Count Binface receives over a quarter of votes in Clacton by-election
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Count Binface received 26.9% of votes in Clacton by-election, his best ever result.
The intergalactic space warrior Count Binface (comedian Jon Harvey) received 9,455 votes (26.9%) in the Clacton by-election, coming second to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's 22,239 votes (63.3%). The main UK parties boycotted the election. Binface previously stood against prime ministers Theresa May (249 votes), Boris Johnson (69), and Rishi Sunak (308), and against Andy Burnham (95). The UK tradition of novelty candidates dates to Screaming Lord Sutch; candidates need only a £500 deposit and 10 signatures. Binface lost his deposit each time by failing to reach 5% of votes, but benefits from the tradition of all candidates appearing together on stage at the count.
What commenters are saying
Most commenters saw the result as a symbolic blow to Farage: Binface won more votes than the 10% of electorate needed for a recall petition. Many noted Farage created the by-election himself after resigning over a standards investigation, and that his win cost Reform money and attention. A minority called the BBC article spin on a Reform win, but others countered that Farage's victory was hollow. One commenter expected Binface to swear in wearing normal clothes if elected, citing rules against obstructive hats in Parliament.