Madcap novelty candidates from baked bean-obsessed superhero to man with boot on his head
Count Binface could end up the only candidate facing Nigel Farage in Clacton-on-Sea, as the Daily Star revealed this week.
The intergalactic space warrior has vowed to go head-to-head with the Reform UK leader in the coming by-election. And with all the main parties refusing to stand, it would make him Farage’s main rival.
But the hard-working Recyclon is not the first unusual character to face the polls. Here Meg Jorsh takes a look at some others…
Kicking and screaming
Elections haven’t always been full of weirdos in fancy dress. It all started in 1963 with shock rocker David Sutch – better known as “Screaming Lord Sutch”.
The musician stood for the first time in Stratford-upon-Avon, at a byelection triggered by the resignation of Foreign Secretary John Profumo. He had been forced to quit following his scandalous affair with 19-year-old Christine Keeler.
Sutch, then aged 23, stood representing his own National Teenage Party. He argued that, with adults doing such stupid things, the voting age should be lowered from 21 to 18.
From loony to bin
In 1982, Sutch founded the Monster Raving Loony Party. He stood for election 38 times as their leader, with policies ranging from “all socks to be sold in packs of three” to “subsidised heated loo seats.”
But his other ideas don’t seem nearly so loony these days. He campaigned for 24-hour licensing laws, pet passports and the legalisation of commercial radio, all of which have since become reality.
Tragically, Sutch took his own life in 1999, aged 58. The party is now led by Alan Hope – AKA “Howling Laud Hope.”
Having an oddball
Lord Sutch opened the floodgates for a torrent of election misfits. Highlights – aside from Binners – include Captain Beany, a baked bean-obsessed superhero often seen at the polls in South Wales.
Former boxer Terry Marsh was an independent candidate in the 2010 and 2015 general elections, having changed his name by deed poll to None Of The Above X. And YouTuber Niko Omilana stood for London mayor in 2021 and 2024.
Special mention goes to Tom Scott, who actually won the vote for president of the University of York Student Union in 2008, while dressed as a pirate.
USA OK
It’s mainly a British tradition – but the US has been catching up in recent years. The Nobody for President campaign ran throughout the 70s and 80s, although it didn’t have any physical candidates.
Satirist Deez Nuts stood for president in 2016, with the backing of rappers Warren G and Ice-T. And performance artist Vermin Supreme has thrown his hat – a Wellington boot – into the ring six times.
Then there’s the star of reality show The Apprentice, who hilariously tried to become the US leader. Oh, wait…
