Count Binface given major boost in upcoming clash with Nigel Farage | Politics | News
Nigel Farage. (Image: Getty)
New Defense Secretary Dan Jarvis has wished Count Binface “good luck” in the Clacton by-election triggered by Nigel Farage’s resignation. Comedian Jon Harvey, who regularly competes under the moniker Count Binface, has confirmed he will enter the competition.
Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and Restore Britain refused to nominate candidates. The Reform UK leader said he would re-contest the seat of Essex in the by-election, which he described as “against the people and the order”.
Count Binface and Andy Burnham (Image: Getty)
Facing increased scrutiny and a parliamentary inquiry into his finances, Mr Farage said “the people of Clacton should be the judge of my actions”.
Describing the election as a “waste of time”, Mr Jarvis said the Reform boss was “in real trouble”.
“This is clearly a ploy to try to get ahead of concerns expressed about Nigel accepting the £5 million,” he said.
“We’ll see what the standards commissioner decides. I think he understands the strength of the sentiment that I feel in my electorate, which is interestingly from the bottom up.”
“I think he felt like he was in real trouble and took action to prevent it.”
Speaking in Ankara, where he was attending a NATO summit, Mr Jarvis added: “I don’t think it worked out very well for him. I don’t think it was well received. I’ve had some pretty interesting feedback from my constituents that it’s a complete circus and a complete waste of time.”
“Looks like Count Binface will step forward and good luck to him.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said her party would not participate in “fake elections where Nigel Farage distracts people from what’s going on”.
The Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to block Farage’s resignation until the standards inquiry is concluded, arguing that voters need “all the facts before they vote”.
Restore Britain, founded by suspended Reform MP Rupert Lowe, has said it will not stand in this election but will do so if a second by-election is triggered by the standards inquiry.
The Green Party of England and Wales initially said it would be the local party’s decision.
Green MP Hannah Spencer later told BBC Newsnight that local members had decided not to put forward a candidate.
Mr Farage said his party had offered to cover the costs of the byelection, normally paid from central Government funds.
The government’s 2016 estimate puts the cost of the by-election at £228,964, although this figure will have increased since then.
Dan Jarvis. (Image: Getty)
Mr Farage won the Clacton constituency in the 2024 General Election, securing a healthy majority of more than 8,000 and leaving the Conservatives in second place. The Labor Party came third, followed by the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party.
He has been under investigation by Parliament’s standards commissioner, Daniel Greenberg, since May for failing to declare a £5 million gift he received from billionaire Reform donor Christopher Harborne before becoming an MP.
The standards commissioner’s investigation was paused following Farage’s resignation, but could be restarted if he wins the by-election and returns to Parliament.
One possible outcome of the investigation is suspension, which triggers a recall petition.
This process allows an MP to be removed from office, and if 10% of eligible registered voters sign a petition, a new by-election will be triggered.
