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A message to the people of Clacton

346 replies

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 09/07/2026 18:25

You will win the undying respect and gratitude of the whole nation if you use your votes to kick Farage out and elect Count Binface as your local MP.

And I don't think you will regret it. Underneath the silliness, there is an intelligent man with a genuine commitment to democracy. He might be a joker, but I believe he would serve you well if elected. And definitely better than Farage.

OP posts:
Ormally · 11/07/2026 10:07

The extreme swing could indeed work for Count Binface, I suppose - hope it's not a 5 minute wonder.

BIossomtoes · 11/07/2026 10:09

Ormally · 11/07/2026 10:05

There is getting to Government, and there is staying there, as the last few years have shown very well. When those 'given a chance' were elected, for what reasons did their voting base end up swinging very far from what they had been previously? How extreme were some of these swings from election to election?

Sorry, I’ve read that three times and it still doesn’t make sense. Could you rephrase it?

Justusethebloodyphone · 11/07/2026 10:22

EasternStandard · 11/07/2026 09:52

I understand the point of Kemi and others but I also feel there’s a democratic deficit for voters in Clacton at the by-election.

If someone very much wants to vote for their party they can’t.

I would normally agree wholeheartedly with this but there needs to be a counterpoint to this process of using by elections to manipulate. Its makes a mockery of the general election. And stands need to be taken when people sense that part of the electorate is being manipulated. Look at what happened in the USA. We need to be better than that.

I felt absolutely the same about Burnham and posted a lot about that.

Ormally · 11/07/2026 10:29

BIossomtoes · 11/07/2026 10:09

Sorry, I’ve read that three times and it still doesn’t make sense. Could you rephrase it?

Voters vote on the basis of what the candidates promise. This may be due to personality, policies, or many other things, including "anyone but (other party who I now can't trust)".

They expect the winning candidates to represent them at the level of government. If they promise certain things in their manifestos that matter here, they will expect them to be prioritised and delivered, and that other things do not get a lot worse by doing that.

Looking at the revolving door of No. 10 Downing Street, people express their frustration with as high a level as they can, if they do not think that their MPs have delivered anything. They have not seen big differences under the largest parties for a while now, so they are giving alternatives much more of a chance.

In Reform's case, Farage is the highest level where they could show their frustration. Clacton could do this on a local level, and in that way, the national level benefits (according to many). But Clacton really does not need to be somewhere where there is a totally unworkable (maybe fantasy) manifesto where a relocated hand dryer or one affordable house is offered in sarcasm, to highlight what the others were not bothered about. Promised through a disguised Oxford Classicist with no political administration experience who claims to be "intergalactic". He does have to be understood and stand up to real life in Government, and in Clacton, if he is elected. He has no further team members, only a newly formed voter tribe.

Recent elections have seen red Lab. strongholds sweep to blue, green, yellow etc, from election to election. Not a small change, a total wipeout. The change in the number of MPs this means, and the revolving door at the level under 'PM' is massive. That is the part that hits people and parties locally.

EasternStandard · 11/07/2026 10:35

Justusethebloodyphone · 11/07/2026 10:22

I would normally agree wholeheartedly with this but there needs to be a counterpoint to this process of using by elections to manipulate. Its makes a mockery of the general election. And stands need to be taken when people sense that part of the electorate is being manipulated. Look at what happened in the USA. We need to be better than that.

I felt absolutely the same about Burnham and posted a lot about that.

I’m not fixed and happy to hear the counterpoint. Personally even though the comedian is funny I wouldn’t want to vote for any of them. More broadly it does need to be considered with democracy in mind.

I’m open to views though, after the initial oh how funny bit of binface it’s interesting what’s going on with by-elections and how they’re used.

BIossomtoes · 11/07/2026 10:38

If they promise certain things in their manifestos that matter here, they will expect them to be prioritised and delivered, and that other things do not get a lot worse by doing that.

That patently isn’t true or there would be no independent MPs who are essentially powerless. Only the government can deliver on its manifesto.

CountBinfaceForPM · 11/07/2026 10:40

Ormally · 11/07/2026 10:29

Voters vote on the basis of what the candidates promise. This may be due to personality, policies, or many other things, including "anyone but (other party who I now can't trust)".

