Count Binface, the UK's most famous novelty candidate, is back. On Monday, he released his “manifesto” for the upcoming special election in Clacton, and he's taking direct aim at his opponent, Nigel Farage, over the scandal that triggered the whole thing.
The by-election was triggered when Farage resigned his seat amid an investigation into undeclared donations totaling £5 million ($6.65 million). The donations came from Christopher Harborne, a cryptocurrency investor and major donor to Farage's Reform Party. Farage, a close ally of President Donald Trump, denies any wrongdoing.
Binface's 20-point manifesto, posted on X, includes a pledge that cuts right to the heart of the matter: “I will not accept £5million gifts from crypto billionaires (on Earth).” The joke lands because Farage's donations were from a crypto billionaire, and Binface is, well, a fictional character from space.
The election is set for August 13. Binface called it a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” and urged voters to “clean up Clacton” on what he dubbed “Bin Day.” One of his more pointed proposals would bar legislators from resigning and then running in the by-election their departure causes — a direct swipe at Farage's strategy.
On the prediction market Polymarket, which runs on the Polygon blockchain, Farage remains the heavy favorite with a 96% chance of winning. Binface sits at just 4%. So while the joke is funny, the odds suggest voters aren't quite ready to elect a man in a bin-shaped helmet.
For those unfamiliar, Count Binface is the creation of comedian and writer Jonathan Harvey. He wears a silver cape and a bin on his head, mocking candidates' policies while encouraging people to vote. He's previously stood against former UK prime ministers Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak, and Theresa May. This time, his target is Farage — and the crypto money that's become a flashpoint in British politics.
