Key facts
- Count Binface, a satirical candidate, has stood in multiple UK elections.
- He has previously challenged Prime Ministers Theresa May, Boris Johnson, and Rishi Sunak.
- His best electoral performance to date was 308 votes against Rishi Sunak in 2024.
- The comedian Jon Harvey is the person behind the Count Binface character.
- Novelty candidates like Count Binface are a part of British electoral tradition, often serving as a form of protest vote.
Count Binface, the satirical candidate known for wearing a bin on his head, has a notable history of standing in UK elections against prominent political figures. The comedian Jon Harvey, who is behind the character, has previously stood as Lord Buckethead and later as Count Binface, challenging former Prime Ministers Theresa May, Boris Johnson, and Rishi Sunak, as well as Andy Burnham.
Harvey, an Oxford graduate and comedy writer, first gained attention in 2017 as Lord Buckethead, securing 249 votes against Theresa May and achieving viral fame. In 2019, he switched to the Count Binface persona to contest Boris Johnson's seat, receiving 69 votes. More recently, in the 2024 general election, Count Binface garnered 308 votes when standing against Rishi Sunak, marking his highest vote share to date. He also received 95 votes in a by-election against Andy Burnham.
These candidacies are part of a long-standing British tradition of novelty candidates, exemplified by Screaming Lord Sutch and the Monster Raving Loony Party. While these candidates often aim to poke fun at politicians and offer a form of protest vote, they must meet certain criteria, including a £500 deposit and support from 10 individuals. Count Binface has consistently failed to meet the 5% vote threshold required to have his deposit returned, losing it in every election he has contested. However, the electoral process, which requires all candidates to be present at the count, ensures that even spoof candidates have a moment in the spotlight.