- Count Binface is now running against Nigel Farage in the Clacton by-election.
- Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is standing again for his seat in Clacton following a scandal over undeclared gifts, including £5m from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne, which is being investigated by the parliamentary standards commissioner.
- Major parties have refused to field candidates in Clacton; Labour and the Tories have disdained Farage’s decision, with some describing the by-election as 'fake' and Keir Starmer calling it 'a desperate political stunt'.
- Binface previously ran against Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election in June, and has also fought elections against former PMs Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak.
- Count Binface’s policies include bringing back Ceefax, nationalising Adele, and conscripting anyone who plays loud music without headphones on public transport.
- Binface told *The Guardian*: 'If in the unlikely event that the humans of Clacton prefer me to old Nige, then I will do my very best to represent them.'
- If elected, Binface would have to remove his silver headpiece – MPs can’t wear headgear in the House of Commons – and a 1313 rule bans suits of armour, ruling out his intergalactic threads.
- Binface’s creator, Harvey, studied classics at Oxford and has written for shows like *Have I Got News for You* and Armando Iannucci’s political satire, honing his appreciation for Westminster’s weirdness.
Count Binface is taking on Nigel Farage in the Clacton by-election, with a campaign that includes quirky policies such as bringing back Ceefax, nationalising Adele, and conscripting loud music players on public transport.126
Major parties, including Labour and the Conservatives, have chosen not to field candidates, labeling the by-election a political stunt. Keir Starmer described it as “fake”, reflecting a rare consensus among the political establishment against Farage's candidacy.3
Binface, known for his previous attempts against high-profile politicians like Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, aims to represent the people of Clacton, stating, “If in the unlikely event that the humans of Clacton prefer me to old Nige, then I will do my very best to represent them”.45
His policies, while humorous, highlight a growing discontent with traditional political offerings. Should he win, he would face the challenge of adhering to parliamentary dress codes, which prohibit headgear and suits of armor in the House of Commons.
Binface's campaign is a reflection of the topsy-turvy nature of modern British politics, prompting questions about the state of democracy in the UK.
As the by-election approaches, all eyes will be on Clacton to see if humor can translate into political success.
“Farage faces an investigation over undeclared gifts, including £5m from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne, which he dismisses as a 'political tool'. Major parties have refused to field candidates, with Keir Starmer calling the by-election 'a desperate political stunt'.”
The Independent
