{"id":731463,"date":"2026-08-08T12:14:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-08T12:14:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/731463\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T12:14:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T12:14:15","slug":"clacton-feels-like-the-butt-of-a-bad-joke-i-saw-count-binface-being-interviewed-it-made-me-really-angry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/731463\/","title":{"rendered":"Clacton feels like the butt of a bad joke. \u2018I saw Count Binface being interviewed \u2013 it made me really angry\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Your support helps us to tell the story<\/p>\n

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.<\/p>\n

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.<\/p>\n

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.<\/p>\n

Your support makes all the difference.Read more<\/p>\n

It is lunchtime in the seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea<\/a>, and things are heating up. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s partly the stifling August temperatures, which have beckoned delighted holidaymakers to the English coast on a sweltering Wednesday afternoon. But there is also a curious energy coming from the town centre just a few streets away, where a small flyer is advertising an \u201copen air public meeting\u201d for candidates standing in the town\u2019s upcoming by-election. <\/p>\n

It isn\u2019t clear if the meeting is even today, but regardless, a lively collection of three would-be MPs<\/a> have gathered to make their case to any willing passers-by. <\/p>\n

Voters in Clacton<\/a> will go to the polls on Thursday to cast their ballots in a by-election triggered by the incumbent, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage<\/a>, when he resigned in July<\/a>. It is an election that has been widely touted as Mr Farage vs Count Binface<\/a>, with pollsters predicting the satirical candidate could take as much as 20 per cent of the vote<\/a>. But on the ground, the reality is far less binary.<\/p>\n

\"ThereThere are 34 candidates standing for election in Clacton (PA)<\/p>\n

Despite the fact that none of the major political parties are fielding a candidate, there are a record 34 people running to take Mr Farage\u2019s place – eight more than the previous record set at the Haltemprice and Howden by-election in July 2008. Some, like Nick The Incredible Flying Brick from The Official Monster Raving Loony party, are hard to take seriously, but others are running on serious slates.<\/p>\n

Neither Mr Farage nor Count Binface<\/a> are present for this \u201cspeaker\u2019s corner\u201d meeting, but several candidates have shown up. One, Independent candidate Joseph 77, is wearing a yellow hard hat that says \u201cbuilder\u201d across the front and standing next to a sign declaring: \u201cBelieve! Joseph 77 CAN WIN! Uplift Clacton AS YOUR NEW MP\u201d, adorned with the St George\u2019s flag and Union Jack. Another, Gerry Smith, is eagerly handing out leaflets with a young assistant.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m going to be honest with you. I’m standing because I saw Count Binface being interviewed on Newsnight and it made me very, very angry,\u201d Ms Smith says when I ask about her platform.<\/p>\n

\"NigelNigel Farage is the frontrunner in Clacton (PA)<\/p>\n

\u201cIt made me very angry that people have not been respected in this town.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe that people make Clacton, and the people of Clacton should be respected, and there should be a lot more infrastructure put into this area.\u201d<\/p>\n

She isn\u2019t alone in this sentiment. While the wider public has undoubtedly enjoyed the narrative of Farage versus bin, people in Clacton told me they felt they had been made the butt of a joke that does little to serve their community.<\/p>\n

Amy Smith, 37, said Clacton and its surrounding areas have been \u201clet down\u201d by Mr Farage, who she said has \u201clots of talk\u201d but has done little to help areas such as Jaywick \u2013 part of the Clacton constituency that has been classed as the most deprived area of England for four years on the trot. <\/p>\n

She said she wishes the major political parties had taken \u201cmore of an interest\u201d in the by-election.<\/p>\n

\"AmyAmy Smith, 37, said she hasn’t seen a lot of Nigel Farage (The Independent)<\/p>\n

\u201cLike anyone else, we deserve a chance,\u201d she said. \u201cWe have that stigma we can\u2019t get rid of, the whole area. Oh it\u2019s Essex, or oh it\u2019s Clacton, or it\u2019s Jaywick and that. But like every other seaside town, we need facilities.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want it to end up like a typical seaside town.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the middle of the school holidays in an exceptionally hot and dry summer, the kind of day towns like Clacton were built to make the most of. There are holidaymakers here \u2013 parents push buggies as children dart around their feet and partners push loved ones in wheelchairs.<\/p>\n

\"ManyMany voters in Clacton said immigration is an important issue for them (PA)<\/p>\n

But aside from the tinny noises emerging from the colourful arcades, there is a muted quiet down the main road leading to the town\u2019s Victorian pier, stretching out into the North Sea. <\/p>\n

Sat on a bench near the town\u2019s promenade, Ashley Scott, from nearby Kirby Cross, says that while he usually votes, he doesn\u2019t plan on casting a ballot next week.<\/p>\n

\u201cNone of the candidates really resonated with me,\u201d the 35-year-old says, adding he believes Mr Farage is a \u201cwaste of space\u201d.<\/p>\n

When I ask if he had seen Mr Farage in the area since he was elected in 2024, Mr Scott says he had seen him \u201conce\u201d \u2013 last week.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw him last week on the ferris wheel making some content,\u201d he adds. \u201cBut then before the place got busy he just got in his Range Rover.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AshleyAshley Scott said he usually votes but isn’t sure he will next week (The Independent)<\/p>\n

A regular voter, Mr Scott says he had been left feeling \u201clost\u201d by none of the major parties standing. \u201cCount Binface is a funny character, but he\u2019s not really serious,\u201d he explains. \u201cI don\u2019t really know where to go, to be honest.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the other side of the road is the local Wetherspoons, which is heaving. As I walk in, a couple sat at a nearby table spot my microphone and ask if I am a reporter. They tell me they are also candidates standing in the by-election. I ask if they are went to the \u201copen air public meeting\u201d down the road, and they look at me blankly. Clearly not everyone got the message.<\/p>\n

Many in Clacton are still backing Mr Farage, who is widely projected to win. Stopping to talk outside one of the arcades lining the road to the beach, Larry Graham, 73, says the Reform UK leader has his vote \u201cwithout any doubt\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"LarryLarry Graham said Mr Farage has his vote (The Independent)<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s the only bloke that will get this country out of trouble,\u201d he insists. \u201cIf you vote for anybody else, we\u2019re doomed.\u201d<\/p>\n

He says he\u2019d even be prepared for Mr Farage to make a pact with his ally-turned-rival Rupert Lowe<\/a>, of Restore Britain, describing them as \u201con the same lines\u201d.<\/p>\n

But even some of those who favour a hardline stance on immigration \u2013 Mr Farage\u2019s flagship policy \u2013 say they are unconvinced by his rhetoric. Denise Pinkcombe, 61, says she wants the government to prioritise citizens over immigrants, but isn\u2019t sure Mr Farage will bring about the changes she wants to see in her community.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure about Farage. I\u2019m not sure I can trust him,\u201d she says. \u201cI want someone who will do something for the borough. Homelessness is a big problem here. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Andy Burnham started as prime minister, and he said he wanted to stop homelessness, I thought that was good.\u201d<\/p>\n

One couple said they want tougher action on small boat migrants, but are unsure Reform UK will be able to actually fulfil his promises.<\/p>\n

But despite having 34 options, most residents I spoke to said they didn\u2019t really feel they had a choice at all.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve lost all hope,\u201d one man says. \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019ll vote for anyone. They\u2019re all the same.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":731464,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[59,57,58,50,241750,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-731463","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-united-kingdom","tag-gb","tag-great-britain","tag-greatbritain","tag-news","tag-summer-weather-aug-3rd-2026-pa2026","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/731463","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=731463"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/731463\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/731464"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=731463"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=731463"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=731463"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}