Bookmakers have dramatically shortened the odds on Count Binface pulling off the upset of the century in the forthcoming Clacton by-election after the UK’s major political parties collectively decided to stay at home.
With Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens all refusing to field candidates against Nigel Farage, the intergalactic anti-corruption campaigner in a bin-shaped helmet suddenly finds himself as the most credible opposition on the ballot paper.
The market has reacted accordingly.
What began as novelty pricing for Britain’s best-known satirical candidate has quickly turned into something approaching a serious punt, with bookmakers slashing Binface’s odds as punters pile into the only non-Reform name with a realistic chance of causing an embarrassment.
Social media, meanwhile, has fully embraced the moment. Calls to “Vote Binface” have spread rapidly online as voters discover that, in a field conspicuously lacking in actual opposition parties, the Count is now effectively leading the resistance.
Farage triggered the by-election after resigning his seat amid mounting scrutiny over undeclared financial support and a £5 million gift currently under investigation, insisting he wanted the people of Clacton to deliver their verdict.
They now appear to have two options.
One is Nigel Farage.
The other is a 5,900-year-old space warrior from the planet Sigma IX whose flagship policies include renationalising hand dryers and making croissants legally required to contain butter.
For once, bookmakers aren’t entirely sure which is more British.