Count Binface has released his 20-point 'manifesto' for the Clacton-on-Sea by-election, taking aim at Nigel Farage with three specific pledges. The comedy candidate described the August 13 vote as 'a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity'.
His first promise is to boost the region's 'economy, prestige and fame', while the second pledges to cut constituents' taxes and raise everyone else's. Three of the 20 pledges directly target Reform UK's leader, including promising to spend more time in Clacton-on-Sea than Washington DC, barring MPs who resign mid-parliament from the resulting by-election, and not accepting £5million 'gifts' from crypto billionaires 'on earth'.
Farage's resignation and scrutiny
Mr Farage resigned as MP for Clacton after intense scrutiny over undeclared gifts and financial support before he was first elected to the seat in July 2024. The main Westminster parties are boycotting the contest, making the masked novelty candidate Count Binface his highest-profile opponent.
Reform UK's leader said he would fight a 'people versus the establishment' by-election. Mr Farage was being investigated by the Commons standards watchdog over the undeclared £5m gift from Reform donor Christopher Harborne before he entered Parliament. He has strenuously denied any wrongdoing and said the money was needed to fund the security he requires as a result of multiple threats against him.
Time in Clacton and opposition
Critics of Mr Farage have also repeatedly alleged he did not spend much time in Clacton when he was MP, claims which the politician has also repeatedly rejected. Mr Farage won Clacton comfortably in 2024 with a majority of 8,405 and taking 46.2% of the vote. He now faces opponents including three from the Official Monster Raving Loony Party and an array of independents.
Writer and comedian Jon Harvey is the man underneath Count Binface's costume. He previously conceded he will probably not win in the Essex seat. Asked by the BBC if he thought he could win the by-election, Count Binface said: 'Probably not, but then you know my job is to celebrate and defend the wonders of British democracy.'
Full list of candidates
The candidates for the Clacton constituency are: Joseph 77 (Independent), Adham Alkhatip (The Forward Party), Count Binface (Count Binface Party), Nick The Incredible Flying Brick (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party), Tony Cane (Independent), Woke Trump Carrzee (Independent), William Stuart James Clouston (Social Democratic Party), Rees Cowne (Independent), Glenn Charles Cummings (Independent), Martin Davies (Freedom Alliance – Real People, Real Alternative!), Andy Erlam (Independent), Nigel Farage (Reform UK), Attieh Fard (Independent), Laurence Fox (The Reclaim Party), Tony Francis (Independent), Robin Green (Independent), Abi Hookway (Independent), Howling Laud Hope (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party), Stephen Richard Ingram (Independent), Amy Morris (Independent), Derrick Norbert Morris (Independent), Michael Noel O’Keeffe (Independent), Martyn OBrien (Independent), Nick Pelas (Independent), Ketankumar Pipaliya (UK VOICE safer and stronger UK), Daniel Pocock (Independent), James Ransley (Consensus Party Candidate), Gerry Smith (Independent), Kai Stephens (British Democrats), John Stevens (Rejoin EU), Baron Von Thunderclap (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party), Pamela Walford (Independent), Marcus White (Everyone is God Party), and Marc Wilkinson (Independent).
