For those who enjoy a touch of absurdity in the murky world of politics there is a by-election in Clacton on the Essex coast of England this week that should fit the bill.
Despite there being a boycott by all the main political parties, there are an astonishing 34 candidates, the highest number ever in a British election. The boycott is in protest at Reform Party leader Nigel Farage for reasons too complicated to go into. However Mr Farage is still facing a challenge from a motley assortment of independent candidates spearheaded by none other than Count Binface, formerly known as Lord Buckethead.
