- Count Binface finished second in the Clacton by-election with 9,455 votes.
- A record 34 candidates stood in the contest, but Binface and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage were the only contenders to secure more than 500 votes.
- The election was triggered by Farage's resignation as an MP in July, with the other major UK parties boycotting the election.
- Before Clacton, Binface's best result was 308 votes in the 2024 general election when he stood against then-prime minister Rishi Sunak in Richmond and Northallerton.
- With more candidates on the ballot than ever before, 26.9% of voters chose a man wearing a bin.
- Voter Ben Peters, 18, from Holland-on-Sea, described the election as a "joke" and felt it was pointless as he believed Farage would win.
- Binface's policies included nationalising Adele, moving a pub handryer in Uxbridge, and enforcing a 99p price tag on ice creams with 99 flakes.
- Ben Peters stated that voting for Count Binface for 99p ice creams was a step forward compared to Farage's contributions.
- Alex Greenwood acknowledged some of Binface's policies were "a bit silly," but argued there was an underlying logic to them.
- Greenwood suggested his vote was partially a protest against Farage, adding: "I do like Binface. I don't like Farage all that too much."
Count Binface secured a surprising second place in the Clacton by-election, garnering 9,455 votes as a protest against Nigel Farage, who resigned as MP. The election saw a record 34 candidates competing, with only Binface and Farage receiving over 500 votes.121112
Voter sentiment reflected a mix of humor and discontent. First-time voter Ben Peters, 18, described the election as a "joke," yet felt compelled to vote for Binface, stating, "Even if it means voting for Count Binface and getting 99p ice creams for 99 flakes, that is one more step than Nigel Farage has ever done for Clacton."679
Another voter, Alex Greenwood, acknowledged the silliness of some policies but argued there was logic behind them, saying, "Nationalising Adele... why not have all that money go to the government which could be used on the NHS and stuff."810
The election was triggered by Farage's resignation in July, leading to a boycott by major UK parties. Binface's humorous platform, including policies like 99p ice creams, resonated with voters looking for an alternative to traditional politics. As one voter noted, the election was a chance to express dissatisfaction with Farage, stating, "I do like Binface. I don't like Farage all that too much."3
“Binface's 9,455 votes came from 26.9% of the electorate, as a record 34 candidates stood. First-time voter Ben Peters called the election a 'joke' but voted for Binface, saying it was 'one more step than Nigel Farage has ever done for Clacton.'”
BBC
