In awful news - LNER now use Ricky Gervais's gin and whiskey which comes in impossible to open metal bottles.
I'm 80 minutes into a 150 minute journey and appear to be the designated drop of point for problematic (half opened) bottles. I've got my 5th bottle already and I should in theory get 3 for the entire journey.
This is a scandal that I wish more people would focus on. In a first class seat between Newcastle and London, they now only bring you free booze once per hour unless you sweet talk them.
Questions should be asked in Parliament. When I have a first class seat, my glass should remain full.
It's worse than that - on my journey down south yesterday cold drinks were only offered after York and Peterborough...
Now I could have half heartedly complained (as I knew the people working) but that would have created problems if I encountered them on a return leg - I do like a reputation of being polite, vaguely funny and not argumentative...
Old world Virgin West Coast, First class used to be 'unlimited' drinks in first class.
Turns out 'unlimited' equals eight bottles for the Euston to Piccadilly service and no more.
In awful news - LNER now use Ricky Gervais's gin and whiskey which comes in impossible to open metal bottles.
I'm 80 minutes into a 150 minute journey and appear to be the designated drop of point for problematic (half opened) bottles. I've got my 5th bottle already and I should in theory get 3 for the entire journey.
End result was 6 bottles with tonics so I've got 3 in my bag to take home.
Got to say being polite attached to a cheap SeatFrog upgrade justifies the £25 it usually costs.
Never heard of that site, might have to give it a look.
I can't really work out how so many of these rail fare sites make any money as ultimately they aren't in control of the prices (this one excluded as obviously its about paying for empty First Class seats).
It's a small commission per ticket sold (think it's usually 5% or so which is why Trainline and others sometimes charge booking fees).
SeatFrog charge £3 per upgrade with the rest going to the train company.
Was the formation of the SDP the last time before today that a UK party with more than one MP had a majority of its MPs who were elected for another party?
I ask because tonight MPs who were elected as Conservatives form a majority of another party's current MPs.
I hate the final set tie break. The magic of those 847 / 845* game final set matches were epic.
* obviously joking, but I seemed to remember one went something like 70/68.
Isner v Mahut. Took three days.
And was awful and incredibly boring.
A very freak occurrence though. Was it really necessary to just get rid of extended fifth sets because one match went ridiculously long? Felt disproportionate.
The long 'to 10' tiebreak is a great way to finish a match imo. You can't fluke it. There's a lot of tennis there.
I have come to the conclusion that those who accepted the Chiltern Hundreds should be barred from seeking re-election to the house for 12 months and also those who have resigned a legitimate office of profit under the Crown, the Chiltern Hundreds should then be barred from any other office of profit for the same 12 months. Josh Simmond's position is even more tawdry than Farage's
Owen Jones is remarkable in that even a stopped clock is correct twice a day and he never is
Even Prof Peston occasionally calls it right. Obviously not on anything to do with science, but on economics / poiltics when he has been given the insider info.
Wow ! Djokovic is an absolute legend . I know he’s a Marmite character but really at 39 playing like this .
He at least has 2 days off and Sinner has had a very easy draw and has really not impressed. I’ve not been a Djokovic fan but you simply have to respect what he’s doing .
If he does pull of a 25th win it will confirm that he is (annoyingly) the GOAT simply because of how late the last one came and how much work he's done to get it.
He is the goat anyway but #25 would be an astounding achievement. Mind you, Roger was nearly 38 at Wimbledon 2019 - which he should have won. It was that epic final he lost to Novak after having 2 match pts on his own serve.
The establishment are absolutely desperate to bring down Farage. And you can understand why. He's on course to win the next general election.
And that they have that desire makes any suggestion he did not declare gifts properly false or inconsequential somehow?
You seem to focus an awful lot on motivation to the exclusion of all else, and sure that is in play, but there are potential facts to emerge here about whether Farage compromised himself and then, knowingly or otherwise, hid that fact.
If he broke no rules, cool, people will still not like his accepting huge gifts (see the expenses scandal for another case where many made claims within the rules, but people still really disliked what the rules allowed) but he'd be in the clear from a punishment point of view.
But if he did break the rules though do you consider that meaningful at all? As you seem to be skirting that point in order to rant about the establishment.
Turns out Count Binface is seeking money for his campaign..
Count Binface @CountBinface Who needs mysterious Thai-based crypto-billionaires or convicted criminals called Posh George? You can support Team Binface by bunging me the cost of a trio of affordable croissants (£3) at http://ko-fi.com/countbinface. Or don’t. I love you either way.
I think I spent almost twice that buying a coffee in Kings Cross this evening .
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 16m Official. Count Binface v The Establishment Candidate.
I am wondering what political normies who have never heard of Count Binface despite his presence in recent years at high profile by-elections like Makerfield, will make of 'Farage to face off against Binface' headlines.
Did none of the sallow-faced twenty three year old Farage acolytes in his entourage look up from their snapchat and ask:
"What if all the other parties pull out?"
It makes them all look utterly un-democratic.
Now I've heard everything - choosing not to stand in an election is undemocratic. Are parties compelled to stand in by-elections now, what are you even arguing?
