英国Clacton-on-Sea选区将于8月13日举行补选，但主要政党决定抵制参选[1]。在这一异常局面下，由喜剧演员Jonathan Harvey扮演的虚拟人物Count Binface宣布参选，成为改革英国党领导人Nigel Farage的主要对手[1]。
Farage在2024年大选中领先该选区最近的竞争对手超过8000票[1]，但其面临议会调查，涉及来自泰国密码货币亿万富翁的500万英镑捐款正在接受审查[1]。本次补选共有32名候选人参选[1]，改革英国党在650个议席的英国下议院中仅拥有8个议席[1]。分析人士预测Count Binface将成为Farage的主要对手，尽管Count Binface过去在选举中获得的最高票数仅为308票[1]。
A by-election in Clacton-on-Sea is set for August 13, with a notable absence from Britain's major political parties.[1] Instead, Count Binface—a fictional character portrayed by comedian Jonathan Harvey—has entered the race as an unconventional challenger to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.[1] The by-election will feature 32 candidates in total.[1]
Farage, who holds a commanding polling lead of over 8,000 votes above his nearest rival from the 2024 general election, is currently under parliamentary investigation into financial matters.[1] His campaign is being presented as an opportunity for voters to pass judgment on his conduct, particularly regarding a £5 million donation under review, which originated from a Thai cryptocurrency billionaire.[1] Reform UK currently holds only 8 seats in the 650-member House of Commons.[1]
Political analysts have predicted that Count Binface will emerge as Farage's primary opponent in this contest.[1] The fictional character's previous electoral performance has been modest, with a highest vote count of 308 in prior campaigns.[1] Farage's main residence is located in a Kent village, approximately 130 kilometers from his constituency.[1]