Who is Count Binface, the man challenging Nigel Farage in the Clacton by-election?
At the moment, it looks like Count Binface will be the only candidate standing against Nigel Farage in the Clacton by-election.
Nigel Farage was looking to create a publicity stunt to help cement his political fortunes - instead the saga has descended into farce as he looks set to compete against a bin for his job.
Earlier this week the Reform UK leader resigned as the MP for Clacton, triggering a by-election he himself will stand in.
He said it would be a “people versus the establishment by-election”, but all of the main political parties are refusing to stand against him - meaning Count Binface is his only opposition.
He has been a staple of British elections for the past decade, but who exactly is Count Binface, the man taking on Mr Farage at his own game?
Who is Count Binface?
Dressed as a bin, Count Binface describes himself as an “intergalactic space warrior, leader of the Recyclons from Sigma IX and part-time politician on Earth” and claims to be 5,072 years old.
However if he does actually win this by-election, it is the man behind the bin who would actually take up the seat - Jon Harvey.
Mr Harvey is a comedian from Lewisham who is a former BBC writer who has written for shows such as Have I Got News For You and The Revolution Will Be Televised.
How long has Count Binface been around?
He has been standing in high-profile elections ever since he challenged former prime minister Theresa May as Lord Buckethead in 2017.
However, American filmmaker Todd Durham, who created Lord Buckethead for his 1984 science fiction film Hyperspace, made a copyright complaint against him, prompting Mr Harvey to rebrand his character as Count Binface.
He went on to stand against former prime minister Boris Johnston in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, where he was accused of splitting the Labour vote and allowing a Conservative victory.
Mr Harvey also stood against Rishi Sunak in Richmond and Northallerton at the 2024 general election and last month challenged Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election.
He also ran in the 2021 and 2024 London mayoral elections - in 2021, he won 92,896 votes and came ninth out of 20 candidates.
What is he standing for?
Count Binface does have some manifesto points, although most are a satirical take on British society.
In the past he has promised:
- Forcing Thames Water bosses to “take a dip in the Thames to see how they like it”
- Abolishing VAR in football matches and make sure corners are properly refereed
- Build at least one affordable home
- Ban “loud snacks” in theatres
- Demolish the Millenium Dome in favour of a nature reserve
- Rename London Bridge after actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge
- Bring back Ceefax
- Introduce a price cap on croissants and ensure ‘99 ice creams cost 99p
- Nationalising Adele
- Capping the price of kebabs in Wigan at £2
- Forcing cyclists who break the highway code to ride unicycles instead
- Making Claudia Winkleman’s fringe grade-1 listed.
What happens if Count Binface is actually elected?
The bookies currently have Mr Farage at 7/1 to win and Count Binface at 9/2.
Count Binface has also ruled out making a pact with the Official Monster Raving Loony Party for this by-election.
However, if Count Binface actually wins this by-election, it is unlikely he would be able to attend the House of Commons in character. It is Mr Harvey, not his character Count Binface that would be elected, and House of Commons rules state MPs must wear “business-like attire”, meaning his costume would most likely be barred.
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