Finally the opposition realize to not to indulge him and his pathetic games . He was hoping to swan around playing the martyr . No ones interested . He just looks pathetic . The Norma Desmond of Clacton !
Did none of the sallow-faced twenty three year old Farage acolytes in his entourage look up from their snapchat and ask:
"What if all the other parties pull out?"
It makes them all look utterly un-democratic.
Eh? Democracy was enacted in Clacton in July 24 when they all stood and Farage won handsomely. Why should they participate in Farage's 'save my skin' project?
Finally the opposition realize to not to indulge him and his pathetic games . He was hoping to swan around playing the martyr . No ones interested . He just looks pathetic . The Norma Desmond of Clacton !
He only faces an investigation if he wins the byelection. Until then he is guilty (by his own admission) but not by any judge or jury just yet.
Nigel 5-d chess.
He loses to the Count and therefore avoids the parliamentary investigation and then sweeps back into a seat a few months before the 2029 GE to once more lead his party onto greatness.
Farage's shtick is that the big parties - the "uniparty" - are politically indistinguishable, scared to confront him democratically, and using devious tactics to undermine him becaause they fear him. This just proves that he is right on all counts. DUH"
I assume Farage (and Andy_JS) will say that the other parties are all pulling out because they know they will lose and don't wish to face the Clacton public.
Which, while it is true they would lose, is still incorrect, since that doesn't usually stop them - heck, the Tories went ahead and stood in Makerfield knowing they'd lose their deposit, and the LDs do that all the time.
Farage's shtick is that the big parties - the "uniparty" - are politically indistinguishable, scared to confront him democratically, and using devious tactics to undermine him becaause they fear him. This just proves that he is right on all counts. DUH"
Farage's shtick is that the big parties - the "uniparty" - are politically indistinguishable, scared to confront him democratically, and using devious tactics to undermine him becaause they fear him. This just proves that he is right on all counts. DUH"
Can honestly say that the decision of the establishment parties not to fight Clacton is one of the biggest mistakes they've ever made. But totally predictable. Exactly what Farage was probably calculating would happen.
Farage's shtick is that the big parties - the "uniparty" - are politically indistinguishable, scared to confront him democratically, and using devious tactics to undermine him becaause they fear him. This just proves that he is right on all counts. DUH"
It doesn't prove that. It isn't 'devious tricks' to not stand against him in an election he has forced for, to hear him tell it, absolutely no reason because he's done nothing wrong.
It is true they fear him, to a degree, but 'devious' tactics is just silly when the better point would be just to focus on all the other parties disliking them and making a virtue of that.
And top tip, it's only americans and those overembedded with american online politics who talk about the uniparty - which is why Farage, as opposed to Leon, generally refers to the Establishment.
Farage's shtick is that the big parties - the "uniparty" - are politically indistinguishable, scared to confront him democratically, and using devious tactics to undermine him becaause they fear him. This just proves that he is right on all counts. DUH"
Can honestly say that the decision of the establishment parties not to fight Clacton is one of the biggest mistakes they've ever made. But totally predictable. Exactly what Farage was probably calculating would happen.
Do you consider Restore part of the establishment?
Fascinating events. Creative approach by Farage to take control of the situation, but a surprising and possibly effective approach by everyone else to say they’re not playing.
But let’s say Farage beats Binface and is re-elected, then the investigation(s) into him re-start, they suggest a suspension, there’s a recall petition and another by-election in which everyone stands… I can see voters being fed up then that they have to go vote again. They’ll say to the candidates, “Well, why didn’t you stand a few months ago?” Maybe it increases Farage’s chance of winning that new election.
It all becomes a farce, but I don’t know that the electorate will all blame Farage for the farce.
The parties should privately find some independent, serious candidate to stand this time and win.
Farage's shtick is that the big parties - the "uniparty" - are politically indistinguishable, scared to confront him democratically, and using devious tactics to undermine him becaause they fear him. This just proves that he is right on all counts. DUH"
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 16m Official. Count Binface v The Establishment Candidate.
Given how much centrist dads love Binface, he may be the establishment.
Binface was afaicr a 'led by donkeys' style centrist dad campaign. Rather sad I think. The appropriation and commodification of British eccentricity. I'd be upset if I were the Monster Raving Loony Party.
Farage's shtick is that the big parties - the "uniparty" - are politically indistinguishable, scared to confront him democratically, and using devious tactics to undermine him becaause they fear him. This just proves that he is right on all counts. DUH"
Desperate spin by a Farage lickspittle . Farage looks pathetic and should just fxck off to the USA where he can fellate Trump on a daily basis . He’s a lying corrupt grifter who doesn’t give a fig about improving people’s lives and just wants to turn the country into a cesspit of hate and division . Anyone voting for him should get their head examined .
He only faces an investigation if he wins the byelection. Until then he is guilty (by his own admission) but not by any judge or jury just yet.
Nigel 5-d chess.
He loses to the Count and therefore avoids the parliamentary investigation and then sweeps back into a seat a few months before the 2029 GE to once more lead his party onto greatness.
Before the 2029 GE and Farage is subject to the investigation opening up again with everything from July 2023 to July 2026 and then all of 2028 being fair game...
Farage would need to fight the 2029 election not as an MP and even then there would be 5 miilion reasons to ask this awkward question.
In fact all questions would could hsve 5 million inserted into it without any effort.
I really didn't think Count Binface would end up being an MP for 20 months or so but it looks quite plausible.
Can honestly say that the decision of the establishment parties not to fight Clacton is one of the biggest mistakes they've ever made. But totally predictable. Exactly what Farage was probably calculating would happen.
All very interesting, but I'm none the wiser on whether you think it matters at all whether Farage failed to declare a massive cash gift properly or not.
Sticking it to the Establishment is great and all, and let's say this move is a political win for Farage as you say - even if the by-election is a political win for him, do you think if he failed to declare a gift properly that matters?
If not, why? It cannot be because Clacton voters will have shown they don't care about it, because it hasn't been proven he didn't declare properly yet, so they cannot weigh in on that, merely that they support him presently.
Farage's shtick is that the big parties - the "uniparty" - are politically indistinguishable, scared to confront him democratically, and using devious tactics to undermine him becaause they fear him. This just proves that he is right on all counts. DUH"
Did none of the sallow-faced twenty three year old Farage acolytes in his entourage look up from their snapchat and ask:
"What if all the other parties pull out?"
It makes them all look utterly un-democratic.
Maybe… but let’s say you are charged with a crime, you go to court, and just before the prosecution start their case, you say, “Hey, let’s just ask the jury now what they think.” Farage is playing games to avoid justice. That’s not particularly democratic either.
Yes, the other parties are playing games, but Farage started it, in essence.
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 16m Official. Count Binface v The Establishment Candidate.
Given how much centrist dads love Binface, he may be the establishment.
Binface was afaicr a 'led by donkeys' style centrist dad campaign. Rather sad I think. The appropriation and commodification of British eccentricity. I'd be upset if I were the Monster Raving Loony Party.
He puts in more effort than them, simple as that. It'll all be mostly safe light satire from the centre, but that's in the spirit of a joke candidate to not be very serious. I like his mixing local pledges alongside sillier ideas.
Can honestly say that the decision of the establishment parties not to fight Clacton is one of the biggest mistakes they've ever made. But totally predictable. Exactly what Farage was probably calculating would happen.
I very much doubt Farage expected to be exposed as a Trump like chancer with his attempt to evade scrutiny
This is a farce all of his own making as he is 'Trumped' by the grown ups
Fascinating events. Creative approach by Farage to take control of the situation, but a surprising and possibly effective approach by everyone else to say they’re not playing.
But let’s say Farage beats Binface and is re-elected, then the investigation(s) into him re-start, they suggest a suspension, there’s a recall petition and another by-election in which everyone stands… I can see voters being fed up then that they have to go vote again. They’ll say to the candidates, “Well, why didn’t you stand a few months ago?” Maybe it increases Farage’s chance of winning that new election.
It all becomes a farce, but I don’t know that the electorate will all blame Farage for the farce.
The parties should privately find some independent, serious candidate to stand this time and win.
So we get to December and the joint candidate is again Count Binface...
More seriously all the other parties should be supporting him to the extent of a bit of advice and some support. As Count Binface is easily going to do more for the constituents of Clapton than their current MP has done in the past 2 years...
Did none of the sallow-faced twenty three year old Farage acolytes in his entourage look up from their snapchat and ask:
"What if all the other parties pull out?"
Given that Farage attracts the same supporters as Boris I don't understand the upset, Boris never declared anything, got censored by the Standards commissioner and ignored it.
Farage's shtick is that the big parties - the "uniparty" - are politically indistinguishable, scared to confront him democratically, and using devious tactics to undermine him becaause they fear him. This just proves that he is right on all counts. DUH"
Can honestly say that the decision of the establishment parties not to fight Clacton is one of the biggest mistakes they've ever made. But totally predictable. Exactly what Farage was probably calculating would happen.
To be serious for a second - engaging in the election lends credence to Farage’s complaints. And when he won, it would neutralise the issue given Farage’s personal democratic mandate - just like Trump.
It was a clever albeit desperate move. But now it’s a farce, enabled by a joke candidate. Worse still - people are openly taking the piss out of him across the political spectrum (e.g. the Telegraph and GB News).
Fascinating events. Creative approach by Farage to take control of the situation, but a surprising and possibly effective approach by everyone else to say they’re not playing.
But let’s say Farage beats Binface and is re-elected, then the investigation(s) into him re-start, they suggest a suspension, there’s a recall petition and another by-election in which everyone stands… I can see voters being fed up then that they have to go vote again. They’ll say to the candidates, “Well, why didn’t you stand a few months ago?” Maybe it increases Farage’s chance of winning that new election.
It all becomes a farce, but I don’t know that the electorate will all blame Farage for the farce.
The parties should privately find some independent, serious candidate to stand this time and win.
I don't think the public will react all that much, now or at some future by-election. Not least because without an actual contest going on beyond Farage, Binface, and possibly a handful of other unheard of minor parties and local loonies (as opposed to Loonies), it won't get much press and the reason for it will quickly fade from memory unless it all kicks up again once he is back in Parliament.
But the little things can add up. Farage has a lot of baggage, is very liked by some and very hated by others, and at the moment the party is doing pretty well nonetheless. I'd expect that to continue in the short term.
If he's recalled a second time because he's found to have breached the rules I don't think the outcome will be much affected by their already having been one recently. Reform are strong enough locally he'd probably still win, but the level might be down a little as the few people who are waiting for the evidence to make up their mind would maybe switch, but everyone else will be just as fired up, or not, as before.
Can honestly say that the decision of the establishment parties not to fight Clacton is one of the biggest mistakes they've ever made. But totally predictable. Exactly what Farage was probably calculating would happen.
Sunil Prasannan @PrasannanS85454 · 3m Farage IS the establishment! When was the last time you or I got a £5 million bung?
Can honestly say that the decision of the establishment parties not to fight Clacton is one of the biggest mistakes they've ever made. But totally predictable. Exactly what Farage was probably calculating would happen.
I very much doubt Farage expected to be exposed as a Trump like chancer with his attempt to evade scrutiny
This is a farce all of his own making as he is 'Trumped' by the grown ups
I cannot honestly see in what world of madness the establishment parties not standing in this farce is a mistake given there will be another by-election if he proves guilty of failing to tell the authorities about the small matter of five million quid.
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 16m Official. Count Binface v The Establishment Candidate.
Given how much centrist dads love Binface, he may be the establishment.
Binface was afaicr a 'led by donkeys' style centrist dad campaign. Rather sad I think. The appropriation and commodification of British eccentricity. I'd be upset if I were the Monster Raving Loony Party.
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 16m Official. Count Binface v The Establishment Candidate.
Given how much centrist dads love Binface, he may be the establishment.
Binface was afaicr a 'led by donkeys' style centrist dad campaign. Rather sad I think. The appropriation and commodification of British eccentricity. I'd be upset if I were the Monster Raving Loony Party.
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 16m Official. Count Binface v The Establishment Candidate.
Given how much centrist dads love Binface, he may be the establishment.
Binface was afaicr a 'led by donkeys' style centrist dad campaign. Rather sad I think. The appropriation and commodification of British eccentricity. I'd be upset if I were the Monster Raving Loony Party.
He puts in more effort than them, simple as that. It'll all be mostly safe light satire from the centre, but that's in the spirit of a joke candidate to not be very serious. I like his mixing local pledges alongside sillier ideas.
There is a lot of effort in his proposals. In any other election I would pick another candidate (and complain that our electoral system doesn't insists on me voting for my least worst candidate rather than allowing me to express my preferred candidate) but this time round for 65.5% / 58% (depending on the voting intention you use) of voters Count Binface is the sensible vote..
Farage's shtick is that the big parties - the "uniparty" - are politically indistinguishable, scared to confront him democratically, and using devious tactics to undermine him becaause they fear him. This just proves that he is right on all counts. DUH"
Can’t Sean speak for himself on here? Or is he banned again?
He was having one of his periodic occurrences where he provoked a ban deliberately, hopefully he'll be back but at some point he'll have lost the fun in it.
Did none of the sallow-faced twenty three year old Farage acolytes in his entourage look up from their snapchat and ask:
"What if all the other parties pull out?"
It makes them all look utterly un-democratic.
Eh? Democracy was enacted in Clacton in July 24 when they all stood and Farage won handsomely. Why should they participate in Farage's 'save my skin' project?
I get the argument, but will the voters of Clacton. The other parties all very much want a by-election, they just want it after the Parliamentary investigation has said Farage was a naughty boy. With Davis, there wasn’t a second by-election hanging in the air. Here, there is, and it might come across weird to not fight one but then fight another a short time after.
Can honestly say that the decision of the establishment parties not to fight Clacton is one of the biggest mistakes they've ever made. But totally predictable. Exactly what Farage was probably calculating would happen.
What I've learned tonight is that so long as you yell "Establishment" enough (even if half your MPs were part of it 10 minutes ago), it apparently doesn't matter if you breach the rules, because establishment are undemocratic if they don't do what you want or something. And yet also you didn't want them to stand, yet are angry at them for not doing so, I wasn't clear.
Fascinating events. Creative approach by Farage to take control of the situation, but a surprising and possibly effective approach by everyone else to say they’re not playing.
But let’s say Farage beats Binface and is re-elected, then the investigation(s) into him re-start, they suggest a suspension, there’s a recall petition and another by-election in which everyone stands… I can see voters being fed up then that they have to go vote again. They’ll say to the candidates, “Well, why didn’t you stand a few months ago?” Maybe it increases Farage’s chance of winning that new election.
It all becomes a farce, but I don’t know that the electorate will all blame Farage for the farce.
The parties should privately find some independent, serious candidate to stand this time and win.
So we get to December and the joint candidate is again Count Binface...
More seriously all the other parties should be supporting him to the extent of a bit of advice and some support. As Count Binface is easily going to do more for the constituents of Clapton than their current MP has done in the past 2 years...
There are many things you can criticize Farage for, but doing nothing for the constituents of Clapton isn't one of them... Clacton maybe.
