{"id":44714,"date":"2026-08-14T16:38:47","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T11:38:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=44714"},"modified":"2026-08-14T16:38:47","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T11:38:47","slug":"count-binface-gets-almost-10000-votes-in-clacton-by-election","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=44714","title":{"rendered":"Count Binface gets almost 10,000 votes in Clacton by-election"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" data-article-body=\"true\" data-body-type=\"bodyblocks\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Count Binface has enjoyed his best-ever election performance after receiving almost 10,000 votes and finishing second to Nigel Farage at the <a data-ylk=\"slk:Clacton by-election;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;yLinkElementType&quot;:&quot;article_link&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/c62x1gr62m1o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Clacton by-election<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The self-styled intergalactic space warrior said he was &#8220;1,000 times more popular&#8221; when standing against Farage compared to Andy Burnham, after he picked up 95 votes when challenging the now-prime minister in Makerfield in June.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Count Binface received 9,455 votes compared to Farage&#8217;s 22,239. His 26.9% share of the vote is thought to be the highest ever for a novelty candidate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He became the leading rival to Farage after the main UK parties boycotted the by-election <a data-ylk=\"slk:triggered by the Reform UK leader, amid questions over his finances;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;yLinkElementType&quot;:&quot;article_link&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/c0ly51kzdz3o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">triggered by the Reform UK leader, amid questions over his finances<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Bar chart showing votes for each candidate in the Clacton by-election. Reform UK candidate Nigel Farage 22,239 votes; Count Binface Party candidate Count Binface 9,455 votes; Rejoin EU candidate John Stevens 492 votes; Independent candidate Tony Francis 432 votes; Independent candidate Pamela Walford 371 votes; Reclaim candidate Laurence Fox 347 votes;\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"703\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/lo\/mysterio\/api\/deb75dbd9a4f2f9a8d8f27a7e1b0016581ebe38ac41d5f1b707c34a4849323d9\/lightyear_networkapi\/resizefill_w960%3Bquality_80%3Bformat_webp\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen%2Fbbc_us_articles_995%2F98915bd6305b3af6f867d217fb68d4f4.png\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><default:path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/default:svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Farage had branded Count Binface the &#8220;candidate of the establishment&#8221; after claiming supporters of other parties had canvassed for him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The contest in the Essex constituency saw a record 34 candidates for a Westminster Parliament election, although Farage did not attend the announcement of the result in person, denying Count Binface and others a chance to line-up alongside him in the Clacton Leisure Centre.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">This led Count Binface to declare he was &#8220;the winning candidate in the room&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Reform UK said Essex Police had advised Farage not to attend the count &#8220;due to a credible threat against him&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The BBC has been told the force did not advise any candidate that they should not attend the count.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Count Binface is the satirical alter ego of comedian Jon Harvey, who has specialised in satire and been involved with BBC comedy shows, including The Thick of It and Have I Got News For You.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Harvey has previously stood in four parliamentary elections, including against prime ministers, and two London mayoral elections.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">His previous best parliamentary result came in the Richmond and Northallerton vote against Rishi Sunak in the 2024 general election when he received 308 votes &#8211; 0.6% of the total share &#8211; and finished sixth out of 13 candidates.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The Clacton result was the first time that Count Binface has retained the \u00a3500 deposit candidates are required to make to validate their nomination.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">It is repaid if a candidate polls more than 5% of the total number of valid votes cast in the constituency.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"A man wearing a turquoise-coloured shirt with &quot;Farage 10&quot; written in white text on the back is taking a photo on his phone of a mural. The mural is on a white wall and includes two images in black paint. One is of Count Binface, a character wearing a cape and a bin on his head, and the other shows the head and shoulders of Nigel Farage.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/lo\/mysterio\/api\/3395ce0ffd6561d52b74ce7b69acf9632692093d2693877f1364c52dae6f5888\/lightyear_networkapi\/resizefill_w960%3Bquality_80%3Bformat_webp\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen%2Fbbc_us_articles_995%2F5d662623b6f071a7290b38bd4903ab8f.jpg\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><default:path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/default:svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<div style=\"max-height:none;overflow:visible\"><span class=\"[&amp;_p]:inline\"><\/p>\n<p>A mural of Count Binface and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage on the promenade in Clacton [PA Media]<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Farage had earlier told supporters at a Reform UK event that he was &#8220;damned if I&#8217;m going to stand on a stage, having won a resounding victory, a ringing endorsement of all that I&#8217;ve tried to fight for, and you&#8217;ve tried to fight for, and be demeaned and humiliated by nobodies&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He then added he would not attend the count as Essex Police had told him about an &#8220;organised campaign to disrupt and degrade the result&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Count Binface said he had asked police if was there &#8220;any credible threat of a disruption here&#8221;, adding: &#8220;I can tell you they said unequivocally no, it was safe to go ahead.