Nigel Farage and Count Binface will go head to head in the Clacton on Sea by-election (Image: Getty/PA)
Since its launch in September 1979 BBC‘s weekly current affairs show Question Time has welcomed politicians and public figures to discuss the issues of the day. In recent times the show has been accused of bias but they have a chance to win back some favour. Following this week’s shock announcement by Nigel Farage on Tuesday July 7 he was stepping down as an MP to fight a “people versus the establishment” by-election, there is only one debate host Fiona Bruce should be facilitating.
With the other political parties refusing to field a candidate in the enforced by-election Farage’s only opponent is Count Binface, the dustbin-headed political outsider who has turned election campaigning into a comedy act. It would be an absolute travesty if Farage and Binface were not invited on the show to share their policies. Indeed – it would show the broadcaster is clearly biased against bin-identifying candidates – something they may never recover from in this woke era.
While I am being somewhat facetious with that last remark, only the most closed-minded commentator could deny this would be absolute TV gold. And possibly the most sensible political broadcasting we have seen in some time.
Sadly it appears we may be denied the sight of Farage facing off against his challenger as he has refused to debate him, and I doubt even the lovely Fiona Bruce’s powers of persuasion would change that.
However welcoming Binface onto the show on his own would give the public a chance to see what he actually stands for – and give Question Time a whole new lease of life.
Behind the costume is Jon Harvey, a 46-year-old comedy writer and producer whose credits include shows such as Have I Got News for You and The Thick of It. With his sharp mind and quick wit this could prove the greatest episode of Question Time ever and bring the show to a whole new audience.
Fiona Bruce could host the greatest episode of Question Time ever if she invited Count Binface on (Image: BBC)
During a recent interview, the eccentric candidate promised policies including a £2 price cap on Wigan kebabs, forcing cyclists who break road rules to ride unicycles, and rerouting HS2 through the homes of railway executives and one viewer described the clip as “the greatest 2 minutes and 44 seconds of television” they had seen.
Imagine what he could do with a full hour’s platform to plead his case ahead of the election. In the absence of a debate, this would be a brilliant alternative.
It would also serve to demonstrate how farcical British politics has become in recent times and perhaps give the current Parliament some food for thought.
The BBC and Fiona Bruce need to make this TV moment happen. It is the political content the public needs right now.