Did none of the sallow-faced twenty three year old Farage acolytes in his entourage look up from their snapchat and ask:
"What if all the other parties pull out?"
It makes them all look utterly un-democratic.
Eh? Democracy was enacted in Clacton in July 24 when they all stood and Farage won handsomely. Why should they participate in Farage's 'save my skin' project?
I get the argument, but will the voters of Clacton. The other parties all very much want a by-election, they just want it after the Parliamentary investigation has said Farage was a naughty boy. With Davis, there wasn’t a second by-election hanging in the air. Here, there is, and it might come across weird to not fight one but then fight another a short time after.
Not really - this election is all bluster with Farage trying to get in front of a ton of crap that is coming his way...
Heck I can see why he thought this plan was a great idea but everyone saw through it immediately and an equivalent joke candidate is available and actually rather more deserving of Clacton's vote.
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 16m Official. Count Binface v The Establishment Candidate.
Given how much centrist dads love Binface, he may be the establishment.
Binface was afaicr a 'led by donkeys' style centrist dad campaign. Rather sad I think. The appropriation and commodification of British eccentricity. I'd be upset if I were the Monster Raving Loony Party.
He puts in more effort than them, simple as that. It'll all be mostly safe light satire from the centre, but that's in the spirit of a joke candidate to not be very serious. I like his mixing local pledges alongside sillier ideas.
He is apparently 'The banksy of satire'*
*has billious attack.
It's just quite manipulative. The MRLP seem genuinely joyous eccentrics. Their being superseded by a soft left marketing campaign in a silver mask is a depressing sign of the times.
One of my pet peeves is when there is a by-election in a very safe seat and the incumbent party, be they government or opposition, then make grandiose claims and extrapolations regarding the entire country as a result of the outcome in Deepest Toryshire and Central Labourville or wherever.
I look forward to Farage claiming his 90% victory in the by-election proves that people all over the country do not care about his financial disclosures which has not yet been adjudicated on and so they cannot give more than a surface level view of.
Fascinating events. Creative approach by Farage to take control of the situation, but a surprising and possibly effective approach by everyone else to say they’re not playing.
But let’s say Farage beats Binface and is re-elected, then the investigation(s) into him re-start, they suggest a suspension, there’s a recall petition and another by-election in which everyone stands… I can see voters being fed up then that they have to go vote again. They’ll say to the candidates, “Well, why didn’t you stand a few months ago?” Maybe it increases Farage’s chance of winning that new election.
It all becomes a farce, but I don’t know that the electorate will all blame Farage for the farce.
The parties should privately find some independent, serious candidate to stand this time and win.
So we get to December and the joint candidate is again Count Binface...
More seriously all the other parties should be supporting him to the extent of a bit of advice and some support. As Count Binface is easily going to do more for the constituents of Clapton than their current MP has done in the past 2 years...
I love a good joke candidate, but lots of voters won’t vote for someone who isn’t serious. Maybe Binface can be another H’Angus the Monkey, but I doubt it.
Fascinating events. Creative approach by Farage to take control of the situation, but a surprising and possibly effective approach by everyone else to say they’re not playing.
But let’s say Farage beats Binface and is re-elected, then the investigation(s) into him re-start, they suggest a suspension, there’s a recall petition and another by-election in which everyone stands… I can see voters being fed up then that they have to go vote again. They’ll say to the candidates, “Well, why didn’t you stand a few months ago?” Maybe it increases Farage’s chance of winning that new election.
It all becomes a farce, but I don’t know that the electorate will all blame Farage for the farce.
The parties should privately find some independent, serious candidate to stand this time and win.
So we get to December and the joint candidate is again Count Binface...
More seriously all the other parties should be supporting him to the extent of a bit of advice and some support. As Count Binface is easily going to do more for the constituents of Clapton than their current MP has done in the past 2 years...
There are many things you can criticize Farage for, but doing nothing for the constituents of Clapton isn't one of them... Clacton maybe.
Remember how many double G&Ts I've had on the train after a couple of drinks earlier. Meh..
Can honestly say that the decision of the establishment parties not to fight Clacton is one of the biggest mistakes they've ever made. But totally predictable. Exactly what Farage was probably calculating would happen.
Respectfully suggest your mind may not be clear. You predicted Burnham to win Makerfield by 0.1 per cent.
Did none of the sallow-faced twenty three year old Farage acolytes in his entourage look up from their snapchat and ask:
"What if all the other parties pull out?"
It makes them all look utterly un-democratic.
Eh? Democracy was enacted in Clacton in July 24 when they all stood and Farage won handsomely. Why should they participate in Farage's 'save my skin' project?
I get the argument, but will the voters of Clacton. The other parties all very much want a by-election, they just want it after the Parliamentary investigation has said Farage was a naughty boy. With Davis, there wasn’t a second by-election hanging in the air. Here, there is, and it might come across weird to not fight one but then fight another a short time after.
I don't think voters care about such things. The uninterested Clacton resident might get briefly confused why they are doing it all again, but once it's explained what is the likely outcome? Mostly shrugs, maybe lower turnout if people are bored of it all, but possibly higher if the others actually stand that time, and those who would otherwise back them would hesitate because they didn't stand in this one? Seems unlikely.
Fair bet for Farage that in an era of acrimonious fragmentation one of the other main parties wouldn’t join others in a boycott & would stand (after all Greens stood in the Haltemprice David Davis election when others boycotted). Now none are it’s much harder to see an upside.
Can honestly say that the decision of the establishment parties not to fight Clacton is one of the biggest mistakes they've ever made. But totally predictable. Exactly what Farage was probably calculating would happen.
Sunil Prasannan @PrasannanS85454 · 3m Farage IS the establishment! When was the last time you or I got a £5 million bung?
People have different perceptions of what counts as the establishment, as is fitting for a rather vague term, particularly if thinking about things like political establishment or cultural establishment. To the angrier, more revolutionary, more racist types in Restore, Reform are totally Establishment. To others, they are still grubby little upjumped proles, but with money.
He may or may not be establishment. But he's got better friends than me with that kind of scratch being a casual handout.
On current Betfair rules you need to be bloody careful for ambiguity purposes (or take it into account if you like rules arbitrage) as to what happens if Farage changes his mind - I don't think he's resigned yet so far as I can tell, and I'm not sure when earliest he can be - tomorrow maybe? - but there is a subsequent by election later due to being found to be outside of rules?
Maybe Owen Jones will stand in Clacton, since he thought the Greens ought to have done so, and he believes someone other than Binface ought to oppose Farage.
Fair bet for Farage that in an era of acrimonious fragmentation one of the other main parties wouldn’t join others in a boycott & would stand (after all Greens stood in the Haltemprice David Davis election when others boycotted). Now none are it’s much harder to see an upside.
That's the wrong attitude. They all fell into Farage's trap, which is why his supporters are simultaneously furious about how the uniparty are ganging up on them undemocratically by doing what he wants.
Did none of the sallow-faced twenty three year old Farage acolytes in his entourage look up from their snapchat and ask:
"What if all the other parties pull out?"
It makes them all look utterly un-democratic.
Eh? Democracy was enacted in Clacton in July 24 when they all stood and Farage won handsomely. Why should they participate in Farage's 'save my skin' project?
I get the argument, but will the voters of Clacton. The other parties all very much want a by-election, they just want it after the Parliamentary investigation has said Farage was a naughty boy. With Davis, there wasn’t a second by-election hanging in the air. Here, there is, and it might come across weird to not fight one but then fight another a short time after.
Not really - this election is all bluster with Farage trying to get in front of a ton of crap that is coming his way...
Heck I can see why he thought this plan was a great idea but everyone saw through it immediately and an equivalent joke candidate is available and actually rather more deserving of Clacton's vote.
When you say “everyone saw through it immediately”, you mean political journalists and us nerds on PB. That is very much not everyone. Voters do not, by and large, follow these matters closely. The case being made is way too complicated for a political soundbite.
“Farage is a bad ‘un and you should oppose him, but not in this by-election, just in another by-election to come.” That’s not a good doorstep message. “Farage took £5 million and kept it secret,” that’s a good doorstep message, but you can’t use that in this election.
Did none of the sallow-faced twenty three year old Farage acolytes in his entourage look up from their snapchat and ask:
"What if all the other parties pull out?"
It makes them all look utterly un-democratic.
Eh? Democracy was enacted in Clacton in July 24 when they all stood and Farage won handsomely. Why should they participate in Farage's 'save my skin' project?
I get the argument, but will the voters of Clacton. The other parties all very much want a by-election, they just want it after the Parliamentary investigation has said Farage was a naughty boy. With Davis, there wasn’t a second by-election hanging in the air. Here, there is, and it might come across weird to not fight one but then fight another a short time after.
Not really - this election is all bluster with Farage trying to get in front of a ton of crap that is coming his way...
Heck I can see why he thought this plan was a great idea but everyone saw through it immediately and an equivalent joke candidate is available and actually rather more deserving of Clacton's vote.
When you say “everyone saw through it immediately”, you mean political journalists and us nerds on PB. That is very much not everyone. Voters do not, by and large, follow these matters closely. The case being made is way too complicated for a political soundbite.
“Farage is a bad ‘un and you should oppose him, but not in this by-election, just in another by-election to come.” That’s not a good doorstep message. “Farage took £5 million and kept it secret,” that’s a good doorstep message, but you can’t use that in this election.
This election is very much - Farage seems to have called a byelection for reasons that he wants to avoid talking about. It's a protest vote so vote for the count as a protest to Farage forcing you to go to a voting booth for no reason.
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 16m Official. Count Binface v The Establishment Candidate.
Given how much centrist dads love Binface, he may be the establishment.
Binface was afaicr a 'led by donkeys' style centrist dad campaign. Rather sad I think. The appropriation and commodification of British eccentricity. I'd be upset if I were the Monster Raving Loony Party.
He puts in more effort than them, simple as that. It'll all be mostly safe light satire from the centre, but that's in the spirit of a joke candidate to not be very serious. I like his mixing local pledges alongside sillier ideas.
He is apparently 'The banksy of satire'*
*has billious attack.
It's just quite manipulative. The MRLP seem genuinely joyous eccentrics. Their being superseded by a soft left marketing campaign in a silver mask is a depressing sign of the times.
