To think Count Binface is doing a great job in the Clacton by-election?

[Darker]

Count down to Bin Day!

Count Binface has been out bigging-up Clacton and drawing attention to its potential.

It’s a really positive campaign.

I don’t think he’ll win but I’d love it if he did. I think he’d be brilliant.

And if he doesn’t, I think other candidates could learn a lot from his approach.

To be fair the average age of the Clacton constituent is 49-50 with a third being 65+ so their concerns are unlikely to be around childcare or being on "the shop floor". Perhaps the pp is confusing derision with genuine questions as to why a majority of those voters who turned out chose a candidate who doesn't reflect their interests or needs at all? As you rightfully point out, Mr Farage has no interest in the people if Clacton other than three photo opportunities in two years and the potential to advance his career and wealth! And still they're loyal to him?

I agree.

Which is why I believe the main parties should have put forward proper candidates. I just don't think elections should be turned into national entertainment, it's not fair to the people living in the constituency. I know people think it's all hugely amusing, but it's not how democracy is supposed to work. And this has nothing to do with me being a fan of Farage btw, I absolutely loathe the man.

So you hold no principles. Gosh, didn't it take a long time to establish that!

Just before you enjoy your day, let me point out that I wasn't disputing your use of statistics (although another poster did actually point out that you'd got it wrong). I was talking about your false rhetoric and your confused style of presenting your opinion as fact. I don't need to be drawn into it; that would be a fool's errand because you present no empirical evidence for your wild claims and were I to challenge them, you'd just counter that with even further flights of fantasy. I don't want to indulge that - second hand embarrassment is not my thing. That is why I recommended that you read, research and become informed. Largely to stop you wasting your own time and everyone else's with meaningless slop and enable yourself to enjoy even more of your day. But do have a nice time in all that you do!

Farage called the by-election no one made him do that.

Farage did it becuase he wrongly belived he could escape parlimentary inspection into his actions - this was never true.

The main poltical parties all saw it for the stunt it was - there is form for this refusing to engage it's happened at least once before.

There is a long history of joke candiates in our system - they often raise important points or channel frustrations and Binface has stood in many major elections in recent years so hardly a surpise he would stand here.

I think entire situation was entirely predicatable from moment Farage declared he was resigning and I don't think it say much about his poltical ablities he didn't forsee it when everyone else did.

I think any decent person would feel the same.

The main parties knew the outcome would be a win for Farage and were happy to let him
win and face scrutiny.

He won, as expected. And is still complaining.

Why waste more time and money now when there will be another election soon enough, either a bye election or a general election?

You've established nothing. Mostly because your tone doesn't lend itself to polite conversation.

@AprilMizzel There is a long history of joke candiates in our system - they often raise important points or channel frustrations and Binface has stood in many major elections in recent years so hardly a surpise he would stand here.

I agree with you, but the history of joke candidates is of them standing alongside candidates from mainstream parties. Which is why I think what has happened in Clacton was wrong, and tbh an insult to the people living in the constituency, who deserved to have a proper choice to make.

Let's hope those decent people don't give their support to antisemitic causes then.

Do you think it was fair not to offer constituents candidates from mainstream parties to vote for?

The people of Clacton will have that choice as expected, at the next General Election. Or, if there is another Bye election due to Farage being expelled.

This election should never have been called.

And in the meantime they are stuck with Farage because the election was not taken seriously- which isn't until 2029.

@Noodledog there was a similar resignation causing a by-election were candiate wanted a debate and the main parties just ignored - that MP got back in. It just didn't get the publicty this one did.

I do think the main poltical parties are happy with the outcome.

There is much more scrunity Reform and Farage - he's wasted resources and the publicty means more people are watching for the parliamentary findings and he's not come out looking great.

Country wide polls are looking less and less good for reform.

The could all still end up needing to do this all again if another by-election gets called which is possible - expect the main parties will engage then and they won't have wasted money and resources now when it can be argued it's unclear/undecided if he done anything wrong.

Farage will be facing the electorate again sooner than 2029. The standards committee is expected to report next month.

There won't be an early general election. I think Burnham is savvy enough to realise that people are exhausted from too many elections held for various reasons.

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Oh you don't like my tone! And yet you've openly admitted that there is no party too racist or misogynistic for you to vote for without shame. I'll keep my tone, you keep your amorality.

The responsibility for which lies solely with Mr Farage.

For what it's worth, I don't think Binface was a joke candidate. I think he's an intelligent man who provided a useful exercise in satire, using humour to point out society's ills.

What is it about my opposition to racism that you struggle to comprehend? Is it because you're so blindsided by your own racism?

Where have I said any of that? You're not very good at this inquisition lark are you? However, if you are talking racism and misogyny, I expect you don't vote for any party, which begs the question, why are you bothered?

Where have I been racist?

Why am I bothered about democracy? Is that a genuine question?

Look at the thread you're on and tell me you are bothered about democracy. That's after you've shown me where I have been racist. Thanks.

Your first point makes no sense. Your second point asks me to justify something I haven't said.