Count Binface ‘carrying hopes of the nation’ says PM in ready Andy Burnham as he honours favorite Manchester band
Andy Burnham turned up at the Silver Clef awards. to honour the band James but ended up championing satirical independent candidate Count Binface and his attempt to win the upcoming Clacton by-election ahead of Nigel Farage
Burnham at the Silver Clefs table with Tim Booth of James(Image: Getty Images)
Soon-to-be new prime minister Andy Burnham has thrown his support behind Count Binface and believes he is “carrying the hopes of a nation”.
The former Greater Manchester Mayor suggested he’d like the satirical independent candidate to win the upcoming Clacton by-election and defeat Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK.
Burnham, who took another step towards becoming the next PM yesterday after a majority of Labour MPs nominated him to replace Sir Keir Starmer, made the playful political gag during a surprise appearance at the O2 Silver Clef Awards in London on Thursday night.
While presenting Manchester band James with a prize, he couldn’t resist poking fun at Binface’s battle with Farage.
Burnham quipped: “Now, the legends who we are here to honour, they have not shied away from politics in their career, but I promise you, I am not going to talk politics tonight, except to say…Count Binface, you are carrying the hopes of the nation, don’t let us down!”
The joke drew howls of laughter from the Royal Albert Hall crowd which included celebrities like Richard E Grant and Lily Allen.
Count Binface, the self styled “intergalactic space warrior” and “leader of the Recyclons” has become a unlikely political figure after the main political parties refused to take part in the Clacton by-election.
Burnham is a huge fan of the band James and asked for their permission to use their 1993 hit, Sometimes in a promo video during the Makerfield by-election.
According to organisers the MP “jumped at the chance” to present the Legend award to them and he said on stage what an honour it was to present the award “particularly as it wouldn’t normally be given to a recently elected backbench MP.”
Sit Down hitmakers James became friendly with Burnham after meeting at their Co-Op Live concert, in Manchester, earlier this year and according to an insider “were delighted that he made the time to come and speak so brilliantly about his love for the band.”
Burnham was the talk of the Silver Clefs, even overshadowing many of the superstar name like P!nk as audience members queued to congratulate him and take selfies with him.
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