there will always be an England

I don’t think most of you are following the multidimensional “Posh George” story as closely as you should.

George Cottrell, 32, is reported to have given substantial but undisclosed gifts to Nigel Farage, the Reform MP for Clacton and the would-be Donald Trump of the UK.

“Posh George” grew up on the private Caribbean island of Mustique (home to about 120 private villas). His mum, the Honourable Fiona Watson, daughter of the 3rd Baron Manton, is a former girlfriend of King Charles, who reportedly nicknamed her “Yum Yum.” George served eight months in a US federal prison for wire fraud. A professional gambler, he has reportedly lost $20 million in a single night.

Farage faces ethical scrutiny for his failure to disclose Posh George’s largess. To neutralize the scandal, Farage is resigning his parliamentary seat, which triggers a by-election in which he will stand. His idea is to return to Westminster triumphantly with the support of the good citizens of Clacton.

The other professional parties are refusing to contest this election. However, Count Binface has declared his intention to run. The Count is an intergalactic space warrior who wears a garbage can (a “dustbin,” in British English) over his head. He was formerly Lord Buckethead but had to change his nom de guerre because of a copyright complaint.

I thought that Count Binface might capture the silly vote and give Farage a run for his money. Unfortunately, the silly bloc may now be split, given the entrance of Rob Pownall, 27, aka “The man in a fox costume.” There is also at least one right-wing candidate who takes himself seriously. We can only hope that silly voters–and those who are silly-adjacent or in solidarity with the silly–will unite behind Count Binface (who, after all, was the first to jump into the ring) and at least embarrass the most embarrassing candidate in the race, the Hon. Nigel.

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About Peter

Associate Dean for Research and the Lincoln Filene Professor of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Tufts University's Tisch College of Civic Life. Concerned about civic education, civic engagement, and democratic reform in the United States and elsewhere.

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