“My advice: throw your vote in the trash. » Here is the unusual suggestion made by Keir Starmer to a laughing British Parliament, Wednesday July 15. The outgoing British Prime Minister was not pushing for abstention, but rather to vote for a candidate with unexpected popularity in the United Kingdom: Count Binface.
This “Count Trashhead”, in reality the comedian Jon Harvey, could well be the only opponent of Nigel Farage, the leader of the anti-immigration Reform UK party, in the by-election in Clacton-on-Sea, a seaside town in the south-east of the country. Most of the other parties – Labor, Conservatives, Greens, Liberal Democrats, etc. – have in fact decided to boycott this election triggered by the resignation of the far-right leader amid scandal.
“Space Politician”
Masked with a trash can and decked out in a metallic suit, Count Binface presents himself on Instagram as a “space politician” and specifies that he is “sane”. Although he has not yet collected the ten signatures from residents of Clacton-on-Sea allowing him to formalize his candidacy, this original was still entitled to a proper interview on the BBC on Wednesday July 15.
“Why would a warrior from intergalactic space want to run for MP for Clayton? “, asked the presenter of the “BBC Breakfast” show. Question to which the candidate simply answered: “Why not?” », then leaving a long silence.
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Even if he recognized that he would probably not win the election, the candidate assured that he wanted to run to “celebrate and defend the wonders of British democracy”, before listing his totally absurd proposals: “nationalize (the singer) Adele”; cap “the price of the kebab”; and, most importantly, “move the hand dryer from the men’s toilet at the Crown and Treaty pub in Uxbridge because it’s a national issue”.
“I’m sure he has nothing to hide”
During this lunar interview, Nigel Farage took it for granted. The “intergalactic candidate” made fun of the controversy targeting the leader of Reform UK, targeted by an investigation for not having declared a donation of 5 million pounds (around 5.8 million euros) during the 2024 legislative campaign.
“I would like to understand how we raise £5 million in cryptocurrency donations; If everything is perfectly in order, I think we would all like to benefit from it. (…) You know, I’m sure he has nothing to hide,” he said ironically in the face of a journalist having difficulty remaining serious.
Weak electoral successes so far
If Count Binface’s candidacy may come as a surprise, this is not the troublemaker’s first attempt. He has already faced two former prime ministers in previous legislative elections: Boris Johnson in 2019, then Rishi Sunak in 2024. His last candidacy dates back to last month, in the Makerfield partial legislative election. In this election, won by Labor Andy Burnham, probable successor to Keir Starmer. He then received 95 votes, or… 0.2% of the vote.
Beyond this very relative success at the polls, by presenting himself before the voters, Count Tête-de-poubelle also maintains a long British tradition: that of parodic candidacies. A custom which has no equivalent in France. The only candidacy of a comedian that really got people talking was that of Coluche for the 1981 presidential election.
“As we have voted for thirty years for competent and intelligent people, I propose that we vote today for an imbecile who knows nothing, that is to say me,” he declared then. But the 36-year-old comedian had to withdraw before the election, under pressure and not being able to collect the essential sponsorships from mayors.
