After Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party all said they will not stand candidates, Nigel Farage’s main challenger now appears to be the satirical candidate Count Binface
Nigel Farage’s attempt to fight a “people versus the establishment” by-election will now see him face a string of candidates from fringe parties as well as a man with a bin on his head.
The Reform UK leader stood down in protest over scrutiny over his finances, and suggested that the voters in Clacton “should be the judges of my actions”.
After Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party all said they will not stand in the contest on August 13, Mr Farage’s main challenger now appears to be the satirical candidate Count Binface.
However, Mr Farage will face 33 rival candidates in the by-election, which is believed to be a record for a parliamentary contest.
Tendring District Council said the previous record is understood to have been 26 candidates, set at the Haltemprice and Howden by-election in July 2008, which was triggered by Tory Sir David Davis in his own seat and similarly ignored by the main Westminster parties.
The Mirror takes a look at who is running against Mr Farage in Clacton after the full list of confirmed candidates was announced by the local authorities today.
Count Binface (Independent)
Count Binface is the alter ego of Jonathan David Harvey, a British comedian, satirist and producer, who worked on hits like The Thick of It and Have I Got News For You.
He describes himself as an “intergalactic space warrior”, and the leader of the Recyclons from the planet Sigma IX. He claims to be over 5,900 years old, and has previously contested elections against Rishi Sunak, Andy Burnham and Boris Johnson.
Previously known as Lord Buckethead, he wrote on X: “Labour, Tories, Lib Dems and Greens: I demand you stand down in Clacton. I will be a unity candidate and pledge to build at least one affordable house.
“Nigel Farage says he wants The People versus the Establishment. So be it. Leave him to me.”
Laurence Fox (Reclaim)
The former actor and leader of the Reclaim Party Laurence Fox has announced he will stand in the contest.
Mr Fox, who previously tweeted an image of a swastika made from the progress pride flag, criticised the state of politics as he announced his bid.
He wrote on social media: “We’re coming because we respect the voters of Clacton and also to elevate the Fight on the Right.
“If I was a canvasser for any of the established political parties I would be pretty miffed that my party leaders had decided not to represent my voice just because they hate Nigel so much.
“What a state British politics is in when political parties don’t stand in elections.”
3 x Monster Raving Loony Party candidates
Howling Laud Hope, the leader of the Monster Raving Loony Party, is also standing in the by-election.
The satirical group, which was formed in 1982, said: “Our preparations are NOW being made for the #ClactonByElection“.
Their policies include air bags in the Stock Exchange “ready for the next crash”, half of grey squirrels being painted red to boost the red squirrel population and puddles deeper than three inches to be marked with a yellow plastic duck.
Nick The Incredible Flying Brick and Baron Von Thunderclap are also standing for the party.
John Stevens (Rejoin Party)
Former Conservative MEP John Stevens is running for the Rejoin EU Party.
The party’s deputy leader claimed the by-election was not about Farage’s scandals, but a chance for voters to take a stand on Brexit.
7 other parties fielding candidates
– Adham Alkhatip (The Forward Party)– William Stuart James Clouston (Social Democratic Party).– Martin Davies (Freedom Alliance – Real People, Real Alternative!)– Ketankumar Pipaliya (UK VOICE safer and stronger UK)– James Ransley (Consensus Party Candidate)– Kai Stephens (British Democrats)– Marcus White (Everyone is God Party)
20 Independent candidates
In a sign of the seriousness of the contest, Mr Farage will also face off with former Dating Naked contestant Luke Worley, who is one of 20 Independent candidates.
The Reality TV star vowed to improve Clacton’s roads and high street and support independent businesses.
He told The Sun: “I’ve survived reality TV, so politics should be a walk in the park. Nigel Farage might be one of the biggest names in British politics and Lord Binface might be the king of political stunts, but neither of them grew up in Clacton like I did.
“They can bring the headlines and I’m fine with that but I’ll bring the local knowledge and the respect for the local community.”
– Joseph 77 (Independent)– Tony Cane (Independent)– Woke Trump Carrzee (Independent)– Rees Cowne (Independent)– Glenn Charles Cummings (Independent)– Andy Erlam (Independent)– Attieh Fard (Independent)– Tony Francis (Independent)– Robin Green (Independent)– Abi Hookway (Independent)– Stephen Richard Ingram (Independent)– Amy Morris (Independent)– Derrick Norbert Morris (Independent)– Michael Noel O’Keeffe (Independent)– Martyn OBrien (Independent)– Nick Pelas (Independent)– Daniel Pocock (Independent)– Gerry Smith (Independent)– Pamela Walford (Independent)– Marc Wilkinson (Independent)
Nigel Farage (Reform UK)
If all the other joke candidates weren’t enough, Nigel Farage is also running the seat he already held in protest at questions over the £5million gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne.