{
  "id": 807787,
  "title": "Count Binface has taken on three PMs and lost - but could this be his best ever performance?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/count-binface-has-taken-on-three-pms-and-lost-but-could-this-be-his",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-13T21:01:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC News",
    "slug": "bbc-news",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce97mm3vvemo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Count Binface, the self-proclaimed intergalactic space warrior, has once again made headlines in UK politics, sporting a giant silver rubbish bin on his head. The election veteran, who has been a prominent figure in recent elections, is the main challenger to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage following Farage's resignation and subsequent re-entry into the race. With counting underway in Clacton, on the Essex coast, Binface is expected to receive his highest share of votes yet, as he has lost to three prime ministers and one soon-to-be prime minister in previous attempts. The man behind the bin is comedian Jon Harvey, an Oxford graduate known for his satirical work on BBC shows The Thick of It and Have I Got News For You. Harvey first wore a bin on his head to stand for election in 2017, challenging then-Prime Minister Theresa May in her Maidenhead constituency. Although he only won 249 votes, his performance led to appearances on John Oliver's HBO show Last Week Tonight and a legal dispute with another Lord Buckethead. In 2024, Binface aimed to take on Conservative leader Rishi Sunak, achieving his best result with 308 votes.",
  "summary": "The self-styled intergalactic space warrior wears a giant silver bin on his head and a silver cloak.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Crikey",
        "title": "Why Australia doesn’t have novelty candidates like Count Binface",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/why-australia-doesnt-have-novelty-candidates-like-count-binface",
        "published": "2026-08-14T00:08:48.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}