To quell graft allegations, Nigel Farage runs against a man wearing a trash can

12 hours ago 3

Democracy Dies in Darkness

The British ally of President Donald Trump wanted a vote of confidence. Instead, other parties dumped their campaigns, and a comedian stepped in.

July 15, 2026 at 5:00 a.m. EDT7 minutes ago

Count Binface speaks to members of the press last month in Wigan, England. The costumed comedy writer is facing Reform UK co-founder Nigel Farage in a parliamentary election. (Temilade Adelaja/Reuters)

LONDON ― Next month, the ballot of a parliamentary election in the little English seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea will feature two prominent figures: One is Nigel Farage, the architect of Britain’s 2016 vote to leave the European Union, friend and ally of President Donald Trump, and co-founder of the surging anti-immigration Reform UK party.