• Home
• Membership
• Who are Count Binface's novelty political predecessors?

Who are Count Binface's novelty political predecessors?

A by-election in the UK constituency of Clacton, triggered by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's decision to quit as an MP and fight to reclaim his seat, features an unusual rival: Count Binface

• Matt Elton

Published: July 16, 2026 at 7:17 AM

Save

• Share on facebook
• Share on twitter
• Share on whatsapp
• Email to a friend

A by-election in the UK constituency of Clacton, triggered by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's decision to quit as an MP and fight to reclaim his seat, features an unusual rival: Count Binface. Yet the costumed candidate is far from the first novelty character to seek election and, in this episode, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter look back at some of the other contenders.

Ad

Plus, as Britain bakes in its third heatwave of the summer, we explore the ways in which extreme weather impacted on the lives of people in previous generations.

Ad

Want to hear more from History Behind the Headlines? Listen to all episodes now

Authors

Matt EltonPodcast editor

Matt Elton is the podcast editor at HistoryExtra

Ad

Ad

Loading...

Ad

Loading...