[6] The Batley-born actress Tracy Brabin and the Keighley-based[7] campaigner, Jane Thomas, were shortlisted for selection on 19 September.

[10] On 18 July, the English Democrats announced that its deputy chairman, Therese Hirst, a former leader of Veritas, would be its candidate.

[12] The British National Party (BNP) chose David Furness, who had earlier that year received 0.5% of votes in the London mayoral election.

[13] The National Front chose the veteran campaigner Richard Edmonds, a perennial candidate for them and the BNP who came last with 49 votes in Carshalton and Wallington in the 2015 general election.

[13] On 18 June 2016, Liberty GB announced that Jack Buckby, a former BNP politician, would be its candidate in the by-election.

[14] Liberty GB registered the description "No to terrorism, yes to Britain", which appeared on the ballot paper instead of the party name.

Brabin held the seat for Labour on one of the lowest turnouts for a parliamentary by-election since the end of the Second World War.