They expect the winning candidates to represent them at the level of government. If they promise certain things in their manifestos that matter here, they will expect them to be prioritised and delivered, and that other things do not get a lot worse by doing that.

Looking at the revolving door of No. 10 Downing Street, people express their frustration with as high a level as they can, if they do not think that their MPs have delivered anything. They have not seen big differences under the largest parties for a while now, so they are giving alternatives much more of a chance.

In Reform's case, Farage is the highest level where they could show their frustration. Clacton could do this on a local level, and in that way, the national level benefits (according to many). But Clacton really does not need to be somewhere where there is a totally unworkable (maybe fantasy) manifesto where a relocated hand dryer or one affordable house is offered in sarcasm, to highlight what the others were not bothered about. Promised through a disguised Oxford Classicist with no political administration experience who claims to be "intergalactic". He does have to be understood and stand up to real life in Government, and in Clacton, if he is elected. He has no further team members, only a newly formed voter tribe.

Recent elections have seen red Lab. strongholds sweep to blue, green, yellow etc, from election to election. Not a small change, a total wipeout. The change in the number of MPs this means, and the revolving door at the level under 'PM' is massive. That is the part that hits people and parties locally.

I think if Binface was elected he would take it seriously, he has said he will do his best if that happens. As for him not being a part of a team, does that matter? Independent MPs have always existed.

Ormally · 11/07/2026 10:41

CountBinfaceForPM · 11/07/2026 10:40

I think if Binface was elected he would take it seriously, he has said he will do his best if that happens. As for him not being a part of a team, does that matter? Independent MPs have always existed.

How do independent MPs tend to fare longer term? Genuine question, I don't know.

Persephonia1966 · 11/07/2026 11:17

Ormally · 11/07/2026 10:41

How do independent MPs tend to fare longer term? Genuine question, I don't know.

We had one when I was a child who got in on an anti corruption ticket due to a scandal involving the sitting MP. He was quite popular and responsive to people's complaints. I know this because me and my friends wrote to him (I was en exceptionally nerdy child) about a local issue that affected us as 11 year olds and he replied (or his office did) saying he took the issue very seriously etc. I think that's fairly standard but we were impressed. He was also always popping up at local demonstrations/openings etc. But he only served one term through choice I think.
But I think he was probably as good as regular party MPs.

LuckyHazelFox · 11/07/2026 11:24

Once Binface lost all his regalia in the Commons, he would cease to be amusing.

NoWordForFluffy · 11/07/2026 11:43

LuckyHazelFox · 11/07/2026 11:24

Once Binface lost all his regalia in the Commons, he would cease to be amusing.

I doubt he'd mind that. He's said he'll step up as a constituency MP, so I imagine the costume wouldn't be kept on anyway.

HRTQueen · 11/07/2026 13:15

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 10/07/2026 23:47

I think perhaps we are talking about different things here.

You seem to be talking about Farage's influence. Nobody is disputing that.

I am talking about whether he actually listens to people and cares about what they say. Not whether he makes them feel listened to. It isn't the same thing.

I don't know who you think is patting themselves on the back for being politically astute. It is hardly rocket science to see that, for all Farage's popularity, his "achievements" have enriched him and a few of his cronies while doing nothing at all to improve the lives of ordinary people.

You seem to think that pointing this out is likely to make people even more committed to voting for Farage. I'm not convinced that people are that stupid.

Farage’s integrity and if he really cares will be a matter of opinion I don’t vote for him so why does it matter to those that do what I think of him, it doesn’t. I don’t think his core voters give a fuck he is getting richer to them he hasn’t been in power so can’t make the changes to make their lives better

to think he hasn’t listened to what many voters are saying what they are wanting is naive, lots of people are angry at being left behind, lots of people feel immigration is a huge issue that negatively impacts their life, , lots of people hold racist views they don’t want to hear a load of stats or long term plans they want to hear how their views and fears are valid - it’s an uncomfortable truth

Thechaseison71 · 11/07/2026 14:06

Firetreev · 10/07/2026 07:51

To be fair, most vox pops seem to catch the dimmest people in society. I think there is an element of the Dunning Kruger effect. Bright, informed people realise the limitations of their knowledge on a subject and would avoid the camera. Stupid people aren't aware of how stupid they are, and don't realise they're about to make a fool of themselves on national television.

