Count Binface, a self-described 'independent space warrior' with a bin for a face, has emerged as the main challenger to Nigel Farage in the Clacton by-election. Farage, the Reform UK leader, announced he would quit as an MP to fight a 'people versus the establishment' by-election in his Essex constituency. However, all major political parties have said they will not field candidates, with Green leader Zack Polanski branding it a 'circus'. The only contender so far is Count Binface.
Who Is Behind the Bin?
The man behind the bin is Jon Harvey, a comedian from Lewisham. He created Count Binface and has been standing in elections since 2017, initially challenging Theresa May's constituency as Lord Buckethead. After a copyright complaint from American film-maker Todd Durham, who created Lord Buckethead for his 1984 film Hyperspace, Harvey rebranded as a bin. Count Binface is described as an 'intergalactic space warrior, leader of the Recyclons from Sigma IX and part-time politician on Earth'.
He has stood in several elections, including in Boris Johnson's former seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip, where he claimed to have split the Labour vote and caused the Tory victory. He also stood against Rishi Sunak in Richmond and Northallerton at the 2024 general election and challenged Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election last month. In 2021 and 2024, he ran in the London mayoral elections.
What Are His Policies?
Binface has a wide-ranging manifesto. He has vowed to force Thames Water bosses to 'take a dip in the Thames to see how they like it', in reference to sewage being pumped into the river. He also wants VAR in football matches abolished and promises to 'build at least one affordable house'. His 2024 London manifesto included a ban on 'loud snacks' from theatres and plans to demolish the Millennium Dome for a nature reserve. London Bridge would be renamed after actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Ceefax would be brought back. Ice-cream and croissant prices should also be capped, he has said.
Can He Win?
Count Binface is the only candidate to declare he will take on Farage in Clacton so far. Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens, and Restore Britain have all said they will not field candidates. Green leader Zack Polanski said his party would not participate in a 'circus', while Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused Farage of having a 'hissy fit'. Binface himself conceded he will probably not win. Asked if he could be victorious, he told the BBC: 'Probably not, but then you know my job is to celebrate and defend the wonders of British democracy. And look at this, eh? 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. Are they running scared from old Binny, or do they think that Nigel’s running a cunning stunt? And I pronounced that carefully at 8.55 in the morning.'