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He also told reporters that hearing the &#8220;verdict of the Clactonites was the least I could do&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He added: &#8220;All I will say to you is what happens next: let&#8217;s all meet for part two of the Clacton by-election coming soon to a leisure centre near you.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">This remark was a nod to a possible second by-election in Clacton, which could occur as a result of an investigation into Farage by Parliament&#8217;s standards commissioner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Farage resigned as an MP last month and stood in the subsequent by-election after facing intense scrutiny over financial support he has received.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The standards commissioner had been investigating Farage from May after the Reform leader did not declare a \u00a35m gift he received from billionaire Reform donor Christopher Harborne before he became an MP.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Farage has argued he did not need to declare the gift, which he described as &#8220;unconditional&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The investigation was paused as a result of the by-election and resumed following his return to Parliament.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">One possible outcome of a standards investigation is a suspension which triggers a recall petition. This process enables an MP to be removed and a by-election triggered if 10% of eligible registered voters sign a petition.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The other main UK parties are expected to put up a candidate if there is a second by-election.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Independent candidate Marc Wilkinson, who received 11 votes, was not happy with the attention Count Binface received during the campaign.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He said: &#8220;I was shocked that all the main parties didn&#8217;t stand, I was shocked that Reform called the by-election, shocked that all the attention has been on Count Binface, most incredibly shocked by the extent to which the other candidates have been essentially ignored.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Bar chart showing votes for each candidate in the Clacton by-election. Reform UK candidate Nigel Farage 22,239 votes; Count Binface Party candidate Count Binface 9,455 votes; Rejoin EU candidate John Stevens 492 votes; Independent candidate Tony Francis 432 votes; Independent candidate Pamela Walford 371 votes; Reclaim candidate Laurence Fox 347 votes; SDP candidate William Clouston 256 votes; Independent candidate Nicholas Pelas 202 votes; Consensus Party candidate James Ransley 192 votes; Independent candidate Stephen Ingram 159 votes; British Democratic Party candidate Kai Stephens 132 votes; Independent candidate Attieh Fard 126 votes; Independent candidate Derrick Morris 100 votes; Independent candidate Martyn OBrien 65 votes; Freedom Alliance candidate Martin Davies 60 votes; Independent candidate Robin Green 59 votes; Independent candidate Rees Cowne 50 votes; Forward Party candidate Adham Alkhatip 49 votes; Independent candidate Amy Morris 46 votes; Independent candidate Andy Erlam 44 votes; Independent candidate Joseph 77 42 votes; Monster Raving Loony Party candidate Nick the Incredible Flying Brick 28 votes; UK Voice candidate Ketankumar Pipaliya 21 votes; Independent candidate Michael O'Keeffe 19 votes; Monster Raving Loony Party candidate Howling Laud Hope 18 votes; Independent candidate Tony Cane 17 votes; Independent candidate Daniel Pocock 16 votes; Monster Raving Loony Party candidate Baron Von Thunderclap 15 votes; Independent candidate Abi Hookway 14 votes; Independent candidate Marc Wilkinson 11 votes; Everyone is God Party candidate Marcus White 10 votes; Independent candidate Gerry Smith 9 votes; Independent candidate Woke Trump Carrzee 8 votes; Independent candidate Glenn Cummings 7 votes\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"2906\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/lo\/mysterio\/api\/bf12b2e202b777e32ef35cee5bbedfefaf70de40a1572082b4c87dae1dcb34f2\/lightyear_networkapi\/resizefill_w960%3Bquality_80%3Bformat_webp\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen%2Fbbc_us_articles_995%2Fab749bf49663a731f50f48dfb37d5d79.png\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><default:path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/default:svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\"\/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Thin, red banner promoting the Politics Essential newsletter with text saying, &quot;Top political analysis in your inbox every day&quot;. There is also an image of the Houses of Parliament.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"158\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/lo\/mysterio\/api\/e1a925401bc0693c838eefb74089c5d6a95edc54ae97d7be0c1a06c049ce8dd7\/lightyear_networkapi\/resizefill_w960%3Bquality_80%3Bformat_webp\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen%2Fbbc_us_articles_995%2Fb3f820c8ad5c7e158711fd00a8e67674.png\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><default:path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/default:svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a data-ylk=\"slk:Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;yLinkElementType&quot;:&quot;article_link&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/newsletters\/z7hc239?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter<\/a> to keep up with the inner workings of Westminster and beyond.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Count Binface has enjoyed his best-ever election performance after receiving almost 10,000 votes and finishing second to Nigel Farage at the Clacton by-election. The self-styled intergalactic space warrior said he was &#8220;1,000 times more popular&#8221; when standing against Farage compared to Andy Burnham, after he picked up 95 votes when challenging the now-prime minister in&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":44715,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/lo\/mysterio\/api\/107a7591b736cc686e36add6bc7915094a2f941780c1688e0114563d5dc25bd9\/lightyear_networkapi\/resizefill_w1000_h563%3Bquality_80%3Bformat_jpg\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen%2Fbbc_us_articles_995%2F65cc9e1bc6e7b5e96aac6cf197f86a07.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44714","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-real-trending-viral-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44714","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=44714"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44714\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/44715"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=44714"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=44714"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=44714"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}