Farage v Count Binface: Has UK politics become a comedy?

Despite parliamentary recess, the summer has brought with it several interesting political developments. From Burnham’s Prime Ministerial takeover to the rise of Count Binface in mainstream media, has politics in the UK become comedical rather than something that demands respect across the globe?

If they did not before, there are now not many in the country who do not know the name of Count Binface and his fight against Nigel Farage’s by-election. He has run in several elections before, last taking on the now Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Makerfield, but never has he done quite as well as he did in Clacton. Almost 10,000 people voted for a man dressed up as a bin, using comedy to celebrate the wonders of British democracy and the fact that candidates such as himself can stand in major elections. As long as they can pay the £500 deposit, that is.

British politics has always been a bit unserious, with PMQs often seeming more like a playground fight than something that the most influential people in the country should be engaging with. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it is a bad thing to find humour in situations that are, frankly, often quite dire. But as the cost of living means more lives are being made worse because of political situations across the globe, it can come across as a bit out of touch. Or, perhaps, just the breath of fresh air needed when things are looking south.

Nigel Farage himself claimed on the election night that he had “managed to beat the establishment candidate.” Does this itself turn UK politics into even more of a mockery, if a comedic candidate dressed as a bin can be called part of the establishment? Or does it simply show the world that we are an inclusive country, who allow a variety of people from all backgrounds, even an intergalactic space warrior, to work towards making the country a better place?

In the wake of the election, with Farage now an MP again, and the investigation into his finances restarted, many people are asking one question: what was the point of it all? Why drag people to polling stations, why have people up all night counting for an election that seemingly never had any alternative outcome? What was the point if he wasn’t even going to show up for the results? Is Farage making a mockery of the political system just so that he can run away from his problems for a little bit longer? Even worse, is he making a mockery of the people? So perhaps the question is not whether UK politics itself is a comedy, but whether those in it are using it more comedically than seriously.

One Newcastle University student stated that, “he called a by-election… What did it add? Literally nothing at all.”

UK politics is a wonderful thing - democracy and freedom of speech for all, and of course, that comes with the freedom to run against such a prominent political figure dressed as a bin. There is the freedom to truly express what you believe in and get your message out there.

But stability is wavering. We are now into our seventh Prime Minister in ten years, and as parties like Reform and Green are beginning to draw attention away from the traditional go-to choices of Labour and the Conservatives, UK politics is becoming something that people look at and wonder how it is all going to be held together.