Figure who have backed Count Binface against Nigel Farage in Clacton by-election
Count Binface, a self-described “space politician” and staunch advocate of 99p flake ice creams, is attracting unprecedented national attention ahead of the Clacton by-election.
British screenwriter Jonathan David Harvey has run as an innovation candidate in six different election cycles since 2019.
These include the 2019 general election, the 2021 and 2024 London mayoral races and the last by-election in Makerfield, which saw Prime Minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham elected.
The satirical figure’s popularity soared following Nigel Farage’s resignation as MP and subsequent announcement of a by-election.
Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and Restore Britain all refused to nominate candidates in the by-election, calling it a “spectacle” and leaving Count Binface as the Reform leader’s main opposition.
A further eight challengers are in the running, including four independent candidates and candidates from the Forward Party, Reclaim, Balanced Britain Party and British Democrats.
The news comes as the Reform England leader is under increasing pressure as scrutiny mounts on his financial affairs, including questions over a £5 million gift from cryptocurrency billionaire and party donor Christopher Harborne.
Who supports Count Binface?
The Ipsos poll found that in a neck-and-neck election between the two candidates, 33 per cent of British adults said they would prefer Count Binface to win, while just 21 per cent would support the Reform UK leader.
Within 24 hours of Mr Farage’s resignation, more than 5,000 people donated to Count Binface’s emergency campaign fund, raising more than £15,000 to cover his deposit and leaflet costs.
Count Binface has support from across the political spectrum, as the self-described “intergalactic space warrior” is currently the most obvious alternative to Mr Farage.
Andy Burnham
Following his successful campaign in Makerfield, Mr Burnham is now the only person in the running to become the next Labor leader.
The future prime minister shared a photo of two people shaking hands on social media platform X, adding the following caption to the post: “It is always valuable to know when two days are.”
He later wrote: “I will not talk politics tonight except to say to you: Count Binface, you carry the hopes of the nation. Do not let us down.”
dale vince
Dale Vince, a well-known climate campaigner and political donor, owns Forest Green Rovers football club. The world’s first vegan football club.
He is known for supporting environmental causes and progressive candidates, and the green energy mogul has donated to both Labor and the Green Party and has endorsed politicians from both parties.
To talk TelegramThe Count has since pledged an open-ended financial commitment to Binface’s campaign, stating: “I want Binface to win, and if it works for him, I’m willing to support him morally, verbally and financially.”
What do other politicians say?
Count Binface managed to attract the attention of many other politicians and created a large amount of controversy. Even though they don’t fully support him, here’s what they say.
Keir Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer, who announced in May that he would step down as prime minister following a series of controversies including the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, is expected to officially resign on July 20.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Türkiye this week, the current Labor Party leader was asked about his thoughts on Count Binface.
Sir Keir responded with a wry smile and said: “I think endorsing another party is actually against Labor rules. [candidate].”
Kemi Badenoch
The Conservative Party leader went on Sky News to praise Count Binface as the ultimate democratic candidate for Clacton voters.
He said of the by-election: “Nigel Farage likes to claim that this race is about the people versus the establishment.
“Well, if it is the establishment here, then Binface might as well be the public in this context.”
Rachel Reeves
Although the chancellor has since declared the by-election a “farce”, he has refused to stop it going ahead, saying if Mr Farage “wants to spend the summer arguing with a dustbin, I won’t stop him”.
With the Clacton by-election on August 13, voters will decide whether the satirical candidate’s latest challenge is more than just comic relief.
