The Daily Populous Sunday July 19th, 2026 day edition
Authored by straitstimes.com and submitted by airbassguitar

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Populist Nigel Farage to stand against ‘record’ 33 candidates in UK by-election he triggered

Britain’s Nigel Farage quit as the Member of Parliament for Clacton early in July, triggering a by-election in which he plans to stand again, in an effort to stymie a growing political furore over his finances.

LONDON - British anti-immigrant politician Nigel Farage will stand against a “record” 33 fringe opponents, including longstanding joke candidate Count Binface, in a snap August by-election he has triggered in eastern England, local officials confirmed on July 17.

Tendring District Council, which will manage the contest in Clacton – a seaside town and constituency which Farage has represented in Parliament since 2024 – announced he and 33 candidates will be on the ballot after nominations closed on July 17.

The council said that the total of 34 candidates “is believed to be a record for a parliamentary election”.

Britain’s mainstream parties have opted to boycott the poll after Farage contentiously said he would quit as an MP earlier this month and then re-stand, in a bid to stymie a growing furore around his finances.

The leader of the Reform UK party, which has led national opinion polls for more than a year, has been dogged for weeks by mounting pressure over the non-disclosure of gifts, including allegedly from a convicted fraudster.

The boycott by other parties means his most high-profile rival in the Aug 13 snap vote is Binface – the so-called “intergalactic space warrior” and alter ego of a stand-up comedian who wears a huge rubbish bin over his head, along with armour and a grey cape.

But he will be far from the only joke candidate: Alan “Howling Laud” Hope, the leader of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party will also be standing.

Nigel Farage’s most high-profile rival in the Aug 13 snap vote is Count Binface, seen here speaking to members of the press in June 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS

The long-established eccentric party is also fielding two other candidates: deputy leader Baron Von Thunderclap and treasurer Nick the Flying Brick, who calls for the abolition of gravity.

The list also includes British actor turned “anti-woke” activist Laurence Fox and other representatives of fringe parties and independents.

Addressing a CPAC conservative political conference in London on July 17, Farage said “the people of Clacton can decide whether they back me or whether they back the Establishment”.

“I’ve taken a punt because I like a gamble,” he added. “I think they’re going to come down on my side. I hope and pray that they do. Yes, let the people decide. Let the people be my judge, not the Westminster elite.” AFP

Mushroom_Tip on July 19th, 2026 at 05:37 UTC »

The major parties choosing not to send candidates was such a masterful stroke of genius.

This has basically become a clown show or dozens of weirdos and everyone is munching on popcorn laughing.

Not what Farage envisioned at all I'm sure.

Even if he wins, the reaction will be "oh wow, you won against a man with a bin on his head, congrats?"

Begum65 on July 19th, 2026 at 04:53 UTC »

I think we all know Count Binface is the only real contender here.

This whole farce is at least going in the right direction. I mean he didn't even hold a single surgery (as in public meeting) since he was their MP.

It would be a really bad move for people of Clacton to vote him in again.

TylerBourbon on July 19th, 2026 at 04:16 UTC »

There is only one candidate worth voting for that isn't a joke. Count Binface.