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Count Binface: UK politics sees a new entry as 'joke' character vows to take on Nigel Farage
Calling himself the "only fresh thing on the menu," the trash-talking candidate is now in a prime position for the upcoming vote.
The surge in satirical outfits in politics has now reached the United Kingdom, where a man with a trash-can head has vowed to take on far-right candidate Nigel Farage.
Count Binface describes himself as an "intergalactic space warrior" and threw his hat in the ring after Nigel Farage's resignation triggered a snap vote for the seat of Clacton-on-Sea.
Calling himself the "only fresh thing on the menu," the trash-talking candidate is now in a prime position for the upcoming vote.
Who is behind Count Binface?
Under the trash can, body armour, and black cape of Count Binface is comedian Jon Harvey.
Harvey, who studied classics at Oxford University, has been a TV writer for several political comedies, reported the Associated Press. However, despite his identity being out in the open, Harvey sticks to "Count Binface".
Harvey's 'Binface' persona was created in 2018 after he contested to run for the House of Commons seat held by former Conservative Party leader and PM Theresa May.
During his contest with May, he was known as 'Lord Buckethead', and this landed the comedian in the middle of a copyright suit.
The use of Buckethead, borrowed from a “Star Wars” parody, ended in “an unfortunate battle on the planet Copyright," he told AP.
In 2018, he reincarnated as Count Binface.
A political push wrapped in humour
Despite the absurdity of Count Binface, the contender brings a series of pressing issues to the frontline along with humour.
Speaking to NPR, Binface also raised the issue of climate change alongside a quip of how "hot it was underneath his armour."
"Oh it's hot in here! Partly because of my armour, and partly because you're cooking the planet with human-made climate change. You idiots!" Binface told NPR during a press conference with global media.
“You’re all sick of these politicians, as good as they’re trying to be, but you know you need something different, a little bit of secret sauce," he further told reporters.
His manifestos also mix smart political satire with comedic promises to cap croissant prices, improve WiFi on UK trains and conscript people using speakerphones on public transport.
The 20-point plan also states that Binface will vow to "build at least one affordable house," to raise the tax of the rich, filling and fixing potholes, and to make Pluto a planet again.
Not the first election
This is not the first poll run for Count Binface. Count Binface contested against the former PM Boris Johnson in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip, at the 2019 general election.
The character contested the 2021 and 2024 London mayoral elections, and also stood against the former prime minister Rishi Sunak in Richmond and Northallerton at the 2024 general election.
Binface also stood at the 2026 Makerfield by-election, which was won by Andy Burnham, the current prime minister of the UK.
Now, the "can-head" is up against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage for the 2026 Clacton by-election.
Nigel Farage called for a by-election in Clacton-by-sea after he abruptly resigned from his seat, alleging that a witch-hunt had been launched against him.
Following Farage's allegations, major political parties have boycotted the by-election in southeastern England, paving the way for the rise of Count Binface.
While polls still give the Reform UK leader a clear victory with more than 70 percent of the vote, Binface continues to grab all the attention and could win as much as 20 percent.
In an "interplanetary address," Binface urged voters to cast their choice and take the "trash out" on August 13.
Former prime minister Keir Starmer also took one last dig at Farage in parliament, saying: "My advice to everyone is put your vote in the bin".
