Press release ·
Sole challenger site goes live as five parties leave the chair empty
A supporter campaign site launches for Count Binface, the only declared challenger to Nigel Farage in the Clacton by-election, after Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and Restore Britain all declined to stand.
A new supporter campaign site, votebinface.com, has launched to back Count Binface’s candidacy in the forthcoming Clacton by-election, in which the Count is currently the sole declared challenger.
The by-election follows the resignation of the sitting member. Five parties, Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and Restore Britain, have declined to field a candidate. At the time of writing that leaves Count Binface, an independent intergalactic space warrior and leader of the Count Binface Party, as the only declared name on the challenger’s side of the contest.
The site’s message is simple: five parties ran scared, one candidate showed up. In the 2024 general election the votes cast in Clacton for candidates other than the winner added up to 24,219, more than the 21,225 that returned the seat. Those voters are still there. The site exists to make sure they know a ballot paper is coming and how to use it.
“I am but a Baron, and it is not my place to speak for the Count,” said Baron Kerbside, spokesperson for the site. “But I can speak in support of him, and I will say this: democracy works best when someone bothers to turn up. Five parties looked at Clacton and looked away. The Count looked at Clacton and put his bin on. That is the whole difference, and it is not a small one.”
The site’s primary purpose is voter registration. It directs visitors to gov.uk to check their registration and, where it suits them, to apply for a postal vote. Its secondary aim is to recruit volunteers for BinAid, the campaign’s canvassing operation.
The by-election date is not yet confirmed. The site will update as the timetable is set.
About Count Binface
Count Binface is the satirical persona of British comedian Jonathan David Harvey, who previously performed as Lord Buckethead until 2018. He is an independent candidate and leader of the Count Binface Party, and has stood in general elections, by-elections and the London mayoral election. His stated purpose is to encourage electoral participation under the banner “Make Your Vote Count”; fundraising surpluses have gone to the housing charity Shelter. His official website is countbinface.com.