Count Binface, the man in a can with a plan, seeks Parliament seat in Britain’s wackiest election

Jon Harvey, the man behind the intergalactic persona Count Binface, is once again inserting himself into the British electoral process. Dressed in a literal recycling bin and black cape, Harvey is campaigning for a parliamentary seat. This is not his first foray into political performance art. He previously appeared as Lord Buckethead before a legal dispute forced his rebranding as the current extraterrestrial candidate from Sigma IX.

While the persona is satirical, the candidate is quite real. Harvey is a former writer for political comedies like The Thick of It and an author who studied classics at Oxford. He views the British tradition of eccentric electoral candidates as a standard part of the political landscape. He has challenged notable figures in the past, including former Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, as well as current London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

His campaign platform remains a mix of absurdity and targeted humor. Proposals include nationalizing singer Adele and relocating specific hand dryers in local pubs to more convenient positions. However, he also uses the platform to comment on serious political figures. He positions himself against Nigel Farage, poking fun at recent parliamentary investigations into undeclared gifts and frequent trips to the United States.

Binface acknowledges that he does not expect to win. If he were to succeed, he would face the reality of parliamentary dress codes which generally forbid his signature headgear. He notes the irony that some politicians are more concerned with his costume than with the current state of the British economy or infrastructure.

This campaign serves as a reminder of the long-standing British tradition of allowing almost any adult citizen to stand for election. While other candidates in Clacton include individuals representing the Monster Raving Loony Party, Binface remains the most prominent satirical figure. He remains dedicated to his character throughout every interaction, rarely breaking the mask while engaging with the public and media.