Since I think banksy is lame and overrated that is not much praise from my perspective despite its intent.
Can honestly say that the decision of the establishment parties not to fight Clacton is one of the biggest mistakes they've ever made. But totally predictable. Exactly what Farage was probably calculating would happen.
I very much doubt Farage expected to be exposed as a Trump like chancer with his attempt to evade scrutiny
This is a farce all of his own making as he is 'Trumped' by the grown ups
I cannot honestly see in what world of madness the establishment parties not standing in this farce is a mistake given there will be another by-election if he proves guilty of failing to tell the authorities about the small matter of five million quid.
Did none of the sallow-faced twenty three year old Farage acolytes in his entourage look up from their snapchat and ask:
"What if all the other parties pull out?"
It makes them all look utterly un-democratic.
Eh? Democracy was enacted in Clacton in July 24 when they all stood and Farage won handsomely. Why should they participate in Farage's 'save my skin' project?
I get the argument, but will the voters of Clacton. The other parties all very much want a by-election, they just want it after the Parliamentary investigation has said Farage was a naughty boy. With Davis, there wasn’t a second by-election hanging in the air. Here, there is, and it might come across weird to not fight one but then fight another a short time after.
Not really - this election is all bluster with Farage trying to get in front of a ton of crap that is coming his way...
Heck I can see why he thought this plan was a great idea but everyone saw through it immediately and an equivalent joke candidate is available and actually rather more deserving of Clacton's vote.
When you say “everyone saw through it immediately”, you mean political journalists and us nerds on PB. That is very much not everyone. Voters do not, by and large, follow these matters closely. The case being made is way too complicated for a political soundbite.
“Farage is a bad ‘un and you should oppose him, but not in this by-election, just in another by-election to come.” That’s not a good doorstep message. “Farage took £5 million and kept it secret,” that’s a good doorstep message, but you can’t use that in this election.
Yes, by not campaigning this time, they don't need a message for now. This is Farage's ego which nobody forced to happen other than him and nobody is playing along.
Fascinating events. Creative approach by Farage to take control of the situation, but a surprising and possibly effective approach by everyone else to say they’re not playing.
But let’s say Farage beats Binface and is re-elected, then the investigation(s) into him re-start, they suggest a suspension, there’s a recall petition and another by-election in which everyone stands… I can see voters being fed up then that they have to go vote again. They’ll say to the candidates, “Well, why didn’t you stand a few months ago?” Maybe it increases Farage’s chance of winning that new election.
It all becomes a farce, but I don’t know that the electorate will all blame Farage for the farce.
The parties should privately find some independent, serious candidate to stand this time and win.
I don't think the public will react all that much, now or at some future by-election. Not least because without an actual contest going on beyond Farage, Binface, and possibly a handful of other unheard of minor parties and local loonies (as opposed to Loonies), it won't get much press and the reason for it will quickly fade from memory unless it all kicks up again once he is back in Parliament.
But the little things can add up. Farage has a lot of baggage, is very liked by some and very hated by others, and at the moment the party is doing pretty well nonetheless. I'd expect that to continue in the short term.
If he's recalled a second time because he's found to have breached the rules I don't think the outcome will be much affected by their already having been one recently. Reform are strong enough locally he'd probably still win, but the level might be down a little as the few people who are waiting for the evidence to make up their mind would maybe switch, but everyone else will be just as fired up, or not, as before.
Another election just a couple of months after the first is something people will notice. They will ask, “Why are we voting again?” and “Why didn’t you stand last time?”
Comments
SeatFrog charge £3 per upgrade with the rest going to the train company.
I ask because tonight MPs who were elected as Conservatives form a majority of another party's current MPs.
Owen Jones is remarkable in that even a stopped clock is correct twice a day and he never is
Gavin Barwell
@GavinBarwell
Quite tempted to go and campaign for the lad
Quote Count Binface @CountBinface
On my way, Clacton.
https://x.com/GavinBarwell/status/2074606344267517981
Is this also the PB collective wisdom ?
And here we find ourselves.
Charlie vs The Chocolate Factory 🤣
You seem to focus an awful lot on motivation to the exclusion of all else, and sure that is in play, but there are potential facts to emerge here about whether Farage compromised himself and then, knowingly or otherwise, hid that fact.
If he broke no rules, cool, people will still not like his accepting huge gifts (see the expenses scandal for another case where many made claims within the rules, but people still really disliked what the rules allowed) but he'd be in the clear from a punishment point of view.
But if he did break the rules though do you consider that meaningful at all? As you seem to be skirting that point in order to rant about the establishment.
Labour and Tories will not fight poll triggered by Reform UK leader, who faces investigation into donations he received
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/07/07/farage-resigns-but-by-election-gamble-turns-to-farce/
Count Binface
@CountBinface
Who needs mysterious Thai-based crypto-billionaires or convicted criminals called Posh George? You can support Team Binface by bunging me the cost of a trio of affordable croissants (£3) at http://ko-fi.com/countbinface. Or don’t. I love you either way.
I think I spent almost twice that buying a coffee in Kings Cross this evening .
"What if all the other parties pull out?"
