Polling day probably can’t come soon enough for Nigel Farage.
The Reform UK leader dramatically resigned from Parliament triggering a by-election in Clacton.
He sought to frame the contest as Mr Farage against the media and the “Establishment”.
‘Laughing Stock’
But the main parties decided not to put up candidates and his main rival now appears to be Count Binface, the space and electoral warrior created by comedian Jon Harvey.
Lawrence Fox, from the Reclaim Party, wildlife campaigner Rob Pownall who dresses up as a fox, reality TV star Luke Worley, from Married at First Sight UK, Jeremy Corbyn’s brother Piers, and candidates from the Monster Raving Loony Party and Rejoin EU Party may also throw their hats into the ring.
So far bookmaker William Hill has these candidates on between 100-1 and 1,000-1.
So the by-election looks set to be a showdown between Mr Farage (on 1-6) and Count Binface (4-1) and the Reform leader’s move has already sparked a wave of criticism and mockery led by Prime Minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham.
The political “farce” has also gone global, being reported in America, Australia, India, France, Italy and many other countries around the world.
Always worth knowing when bin day is. pic.twitter.com/tIuKFfb3Fk
— Andy Burnham (@andyburnham) July 8, 2026
‘Seaside shuffle’
Reform had originally hoped for the by-election to happen quickly on August 6.
But Tendring District Council, which will run the by-election, announced on Friday that it would take place on August 13.
So, that’s an extra week for Mr Farage to go head-to-head with Count Binface who launched his campaign at the Museum of Comedy in London.
The big question now being asked is will the Reform leader do hustings alongside the Count and other candidates in Clacton?
The political circus is also only likely to escalate if Count Binface heads to the Essex seaside town for his campaign which suddenly may be well funded.
Dale ‘booster rockets’
Matters only got worse for Mr Farage when green industrialist Dale Vince, founder of renewable energy company Ecotricity, stepped in to offer to fund Count Binface’s campaign.
“This is a really important by election, called by Farage for no good reason - Count Binface is the face now of the anti Farage movement,” he posted on X.
“It’s Bin Day in Clacton. We can be rid of the hyper toxic Farage.”
So rather than having a poorly-run campaign against him, the Reform UK leader, who is facing a swirl of financial allegations, could now be confronted with a well-planned and properly-funded operation to try to stop him being re-elected.
‘Shooting media star’
Count Binface has already been flooded with media requests, with notable early appearances on the BBC.
Within days he has gone from being a rather freakish candidate who turns up at by-elections, and the London mayoral 2024 contest, to speaking on prime political shows.
Media interest in him is only likely to grow, especially if he hits the streets of Clacton.
Reform backers are already seeking to portray Harvey (aka as Count Binface) as a liberal who has worked for the BBC.
It may not be long before it is suggested that he is part of a “Deep State” plot against Mr Farage.
‘Victory on Earth’
The difficulty for Mr Farage is that Count Binface does not have to win the by-election to emerge victorious.
Polling expert and Tory peer Lord Hayward said if candidates such as the Count do well, they could be part of a “triple embarrassment” on the Reform chief, on top of a possible low turnout at the by-election which could cost well north of £200,000, and the main parties not standing.
The election is such a bizarre situation that exactly what doing well would look like for the Count is not clear.
But if he got into the 20 per cent or more in vote share it would be a startling achievement for a candidate who normally is in a fight to save his £500 deposit by gaining a five per cent backing.
Count at the Count
Mr Farage may have hoped of delivering a triumphant speech, having comfortably won the by-election, and he may still well do so.
Having won nearly half the vote in the Essex seat at the 2024 general election, he is now urging voters in Clacton to “stick two fingers up to the entire Establishment”.
But all the cameras on election night will also be on Count Binface and his speech may be as memorable if not more as Mr Farage’s.
A probe by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards into Mr Farage, over a £5 million gift from Reform donor Christopher Harborne before becoming an MP, is understood to have been paused after he quit Parliament.
The Reform leader is also facing calls for an investigation following reports that long-term ally George Cottrell had provided undeclared funding for security and staffing in the year before he was elected.
Mr Cottrell reportedly recruited and paid three staff to work on Mr Farage’s social media before the general election, and has continued to allow him to use a five-storey Georgian property he rented near Buckingham Palace.
Amid new allegations against Reform, Mr Farage is denying any wrongdoing and saying he followed Commons rules.
But if the Reform leader is found to have breached Commons rules on declaring interests and is suspended for more than 10 sitting days, it could trigger a recall petition, potentially leading to another Clacton by-election.
Which of course may mean: Nigel Farage v Count Binface - the rematch.
