Nigel Farage's surprise decision to resign as MP for Clacton and stand again in the resulting byelection has taken an unexpected turn, with the novelty candidate Count Binface announcing he will challenge him.
Count Binface, whose real name is Jon Harvey, issued a statement saying: 'I will be a unity candidate and pledge to build at least one affordable house. Nigel Farage says he wants "the people versus the establishment". So be it. Leave him to me.' His policies include nationalising the singer Adele and capping the price of croissants at £1.
Binface, known for wearing a silver bin on his head, has become a media favourite since Tuesday. He has drawn comparisons to Martin Bell, the anti-sleaze candidate who defeated Neil Hamilton in 1997. However, he remains a mysterious figure; Nick Delves, known as Nick the Flying Brick, a Monster Raving Loony party activist, described an encounter at a vote count in Makerfield. 'He goes a bit funny if you use his real name,' Delves said. 'He told me he found someone in Makerfield to sort it. No one has ever seen him without the bin on his head.'
The mainstream parties have said they will not field candidates in the 'stunt' election, leaving Farage to face Binface and others. The Monster Raving Loony party intends to stand an array of oddly named candidates as well, with leader Howling Laud Hope explaining: 'Because we can.' The Daily Mail ran the headline 'Farage: Binface byelection is deadly serious', while an inside comment piece suggested: 'Farage is learning that when voters are shouting at you, it's bad. When they're laughing at you, it's over.'
Binface's appeal has extended internationally; in France he has been styled Comte Tête-de-poubelle, while in Spain he is El Conde Cubo de Basura. Raheem Kassam, a former adviser to Farage, has been investigating the candidate. Binface declined to speak to the Guardian unless in character, maintaining his enigmatic persona. Whether he can truly challenge Farage remains to be seen, but he has certainly captured the public imagination.
