Forget Odysseus versus Poseidon and Spider-Man versus the assembled supervillains of New York City.

There’s only one head-to-head clash worth following this summer, and it’s happening inside polling booths on a beautiful stretch of Essex coastline.

When Nigel Farage sensationally announced he would be stepping down as Clacton’s MP last month to force a ‘people versus the establishment’ by-election, this evidently isn’t how he thought it would turn out.

Rather than face any of the major parties – they all pulled out within hours of Farage’s speech, describing his move as a ‘stunt’ – the Reform leader’s top opponent is novelty candidate Count Binface.

In the spirit of democratic debate, we set out to ask all 34 candidates in the record-breaking by-election the same questions.

You can find the answers from the others here, but we wanted to focus on the two individuals who, according to polls, are leading the vote.

Here’s what Nigel Farage and Count Binface had to say.

Why would you be a good MP to the people of Clacton?

Well, I’d turn up, for starters. And I will do the two crucial things that the good people of Clacton most need.

Firstly, I will listen to their needs and concerns, and do everything in my power to improve their lives.

And secondly, if I am elected, I guarantee I will increase Clacton’s fame across the entire planet, leading to a huge boost to the region’s economy and making sure Clacton’s voice is heard on the national stage like never before.

Plus I will campaign for affordable 99 Flakes and fairer arcade grabber machines. Which of my opponents can offer all of this?

Since I was first elected in 2024, it has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to represent Clacton. I have stood up and spoken up for the people in Westminster.

I did not want to resign as your MP and have this by-election. But the political establishment forced it upon me. My promises to Clacton are simple: I will always be accountable to you; I will always take on Westminster for you; I will always fight to fix broken Britain for you.

How would you sum up your campaign in three words?

Hopeful. Positive. Tuneful.

What are the main policies you would look to implement if you were the MP for Clacton?

Have you not read my manifesto? It’s all in there, but here are a few of my favourites: I promise to spend more time in Clacton-on-Sea than Washington DC, I pledge to build at least one affordable house, I will campaign to nationalise Adele, and oil and gas companies must pay for solar panels for everyone.

That last one was written by Jack, aged 10, and I’m delighted to feature kids’ ideas in my manifesto. After all, it’s their planet. (And mine.)

Illegal immigration is out of control because politicians choose not to enforce the law, and let foreign courts rob British citizens of a border. A Reform UK government will deploy the Royal Navy to secure our borders and stop the invasion. Not a single illegal migrant crossing the Channel will make it to our shores. We will detain and deport all those illegal migrants already here.

Work should always be rewarded. We will cut taxes on workers, reduce the burden on families, and ensure that people are always better off in work than on benefits. We will also scrap policies that drive household energy bills higher while making Britain more dependent on foreign energy.

Reform UK is the party of alarm clock Britain, and we will stand up for local businesses. We will help you set up a business, with no VAT until you make £150,000, lower taxes for employing Brits, more police to combat anti-social behaviour in our towns, and no business rates at all for our pubs.

Dodgy barbers, vape shops, and candy stores are ruining our high streets and crowding out legitimate businesses. We will introduce mandatory prison sentences and huge fines for employing illegals, sending in the police and letting the public help identify the dodgy operators.

What’s the best night out in Clacton?

Are you kidding? You’re spoiled for choice, but I’m going classic: fish and chips at the Hook of Clacton followed by a glorious evening on the pier enjoying the rides, the bowling, the air hockey, and of course the Hungry Hungry Hippos game, which should be an Olympic sport.

If you could change one thing about the UK more broadly, what would it be?

The size of door frames. I’m sick of hitting my head.

The breakdown in law and order, not just in our towns and cities but also in our rural areas, is one of the most important issues of our time. Reform UK will be the toughest party on crime this country has ever seen. We will restore visible policing, much tougher sentencing for serious and repeat offenders and an uncompromising approach to crime and antisocial behaviour.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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