Clacton by-election live: Nigel Farage begins final push to reclaim seat in battle with Count Binface

The Reform UK leader triggered the contest after deciding to stand down amidst massive scrutiny over his financial affairs

Satirical candidates are a long-standing tradition in British politics, but few have made as much of an impression as Count Binface. TIME speaks to the novelty candidate ahead of the Clacton by-election.

Farage was elected to EU parliament five times before becoming Clacton MP, while Binface has been less successful – so far Nigel Farage has been standing in British elections since 1994, when he narrowly beat Screaming Lord Sutch of the Monster Raving Loony party into fourth place in a Commons byelection. He was electe

Calling himself the "only fresh thing on the menu," the trash-talking candidate is now in a prime position for the upcoming vote.

Media from Australia, Japan, Greece, France, Finland, Germany, Spain and Ireland have expressed interest in attending the Clacton by-election count

They're the frontrunners to represent Clacton in Parliament - but what do the Reform leader and independent space warrior stand for?

Nigel Farage forced a new election in his parliamentary seat after coming under pressure over his finances. His main challenger is Count Binface, a novelty candidate.

Even Reform voters are lamenting Farage making their town 'look a bit of a laughing stock.'

LONDON (AP) — Nigel Farage depicts himself as an outsider taking on the establishment, but now the tables have turned.

Count Binface faces the Reform UK leader in a contest the mainstream parties are sitting out

Who will win the Clacton by-election? Hugo Gye, our Britain political correspondent, visits the seaside town

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is running in a special election where his main opponent is a man dressed like a dustbin

For Nigel Farage, success brings new pressures and a showdown with Count Binface  AP News

Set in motion by Farage amid a probe into his finances, the election may backfire as all of the major political parties denounced it as a stunt.

Just days before the Clacton by-election takes place, a message has appeared in the skies for those in the area who may still be unsure who to give their vote to.

Binface, who has run against prime ministers past and present, was the first to throw his bucket in the ring when Reform U.K. leader Nigel Farage abruptly quit Parliament.

The by-election has a record number of candidates standing despite being called just a few weeks ago

Timing is everything in comedy and, so it seems, in British politics for a perennial joke candidate who wears a garbage can on his head.

A comedian dressed as a trash can is vying for Nigel Farage's seat in Parliament. Count Binface is Oxford-educated Jon Harvey, whose costumed character has become a fixture in U.K. politics.

Nigel Farage will hold a press conference at 11 on Monday morning with his home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf - follow live updates below

Timing is everything in comedy and, so it seems, in British politics for a perennial joke candidate who wears a garbage can on his head.

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