A self-described “intergalactic space warrior” with a bin for a head appears to be the main challenger to Nigel Farage in the Clacton by-election.
The Reform UK leader announced he will quit as an MP on Tuesday to fight a “people versus the establishment” by-election in his Essex constituency.
But all of the main political parties have said they will not field candidates in the upcoming poll, with Green leader Zack Polanski branding it a “circus”.
The only contender to come forward so far is Count Binface.
But who is the spaceman dressed as a giant rubbish can?
The man behind the bin
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Jon Harvey, a comedian from Lewisham, created Count Binface. He’s been standing in elections since 2017 when he challenged Theresa May’s constituency as Lord Buckethead.
But after receiving a copyright complaint from the American film-maker Todd Durham, who created Lord Buckethead for his 1984 science-fiction film Hyperspace, Mr Harvey rebranded as a bin.
Count Binface is described as an “intergalactic space warrior, leader of the Recyclons from Sigma IX and part-time politician on Earth”.
He has stood in a number of elections, including in Boris Johnson’s former seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip where he claimed to have split the Labour vote and caused the Tory victory.
He also stood against Rishi Sunak in Richmond and Northallerton at the 2024 general election and challenged Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election last month.
In 2021 and 2024 he ran in the London mayoral elections.
What are his policies?
Binface has a wide-ranging number of manifesto policies.
He has vowed to force Thames Water bosses to "take a dip in the Thames to see how they like it", in reference to sewage being pumped into the London river.
VAR in football matches should be abolished, he said, and he has promised to "build at least one affordable house".
His 2024 manifesto for London also included a ban on “loud snacks" in theatres and plans to demolish the Millennium Dome to make way for a nature reserve.
London Bridge would be named after actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Ceefax would be brought back under his plans.
Ice-cream and croissant prices should also be capped, he has said.
Can he win?
Count Binface is the only candidate to declare he will take on Mr Farage in Clacton so far.
Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and Restore Britain have all said they will not field candidates in the by-election.
Green leader Zack Polanski said his party would not participate in a “circus”.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused Mr Farage of having a “hissy fit”
But Binface himself has conceded he will probably not win in Clacton.
Asked if he thought he could be victorious in the by-election, he told the BBC: “Probably not, but then you know my job is to celebrate and defend the wonders of British democracy.
“And look at this, eh? The fact that you are interviewing me on the Today Programme, because all the other parties aren’t standing, says more about them than it does about me.
“Are they running scared from old Binny, or do they think that Nigel’s running a cunning stunt?”
