Wildlife campaigner Rob Pownall, 27, will stand in the Clacton by-election dressed as a fox, joining Count Binface in an effort to unseat Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Pownall, founder of Protect the Wild, told Metro his candidacy aims to highlight Farage's record on animal wildlife and hunting.
Farce in Clacton as major parties sit out
Farage resigned as MP to force a by-election, claiming he wanted to prove his popularity after a series of financial scandals. However, the contest has descended into farce after all major parties refused to field candidates, leaving Count Binface as the dominant headline-grabber. Now Pownall adds a fox costume to the mix.
'The storyline of this by-election is one of the most famous politicians of a generation standing for parliament against a man with a bin on his head. Now he is going to have to do the same with a man in a fox costume. It is funny and silly. But the difference between me and Count Binface is there is a serious cause behind what I am doing,' Pownall said.
Personal attack on Farage's hunting stance
Pownall is making the contest personal, targeting Farage's support for fox hunting. Farage branded ministers 'authoritarian control freaks' over plans to ban trail hunting and attended a hunt last Christmas. Trail hunting involves laying a scent for hounds, but campaigners say foxes are still killed.
'The framing of this whole election is Farage vs the establishment. That pisses me off beyond belief. You cannot get any more establishment than Farage, who supports fox hunting. How can you claim to be this man of the people, when he supports a pastime that involve ripping apart animals?' Pownall said.
Reform's policies under fire
Pownall also fears Farage would back other blood sports like bird shooting. He points to Reform's 2024 manifesto 'Our Contract with You', which pledged to protect 'country sports' – a euphemism for hunting and shooting. Reform also pledged to scrap over 6,700 retained EU laws, including environmental protections, and to abandon net zero targets while fast-tracking North Sea oil and gas licences.
'I am standing to ensure British wildlife gets a voice. This is a good opportunity to put these issues on the map,' Pownall added.
Previous stunts and crowded field
Pownall previously stood as a giant gannet in the Scottish Parliament election and as a fox in the Makerfield by-election against Andy Burnham. He admitted being 'burnt out' after two elections in three months and plans to do 'as little as possible' in Clacton. He also said it would be 'funny' if Count Binface won, as some pollsters predict.
The fox costume is not to be confused with Laurence Fox of the Reclaim Party, also standing. Additionally, Howling Laud Hope, leader of the Monster Raving Loony Party, will contest the seat next month.
Farage's resignation and scandals
Farage announced his resignation earlier this week to force a by-election, saying he wanted to 'stick two fingers up to the entire establishment'. This followed a speech attacking the media and Parliament for investigating his finances. The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner is probing whether he failed to declare a £5 million 'gift' from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne in January 2024.
In recent weeks, Farage faced questions about his five properties and links to criminal aristocrat George Cottrell. Labour asked the Electoral Commission to investigate whether Farage broke electoral law by failing to declare gifts from Cottrell. A Sunday Times investigation reported that Cottrell personally hired people to boost Farage's social media presence, which was then used to champion Reform UK.
Reform UK has been contacted for comment.
