Count Binface has launched his manifesto for the Clacton by-election, vowing not to accept large sums from crypto billionaires and calling for Wayne Rooney to become a Eurovision pundit.
Key pledges
The parody candidate also proposed that MPs who resign mid-Parliament should be barred from the resulting by-election, a move that would block Reform UK leader Nigel Farage from standing. Binface said: 'I will not accept £5million gifts from crypto billionaires (on Earth).' He also wants Rooney, who recently dismissed a World Cup half-time show as 'crap' during a live broadcast, to provide expert commentary for the BBC at Eurovision.
Farage's crypto controversy
Farage triggered the by-election while under investigation by Parliament's standards commissioner over a £5m gift from Thailand-based crypto tycoon Christopher Harborne. The investigation is expected to resume if Farage wins the August 13 poll. Farage insists the gift was personal with no strings attached, but faces questions after Reform proposed cutting capital gains tax on crypto transactions.
Other Binface proposals
Binface, real name Jonathan Harvey, also called for capping bus fares at £1.99, a 99p cap on 99 Flake ice creams, a windfall tax on celebrity-written cosy crime novels, filling potholes with the Labour Party manifesto, and making arcade claw machines fairer. He offered himself as the UK's Eurovision entry for 2027, to be held in Clacton, and reiterated older pledges like bringing back Ceefax and nationalising Adele.
Criticism of the by-election
Former Chancellor Rachel Reeves described the race as 'a farce and a desperate distraction' but said she would not block it, adding: 'If he wants to spend the summer arguing with a bin, I won't stop him.' The contest lost credibility when a candidate dressed as a fox withdrew, saying it had become too silly. Polling by 38 Degrees and Survation found 52% of voters believe Farage called the by-election to divert attention from the standards probe; even a third of current Reform voters think he is avoiding scrutiny. Veronica Hawking, Campaigns Director at 38 Degrees, said: 'The British public don’t suffer fools gladly. They see this by-election for what it is: an attempt by Nigel Farage to avoid scrutiny and accountability that all our politicians should be held to.'
