A campaigner who intended to run against Nigel Farage in the Clacton by-election while dressed as a fox has pulled out of the race, denouncing it as a 'farce' and a 'circus'. Rob Pownall, 27, revealed to Metro last week his plan to stand in the vote to highlight the plight of British wildlife and Farage's support for fox hunting.
Pownall's decision to withdraw
In a video posted on the evening of July 13, Pownall stated: 'This by-election was already something of a farce, I think we all know that. But it's now become more of a circus than even I expected.' He cited the entry of right-wing activist Laurence Fox and former Married at First Sight star Luke Worley into the race, adding: 'I just don't think our cause is helped by sharing a stage with these people.'
Pownall previously stood in the Makerfield by-election won by Andy Burnham last month, receiving 18 votes while wearing the same fox costume with haunting yellow eyes. He also contested Edinburgh Central in May's Scottish Parliament election dressed as a gannet, securing 41 votes.
Reaction to his announcement
His initial announcement on July 11 prompted a wave of social media comments accusing him of threatening to split the 'novelty candidate' vote in Clacton. Critics of Farage have sought to frame the by-election as a race between the Reform leader and 'independent space warrior' Count Binface. Pownall's campaign group Protect the Wild was forced to comment on every Clacton-related Facebook post, insisting his vote count would be too small to make a difference.
The Clacton by-election context
The by-election was triggered when incumbent MP Nigel Farage announced his resignation to stand again, amid scrutiny over undeclared donations and other support. In a speech on July 9, Farage declared it a 'people versus the establishment' vote, but every major party declined to field candidates, labeling the move a 'stunt' and a 'vanity project'. This leaves Farage facing a lineup of celebrities, no-hopers, novelty candidates, and Jeremy Corbyn's brother Piers. Count Binface has captured public imagination as the best hope to embarrass Farage at the ballot box.
An Ipsos poll published last week found that 33% of Brits hoped Binface would win the Clacton by-election, compared to 21% backing Farage. Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Deputy PM David Lammy, and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch all referenced Binface in their responses. Farage dismissed the idea of debating the anthropomorphic bin as 'silly'. Furthermore, prime minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham said while presenting an award: 'Count Binface, you are carrying the hopes of the nation.'
