Count Binface, a viral political star, has announced his candidacy in the upcoming Clacton-on-Sea by-election. When asked how he will appeal to the people of Clacton, Count Binface responded quickly, saying, 'Well, I'm not Nigel Farage.'
The Count, formerly known as Lord Buckethead, has gained fame for challenging Prime Ministers Theresa May and Boris Johnson in their own constituencies. He is known for being a recurring presence in the background of winning speeches, a unique aspect of British democracy.
Count Binface's election manifesto includes capping the price of croissants at £1 and forcing former Prime Ministers to do national service. He also demands that other major parties stand down and calls himself a 'unity candidate,' pledging to build at least one affordable house.
Behind the mask of the Count is Jon Harvey, a stand-up comedian and author from Croydon. Harvey has worked on various political satires, including the BBC's 'The Thick of It,' 'Have I Got News for You,' and 'Time Trumpet.' He has also presented for Times Radio and has been recognized for creating one of the 'Jokes of the Year' in 2019.
Count Binface's previous campaigns have garnered significant attention, including his appearance at the Glastonbury Festival, where he surprised crowds with a stage appearance to deliver his political promises. His supporters have praised his policies, with one saying, 'I like his policies.' Another supporter commented, 'At last someone at Glastonbury who I want to see.'
The Clacton-on-Sea by-election is a critical contest, with the town facing issues such as housing shortages, drug dealing, and a rise in county lines violence. Count Binface's campaign promises to improve local traffic flow, reliable train Wi-Fi, and the abolition of automatic subscription renewals.
Count Binface has also called for the conscription of people who use speakerphones on public transport and for cyclists who ignore the Highway Code to ride unicycles. He wants to ban VAR and enter himself as the UK's Eurovision 2027 contestant.
The Count's name change from Lord Buckethead occurred due to a copyright dispute with a US-based filmmaker. After his unofficial portrayal went viral in 2017, a legal dispute cropped up, leading to the Count's rebranding as Count Binface in 2018.
Count Binface has received significant attention in previous elections, including the 2019 general election, where he got 69 votes. In the 2021 elections, he came ninth with 24,775 first-choice votes, defeating Piers Corbyn and UKIP. In the 2023 Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election, he got 190 votes, defeating Piers Corbyn and UKIP again.
