Who is Count Binface – the alien space warrior standing against Brexit champion Nigel Farage?
In a week when the race to become Britain’s next prime minister is effectively a one-horse race, there seems to be more suspense in another contest pitting Brexit champion Nigel Farage against a comedian going viral online. Is this a joke too far for Brits and their famous sense of humour?
It’s easy to look across the Atlantic and despair at the state of American politics under Donald Trump, but the Old Continent has its fair share of shenanigans.
Brexit champion, prominent Eurosceptic, fervent Trump supporter and leader of right-wing populist party Reform UK Nigel Farage has regularly made headlines for his antics, the most recent being his resignation as an MP to trigger a by-election in his Clacton constituency.
Farage claimed an “establishment stitch-up" after facing scrutiny over an unregistered £5 million donation from a cryptocurrency tycoon and gifts from a convicted criminal.
Many have seen this move on his part as a way to dodge the investigation by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner and distract from the serious allegations regarding Farage's funders.
Still, by standing in the resulting by-election, Farage will attempt to win his seat back.
Major political parties have all refused to field candidates in the by-election dubbed by Farage as a “people versus the establishment” fight.
Outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the move was a “desperate stunt,” Green leader Zack Polanski branded it a “circus”, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described the race as "fake" and accused Farage of having a “hissy fit”.
As for Chancellor Rachel Reeves, she said: "It is a farce and a desperate distraction, and the people of Clacton deserve better. But if he wants to spend the summer arguing with a bin, I won’t stop him."
A bin?
Yes. You read correctly. The refusal from the other parties to field candidates has resulted in boosted odds for a joke candidate who is considered Farage’s main – and currently only - opponent in the by-election.
His name? Count Binface.
He looks like this:
So, instead of facing the “establishment”, Farage will face off against a man with a rubbish bin on his face.
While this may seem incongruous or downright absurd, it isn’t unheard of. The UK have a long and proud tradition of novelty candidates, with the likes of Screaming Lord Sutch, Captain Beany, Lord Toby Jug or Howling Laud Hope as notable eccentrics who have run as parody candidates in elections as a form of satire or protest. Plus, the British have always shone when it comes to embracing silliness and leaning into self-deprication – as exemplified by some strange outfits and props over the years.
And now, the hopes of a nation hang on the Darth Vader-shaped shoulders of Count Binface, who is going viral online and amassing followers.
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