I would say that Clacton would go up in the estimations of many in this country if they voted for Binface. These seaside towns which keep voting for far right parties stand zero chance of turning their towns around if they keep voting for wealthy, privileged men who are pretending to be their chums. The contempt that their MPs hold for them. Is glaring but they don't see it.

Many people in clacton area transplanted out from newham. So they grew up with labour mps and that didn't help them either

BIossomtoes · 11/07/2026 15:33

Ormally · 11/07/2026 10:41

How do independent MPs tend to fare longer term? Genuine question, I don't know.

Martin Bell was excellent.

Persephonia1966 · 11/07/2026 15:48

Thechaseison71 · 11/07/2026 14:06

Many people in clacton area transplanted out from newham. So they grew up with labour mps and that didn't help them either

Define didn't help...
Newham for all it's problems (and there are issues) saw a lot of redevelopment re the Docklands etc. While there's still quite a lot of poverty there, people who already owned their own homes (often former council houses bought via right to buy) were able to sell them for much more than they paid for them and move out to the seaside where houses were cheaper. This doesn't account for all of the former Newham residents living in Clacton, but it does form a largeish part of the people who choose to retire out there to be by the sea. Of course, as people sold their homes and moved or just moved, new demographics came in and Newham has a very diverse population. But the people living in Clacton were not forced out of Newham so that other people could live there. That's the opposite way round to how it happened. So I can understand people who saw the area around them change as others moved, and then moved themselves might feel resentful. But short of banning people from owning homes, or from selling their homes on retirement and moving I'm not sure what Labour should have done.

Uricon2 · 11/07/2026 20:10

BIossomtoes · 11/07/2026 15:33

Martin Bell was excellent.

I agree. I don't think being an Independent is particularly easy but he managed it very well and CB has an opportunity here. He wouldn't be bound by party loyalty or policy and could just say ClactonClactonClacton until someone listened (which they should)

It could be argued NF had a similar chance, but it is pretty evident Clacton is a means to an end for him and nothing more.

Thechaseison71 · 11/07/2026 20:36

Persephonia1966 · 11/07/2026 15:48

Define didn't help...
Newham for all it's problems (and there are issues) saw a lot of redevelopment re the Docklands etc. While there's still quite a lot of poverty there, people who already owned their own homes (often former council houses bought via right to buy) were able to sell them for much more than they paid for them and move out to the seaside where houses were cheaper. This doesn't account for all of the former Newham residents living in Clacton, but it does form a largeish part of the people who choose to retire out there to be by the sea. Of course, as people sold their homes and moved or just moved, new demographics came in and Newham has a very diverse population. But the people living in Clacton were not forced out of Newham so that other people could live there. That's the opposite way round to how it happened. So I can understand people who saw the area around them change as others moved, and then moved themselves might feel resentful. But short of banning people from owning homes, or from selling their homes on retirement and moving I'm not sure what Labour should have done.

The younger people tended to be council tenants and they were shifted out there. I'm not talking about the homeowners ( I was one but not ex council and I worked for newham council in housing)

Many of them were unemployed anyway.

And newham is still a dive. It's been labour mps there forever and no real improvement. Not talking about people who sell houses and escape but those who are stuck living there.

Ormally · 12/07/2026 10:20

BIossomtoes · 11/07/2026 15:33

Martin Bell was excellent.

I would happily have him back...

ErrolTheDragon · 12/07/2026 19:58

Ormally · 12/07/2026 10:20

I would happily have him back...

I think he’s 87.

NoWordForFluffy · 12/07/2026 20:03

ErrolTheDragon · 12/07/2026 19:58

I think he’s 87.

He is. Maybe not really up for it now!

Warmlight1 · 24/07/2026 06:55

WhateverMate · 09/07/2026 18:39

Exactly.

The OP should at least put this post in the Clacton local SM groups.

Good idea

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