This is a poll of the UK public in general, not the people of Clacton, so it doesn’t show that Binface is leading in Clacton. But it’s interesting that the British public prefer Binface to Farage.
This is a poll of the UK public in general, not the people of Clacton, so it doesn’t show that Binface is leading in Clacton. But it’s interesting that the British public prefer Binface to Farage.
Is this the British version of Vermin Supreme?
Not a dissimilar sort of thing, but novelty candidates have been a staple of British elections for decades.
Normally, they’re not going to stand any realistic chance of winning anything (one exception being when Hartlepool once elected a man dressed as a monkey) but it only costs £500 to register and sometimes that’s worth it for a laugh.
What’s funny in this case is that Nigel Farage is trying to delay or stop an investigation into some of his crimes by stepping down as MP, and then standing for re-election (I don’t quite know how this is meant to work), but all the “real” opposition have refused to field candidates. Count Binface, not officially affiliated with any political party, is standing in opposition - so if it goes ahead, the vote is between Farage and Count Binface, and there’s a chance of Binface winning.
H’angus the monkey turned out to be good at his job and got reelected twice.
Denmark had a joke candidate who won a term in parliament 1994-1998: Jacob Haugaard.
He ran representing the Party of Intentionally Workshy Elements (slogan: If Employment is Healthy, Give it to the Sick), on a programme of:
When he got in he was clearly terrified, but over time he did participate and take part. I don’t think he could quite believe it.
I loved his parting shot, after his term ended, when his portrait (like that of all MPs) was hung in Parliament and he said: “Let this serve as a warning that any idiot populist can get elected”.
You get the £500 back if you get enough votes so let’s hope he gets to keep it.
That is absolutely delightful.