Finally the opposition realize to not to indulge him and his pathetic games . He was hoping to swan around playing the martyr . No ones interested . He just looks pathetic . The Norma Desmond of Clacton !
He loses to the Count and therefore avoids the parliamentary investigation and then sweeps back into a seat a few months before the 2029 GE to once more lead his party onto greatness.
@thomasknox
Farage's shtick is that the big parties - the "uniparty" - are politically indistinguishable, scared to confront him democratically, and using devious tactics to undermine him becaause they fear him. This just proves that he is right on all counts. DUH"
https://x.com/thomasknox/status/2074580978853384310
Which, while it is true they would lose, is still incorrect, since that doesn't usually stop them - heck, the Tories went ahead and stood in Makerfield knowing they'd lose their deposit, and the LDs do that all the time.
It is grown ups showing Farage they will no be part of his Trump like manoeuvres
The legitimate election will take place if the standards commission find Farage broke the rules and his finances have been investigated
It is true they fear him, to a degree, but 'devious' tactics is just silly when the better point would be just to focus on all the other parties disliking them and making a virtue of that.
And top tip, it's only americans and those overembedded with american online politics who talk about the uniparty - which is why Farage, as opposed to Leon, generally refers to the Establishment.
"Yes"
"Uniparty"
But let’s say Farage beats Binface and is re-elected, then the investigation(s) into him re-start, they suggest a suspension, there’s a recall petition and another by-election in which everyone stands… I can see voters being fed up then that they have to go vote again. They’ll say to the candidates, “Well, why didn’t you stand a few months ago?” Maybe it increases Farage’s chance of winning that new election.
It all becomes a farce, but I don’t know that the electorate will all blame Farage for the farce.
The parties should privately find some independent, serious candidate to stand this time and win.
https://uk.isidewith.com/parties/count-binface
Farage would need to fight the 2029 election not as an MP and even then there would be 5 miilion reasons to ask this awkward question.
In fact all questions would could hsve 5 million inserted into it without any effort.
I really didn't think Count Binface would end up being an MP for 20 months or so but it looks quite plausible.
Sticking it to the Establishment is great and all, and let's say this move is a political win for Farage as you say - even if the by-election is a political win for him, do you think if he failed to declare a gift properly that matters?
If not, why? It cannot be because Clacton voters will have shown they don't care about it, because it hasn't been proven he didn't declare properly yet, so they cannot weigh in on that, merely that they support him presently.
Yes, the other parties are playing games, but Farage started it, in essence.
This is a farce all of his own making as he is 'Trumped' by the grown ups
More seriously all the other parties should be supporting him to the extent of a bit of advice and some support. As Count Binface is easily going to do more for the constituents of Clapton than their current MP has done in the past 2 years...
Michael Crick
@MichaelLCrick
·
35m
I'm proud to announce I have been commissioned to write the first ever biography of Count Binface.
It was a clever albeit desperate move. But now it’s a farce, enabled by a joke candidate. Worse still - people are openly taking the piss out of him across the political spectrum (e.g. the Telegraph and GB News).
But the little things can add up. Farage has a lot of baggage, is very liked by some and very hated by others, and at the moment the party is doing pretty well nonetheless. I'd expect that to continue in the short term.
If he's recalled a second time because he's found to have breached the rules I don't think the outcome will be much affected by their already having been one recently. Reform are strong enough locally he'd probably still win, but the level might be down a little as the few people who are waiting for the evidence to make up their mind would maybe switch, but everyone else will be just as fired up, or not, as before.
@PrasannanS85454
·
3m
Farage IS the establishment! When was the last time you or I got a £5 million bung?
Besides, Count Binface already has an autobiography, which also covers why he initially appeared in disguise as Lord Buckethead.
Maybe they can AI Vincent Hanna to cover it all?
Heck I can see why he thought this plan was a great idea but everyone saw through it immediately and an equivalent joke candidate is available and actually rather more deserving of Clacton's vote.
*has billious attack.
It's just quite manipulative. The MRLP seem genuinely joyous eccentrics. Their being superseded by a soft left marketing campaign in a silver mask is a depressing sign of the times.
I look forward to Farage claiming his 90% victory in the by-election proves that people all over the country do not care about his financial disclosures which has not yet been adjudicated on and so they cannot give more than a surface level view of.
Even boob whisperer is making Farage look like a tit.
You predicted Burnham to win Makerfield by 0.1 per cent.
I was watching some old Vincent stuff on Youtube recently. And some BBC Radio Scotland of a similar vintage. It really is a different world.
@LukeTryl
Fair bet for Farage that in an era of acrimonious fragmentation one of the other main parties wouldn’t join others in a boycott & would stand (after all Greens stood in the Haltemprice David Davis election when others boycotted). Now none are it’s much harder to see an upside.
He may or may not be establishment. But he's got better friends than me with that kind of scratch being a casual handout.
“Farage is a bad ‘un and you should oppose him, but not in this by-election, just in another by-election to come.” That’s not a good doorstep message. “Farage took £5 million and kept it secret,” that’s a good doorstep message, but you can’t use that in this election.
Not that I'm equating Farage to Arthur Daley. At all.