https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-60232228
3 of the 4 sensible parties abstained from fielding candidates.
The fourth for obvious reasons fielded a candidate who, had wisdom prevailed, should have got in unopposed.
But 7 of the loony parties (including UKIP I see) fielded candidates, so a by-election was needed – what a total waste of public money.
The loonies should be ashamed of themselves, especially since they didn’t have any hope of being elected.