Count Binface is to some a novelty character not to be taken seriously and to others, his existence is a form of satire to make a point about the absurdity of British politics.

After gaining a reputation for standing against British prime ministers, Count Binface is now venturing north, throwing his hat (or, bin?) in the ring against Rishi Sunak in Richmond and Northallerton in July.

(Image: Count Binface)

During an interview with The Northern Echo, we tried to get a feeling of what it was like inside the bin to see why the Count chose to stand in North Yorkshire and how exactly he plans to build a 'space bridge' to tackle traffic issues in Northallerton.

I just want to get from one side of Northallerton to the other, is that too much to ask?

"I have visited and adore the entire area. You could say I've just fallen in love with North Yorkshire," Binface said when asked why Richmond.

The extraterrestrial politician will undertake what he calls "hat-trick of elections against British prime ministers" having previously stood against Boris Johnson and Theresa May.

If any voter is persuaded to vote for an alien with a bin for a face over a Labour government, I would argue that Labour needs to try harder.

"There is the wonderful coincidence that the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom just happens to be the sitting MP and and therefore it's a perfect opportunity," he said.

Binface, who previously scored one per cent of the votes in this year's London mayor election rejected the idea that he might split the anti-Conservative vote in the constituency.

"To say that the idea that the only thing stopping people voting Labour is the presence of me on the ballot, I think is, let's just say, an unsophisticated reading of those voters' intentions.

"If any voter is persuaded to vote for an alien with a bin for a face over a Labour government, I would argue that Labour needs to try harder."

(Image: Count Binface)

Binface rejected the argument his manifesto neglects the local area, mentioning it only twice explicitly. 

"Are you suggesting that making national Yorkshire Pudding Day a bank holiday is not a celebration of Yorkshire?

"I'm celebrating the area just like knighting Wallace and Gromit for their services to Wensleydale."

He also pointed out the traffic problem on Northallerton High Street as an important issue, and proposes a "space bridge" as a solution, although costings are yet to be detailed.

"I would simply direct you to a a wonderful documentary series from the 1980s called Transformers and Series one, episode four: Transport to Oblivion", he says.

"The Decepticons very, very easily knock up a space bridge so you know, check it out and you'll see that it's doable. I'm not trying to build a space bridge between planets. I just want to get from one side of Northallerton to the other, is that too much to ask?"

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When asked about his pledge that MPs should live in the area they serve, despite him being from space rather than Richmond, Binface said it was to make the point that "parliamentary representation across the UK has been fractured".

Despite his 'intergalactic responsibilities', Binface is willing to attend hustings if invited.

He told the Echo: "My manifesto speaks its part, but if I can get up before the election, I would love to because as I say, it's a lovely part of the Galaxy."

The full list of candidates in Richmond and Northallerton is:

Count Binface of the Count Binface Party.
Daniel Callaghan of the Liberal Democrats.
Lou Dickins of the Workers Party.
Kevin Foster of the Green Party.
Archibald Stanton of the Monster Raving Loony Party.
Rishi Sunak of the Conservative Party.
Lee Taylor of Reform UK.
Tom Wilson of the Labour Party.