A man dressed as a bin and another dressed as a fish finger are among the candidates facing Nigel Farage in the Clacton by-election, after the major parties decided not to field candidates. Count Binface, whose real name is Jonathan Harvey, and Mr Fishfinger, born Paul Ellis, are the latest in a long tradition of protest candidates who use humour and satire to challenge the political establishment. Their presence in the contest highlights a growing trend of voters turning to unconventional figures when mainstream parties fail to offer a choice.
The Clacton by-election was triggered when Reform UK leader Nigel Farage resigned as MP in July 2026, amid a probe by Westminster's ethics watchdog over a £5 million donation from a Thailand-based crypto-billionaire and accusations of failing to declare support from a US-convicted financier. Farage denies any wrongdoing. Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats all said they would not field candidates, leaving the field open for independent and protest candidates. Count Binface, who first gained prominence in the 2019 general election, has announced policies including building at least one affordable house, nationalising Adele, and bringing back Ceefax. Mr Fishfinger, who stood against Lib Dem leader Tim Farron in a 2017 by-election, promises to replace Admiral Nelson's statue with Captain Birdseye and change the national anthem to "Cod Save the King".
“Explains protest candidates in UK by-elections using Clacton's comedy contenders.”
The tradition of protest candidates in UK elections dates back decades, with figures such as Screaming Lord Sutch and the Official Monster Raving Loony Party capturing public imagination. These candidates rarely win, but they can influence debate, draw attention to issues ignored by mainstream parties, and highlight the absurdities of the political system. In Clacton, the absence of major party candidates has created a vacuum that comedy candidates are filling, turning the contest into what the New Statesman calls an "end-of-the-pier show". One of Labour's biggest donors, eco-energy tycoon Dale Vince, has even offered to bankroll Count Binface, according to The Sun.
For UK readers, the Clacton by-election illustrates how protest candidates can rise when voters feel disenfranchised or when major parties boycott a contest. They serve as a barometer of public discontent and can sometimes force serious discussions about electoral reform and the state of democracy. While they are unlikely to win, their presence ensures that the election is not a foregone conclusion and keeps the spotlight on issues like Farage's finances and the behaviour of political elites. The by-election also sharpens the battle between Reform and the Conservatives, as the right-wing media has been shifting towards Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, according to the New Statesman.
Q: Who are Count Binface and Mr Fishfinger? Count Binface is Jonathan Harvey, a serial election candidate who dresses as a bin and presents satirical policies. Mr Fishfinger is Paul Ellis, a site engineer from Doncaster who changed his name by deed poll; he first stood as a protest candidate in 2017 against Lib Dem leader Tim Farron.
Q: Why are they standing in the Clacton by-election? They are standing because Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have all refused to field candidates, leaving the contest open to independents. Both candidates aim to highlight what they see as the absurdity of the political system and to challenge Nigel Farage directly.
Q: Do protest candidates ever win? Rarely. Their main impact is symbolic: they draw media attention, mock establishment politicians, and can influence the wider political conversation. In Clacton, the major party boycott gives them a higher profile than usual.
What happens next depends on whether Count Binface and Mr Fishfinger secure the ten nominations from Clacton locals required to appear on the ballot. The by-election is expected to be a test of Nigel Farage's personal popularity and a potential reset for Reform UK, which has been plateauing in the polls. The result will also be watched as a gauge of whether voters prefer satire or serious protest in a contest devoid of major-party candidates.