Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, is facing an unexpected challenge in the Clacton by-election, with a new national poll by Ipsos Mori showing 33% of the public would back the satirical candidate Count Binface, compared to 21% for Farage.
A separate YouGov poll indicated that 40% of Reform UK voters now perceive Farage as 'sleazy,' a sentiment YouGov reported places him as the least popular politician in Britain. However, voters still ranked the Conservative government of 2019-2024 higher than Reform UK on this metric.
Farage had previously dismissed concerns about being perceived as a joke candidate in the Clacton by-election, particularly after major parties opted not to field candidates, leaving Count Binface as his primary rival. He has also refused to participate in joint hustings with Binface, calling the idea 'silly.'
Binface, whose real name is Jon Harvey, is not the only unconventional candidate in the race. Rob Pownall, an independent candidate campaigning for wildlife, is running dressed as a fox.
Another candidate, Paul Ellis, known as 'Mr Fishfinger,' is also competing. 
Other contenders include Piers Corbyn, brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who is campaigning against compulsory vaccinations. Laurence Fox, an actor and founder of the Reclaim Party, is also on the ballot.
Recent polling on Count Binface's policy proposals indicated public support for restoring the price of a 99 Flake ice cream to 99 pence and capping croissant prices at £1. However, voters marginally opposed his ideas to mandate unicycles for rule-breaking cyclists and to revive the Ceefax teletext service.
Dale Vince, a Labour donor and energy tycoon, has pledged financial support for Count Binface's election campaign.
Farage has attempted to downplay the increasing number of unconventional candidates and the negative perceptions surrounding his campaign.
