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'Running scared?' - Binface sole rival to Farage in Clacton vote
๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช Ireland /Elections & Politics

'Running scared?' - Binface sole rival to Farage in Clacton vote

From RTร‰ News · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Novelty candidate Count Binface is the sole challenger to Nigel Farage in a Clacton bye-election.
  • Major parties including Labour, Conservatives, and the Green Party are not fielding candidates, leading to accusations of a

Count Binface, a novelty candidate known for his satirical approach to politics, has emerged as the sole challenger to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage in the upcoming Clacton bye-election. Farage triggered the vote by resigning his parliamentary seat.

Probably not, but then you know my job is to celebrate and defend the wonders of British democracy.

โ€” Count BinfaceWhen asked by BBC Radio 4's Today Programme if he thought he could win the bye-election.

The decision by major parties, including Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party, not to contest the election has drawn criticism. Malcolm Offord, leader of Reform UK in Scotland, suggested these parties are "running scared" from Farage, viewing the election as an opportunity to "knock him out the ring." A Labour spokesperson labeled the bye-election a "circus," while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the race "fake."

The fact that you are interviewing me ... because all the other parties arenโ€™t standing, says more about them than it does about me.

โ€” Count BinfaceCommenting on the lack of other candidates in the Clacton bye-election.

Count Binface, whose real identity is comedian Jonathan David Harvey, acknowledged he is unlikely to win. However, he stated his purpose is to "celebrate and defend the wonders of British democracy." He suggested the lack of other candidates "says more about them than it does about me," questioning if they fear him or if Farage is employing a "cunning stunt."

Are they running scared from old Binny, or do they think that Nigelโ€™s running a cunning stunt?

โ€” Count BinfaceQuestioning the motives of other parties not standing in the election.

Farage himself is currently facing scrutiny over an undeclared ยฃ5 million gift from a Thai-based billionaire. The article notes that Binface, formerly known as Lord Buckethead, adopted his current persona due to a dispute with another satirical campaigner.

Nobody wants to fight Nigel Farage.

โ€” Malcolm OffordSpeaking to BBC Radio Scotland about mainstream parties refusing to stand against Farage.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by RTร‰ News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.