As expected

 

As expected

As expected, and gloomily predicted, the previous incumbent of the Clacton constituency has once again been voted into power. Count Binface came a creditable second, winning 26% of the total vote and retaining his deposit.

Nigel Farage refused to attend the count, claiming that there was a credible threat of violence against him and that the police had advised him to stay away. The police deny that allegation.

It seems at least probable that he did not wish to face the humiliation of sharing the platform with so many people keen to prick the balloon of pomposity that often surrounds such occasions. Regardless, the Parliamentary inquiry into his affairs will recommence, with the possibility that he will be found in breach of parliamentary standards and be suspended from parliament. That could trigger another by-election!

The political cartoon by Morten Morland shows the Returning Officer (the person who announces the results) saying, ‘The People of Clacton have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the standards commissioner completing the investigation into Nigel Paul Farage.’

The day before this farcical by-election, Ann Widdecombe, who was murdered in July, was laid to rest. Like her or loathe her views, she was as straight as a die, a woman of profound faith who worked hard for her constituents. 

What a contrast!

Clacton

 

Clacton

                                                       Count Binface    

                                                                Image source

There is to be a by-election in Clacton on Thursday 13^th August, brought about by the resignation of its member of Parliament, Nigel Farage. It is alleged that he has wrongly accepted monetary gifts and gifts in kind from dubious sources. He denied all allegations and claimed that he was resigning his seat to put an end to press intrusion into his affairs. He announced that he would be standing as a candidate in the election, in order to test the will of Clacton voters to decide whether he should continue as their MP.

By resigning, he brought to a halt all investigations into his behaviour. Investigations will resume if he is re-elected.

A registered political party may stand more than one candidate if it wishes, provided each candidate has been nominated and authorised by the party. Each candidate must make a deposit of £500 as validation, which is only refunded to them if they gain at least 5% of the total vote.

None of the major political parties have put forward a candidate in the by-election, but there are 34 names on the ballot paper, the largest number in British electoral history, including three established political party candidates. Fourteen more somewhat less conventional contenders include Count Binface who has stood in six previous elections, once under his previous name of Lord Buckethead. He has contested four Parliamentary seats and two elections for London mayor. He lost his deposit each time.

Three candidates representing the Official Monster Raving Loony Party are on the ballot paper. They are Baron Von Thunderclap, (attempted 6 previous seats, lost all 6 and his deposit) Howling Laud Hope (contested 37, lost 37, and failed to get back his deposit) and Nick the Incredible Flying Brick (contested 13, lost 13, and his deposit).

I suspect that many people were hoping that Count Binface would be Nigel Farage’s only opponent, and the eventual victor, but more candidates have jumped on the bandwagon, and the vote is likely to be split several ways.

When all the votes have been cast and counted, the stage in Clacton will be shared by 34 candidates awaiting the declaration in the early hours of Friday morning.

Some may argue that the Clacton by-election is making a mockery of the democratic process by permitting candidates who do not appear to be serious to put themselves forward for election. I believe that we must hear the smaller voices – the man in the fox costume (though I think he may not be standing this time), the Inter-galactic warrior, the people we may abhor but who have a voice for at least some of the populace, those who campaign on just one issue, like having a local dentist in Clacton. We may not support them, but they have a right to be heard.

One thing is certain – all the contestants will claim victory, for that is the way of modern politics.

                                            Courtesy Wikimedia Commons