Timing is everything in comedy and, so it seems, in British politics for a perennial comic candidate who wears a garbage can on his head.
Count Binface, a self-described 5,000-year-old intergalactic space warrior, is having an otherworldly moment in a special election derided as a farce long before the ballot was packed with nearly three dozen candidates — many from the silly end of the spectrum.
Binface, who has run against prime ministers past and present, was the first to throw down a challenge when Reform U.K. leader Nigel Farage abruptly quit Parliament and said he would seek re-election to clear his name over financial allegations.
When the major political parties denounced Farage’s move as a political stunt and boycotted the Clacton-on-Sea election, the trash-talking comedian was launched into prime position as default challenger. He has been on a nonstop media blitz since.
“I’m the only fresh thing on the menu,” Binface said in a recent interview with The Associated Press.
“You’re all sick of these politicians, as good as they’re trying to be, but you know you need something different, a little bit of secret sauce, the colonel’s secret blend of herbs and spices.”
Binface, alter ego of comedian Jon Harvey, said his manifesto includes “nationalizing Adele, building at least one affordable house, spending more time in Clacton-on-Sea than Washington D.C,” in a reference to Farage’s trips to the U.S., where he considers President Trump a supporter.
The Clacton by-election will be held on August 13.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.