier, safer communities
Better access to health services, cleaner streets, effective local services and communities that feel safe and cared for.
Opportunities for young people
More routes into work, enterprise, practical skills and community involvement so younger residents can build a future locally.
Compassion backed by action
Practical support for veterans, older residents, people facing addiction and people he believes are too easily allowed to fall through the cracks.
Accountability for public money
Measure outcomes, reward good work and require contractors or public bodies to put poor work right rather than repeatedly charging taxpayers for failure.
Protect local identity
Protect the coast and the distinct character of Clacton, Frinton, Walton, Jaywick, St Osyth and the surrounding communities while pursuing renewal.
Listen before acting
His core promise is to begin with residents’ experiences and concerns rather than arriving with a fixed party programme.
Jaywick and community renewal
Tony argues that Jaywick should be seen for its people and potential as well as its problems, with local enterprise, belonging and rehabilitation forming part of renewal.
Beyond the election
What is RevivalUK.UK?
RevivalUK.UK is the banner around Tony’s campaign and a wider community project he says is intended to continue after the election. It describes itself as Christian-inspired, open to everyone, rooted in service and focused on action.
The idea is built around three stages: listening to people, considering what practical help or resources can be brought together, and then acting.
Tony presents churches, businesses, government, voluntary organisations and individuals as all having a role in community renewal.
Faith and public service
Faith is a visible part of Tony’s campaign. His own wording is that his faith guides how he serves but does not decide whom he serves.
The movement talks about compassion, responsibility, dignity, stewardship, community, practical skills, mentoring, rehabilitation and belonging.
Clacton.org analysis
AI political position estimate: Centre
Tony’s published material does not fit neatly into a traditional left-right party label. The strongest description is localist and communitarian, with a Christian social outlook and a practical public-service emphasis.
Why Centre?
His campaign combines themes often associated with different parts of politics: community responsibility and local identity, support for business and accountability, alongside rehabilitation, healthcare access, homelessness and practical support for vulnerable residents.
What is still unclear?
In the material reviewed for this page, Tony has not published a detailed national programme covering many of the issues that normally make a left-right classification easier, such as tax rates, immigration levels, defence, welfare reform or constitutional policy.
This does not mean he has no views on those subjects. It means we have not used assumptions to fill gaps in his published Clacton campaign.
Stood before
Tony has previously stood for Parliament
Tony Francis stood as an Independent in Harwich and North Essex at the 2019 General Election. UK Parliament records 411 votes, equal to 0.8% of the vote.
| Year | Election | Party | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Harwich and North Essex General Election | Independent | 411 votes, 0.8%, not elected |
| 2026 | Clacton Parliamentary By-Election | Independent | Standing |
Candidate supplied campaign material
Tony Francis election leaflet
Tony supplied this leaflet directly to Clacton.org. We are publishing it in full so voters can read his own campaign material rather than relying only on our summary.
Tony Francis election leaflet. Supplied directly by Tony Francis for publication by Clacton.org.
Sources and transparency
Sources and further information
This profile separates Tony’s own statements from independent election records and Clacton.org editorial analysis. Where a claim comes from Tony’s own biography, it is presented as his account rather than independently proven fact.
- Tony Francis election leaflet
Supplied directly by Tony Francis to Clacton.org. - RevivalUK.UK, Tony’s Story
revivaluk.uk/tony-story.html - RevivalUK.UK, Election Campaign
revivaluk.uk/election.html - RevivalUK.UK, Vision and Priorities
revivaluk.uk/priorities.html - Who Can I Vote For / Democracy Club
Candidate profile and election history - UK Parliament, 2019 General Election
Harwich and North Essex result - Essex Police Memorial Trust
Acting Sergeant Brian “Bill” Bishop - Tendring District Council
Official Clacton by-election candidate announcement
Clacton.org Candidate Coverage: Clacton.org supports Independent candidate Martyn OBrien, but we believe Clacton voters should be able to find useful information about every candidate on the ballot.
Candidate-supplied material is identified as such. Editorial analysis, including the political-position estimate, is labelled separately. Tony Francis is welcome to request a correction, provide further information or respond to anything on this page.
Profile reviewed and updated 8 August 2026. Contact Clacton.org