Count Binface, who plans to run in a by-election against Nigel Farage, has admitted he will probably not win in Clacton.
The novelty candidate is currently the only challenger to the Reform UK leader, who triggered a by-election by resigning as an MP for the area yesterday following intense scrutiny of support and gifts he has received.
Mr Farage announced he would stand in the by-election, which he wants to take place on the earliest date possible, on August 6.
Reform UK said it will propose that date when it launches the parliamentary process to trigger the contest on Thursday, however, it is unclear whether it can happen that soon, as the House of Commons library sets out that a by-election cannot take place for at least 21 working days after a writ is issued, with this Friday counting as day one.
When asked by BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme if he thought he could win the by-election, Count Binface said: “Probably not, but then you know my job is to celebrate and defend the wonders of British democracy.
“And look at this? The fact that you are interviewing me… 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?,” he said.
The Reform UK leader has faced intense scrutiny of support and gifts he has received
‘Circus’
Meanwhile, Mr Farage’s Scottish counterpart has said parties refusing to stand against the Reform leader are missing a chance to “knock him out the ring”.
Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, Malcolm Offord, leader of Reform UK in Scotland, said mainstream parties are scared to take on the soon-to-be-former Clacton MP.
“Nobody wants to fight Nigel Farage,” Mr Offord said.
“At the end of the day, this is an opportunity to knock Nigel Farage out of the ring, he’s anti-establishment, he’s anti the incumbent parties and he’s been a thorn in their side for 25 years.
A Labour spokesperson described the by-election as a “circus”, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described the race as “fake”.
Green MP Hannah Spencer said her party’s local branch had also decided against standing.
Mr Farage currently faces a probe into an undeclared £5 million (€5.85m) gift he received from Thai-based billionaire Christopher Harborne.
Count Binface stands next to Labour candidate Andy Burnham during Makerfield count in June
Who is binface?
In the modern UK political era, Count Binface is arguably the most notorious joke candidate, with an outfit to match the absurdity.
Dressing in a black and silver spacesuit, with a giant bin shaped helmet on his head, British comedian Jonathan David Harvey is the man behind the mask.
He describes himself as an “independent space warrior”, beginning life under the name Lord Buckethead.
However, Mr Harvey was forced to create a new persona due to a dispute with Todd Durham – another satirical campaigner.
Mr Harvey deliberately contests high-profile political races as Binhead, including against Boris Johnson in the 2019 general election, Rishi Sunak in 2024 and most recently Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election.
As of yet, Count Binface has not formally announced his manifesto for the Clacton by-election.
However, his most recent policy pledges, outlined during the Makerfield campaign, included capping the price of 99 ice-creams at 99p (€1.44), abolishing auto-renew on all online subscriptions and building at least one affordable home.
His highest ever vote total was 92,896 in the 2021 London Mayoral election, finishing 9th out of 20 candidates.