Count Binface, the novelty candidate from outer space, has become the only challenger to Nigel Farage in the upcoming Clacton-on-Sea by-election after major political parties ruled themselves out. The intergalactic candidate, who recently stood in the Makerfield by-election won by Andy Burnham, has conceded he will probably not win but says his role is to celebrate British democracy.
Farage resigns amid financial scrutiny
Nigel Farage resigned as MP for Clacton-on-Sea yesterday afternoon amid intense scrutiny over financial support from a convicted fraudster and a £5 million gift from a Reform UK donor. He announced he would stand again in the by-election, accusing the media of harassment and claiming standards investigations are being used as a political tool.
Major parties boycott the by-election
Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, and Restore Britain have all said they will not contest the by-election. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described Farage's resignation as a 'hissy fit' and said he was 'cracking under pressure'. Sir Keir Starmer called it a 'desperate stunt', adding: 'He is up to his neck in sleaze.'
Count Binface steps forward
Count Binface, whose real name is Jon Harvey, told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: 'Probably not, but then you know my job is to celebrate and defend the wonders of British democracy. The fact that you are interviewing me on the Today Programme, because all the other parties aren’t standing, says more about them than it does about me.'
Farage's resignation suspends Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Daniel Greenberg’s investigation into his finances, but it will resume if Farage wins the by-election and returns to Parliament.
