New Zealand lacks its own Count Binface-style joke politicians
A British by-election features Count Binface, a comedic candidate, prompting nostalgia for New Zealand's defunct McGillicuddy Serious Party.
Britain's Clacton by-election features Count Binface, a space-alien-costumed joke candidate challenging politician Nigel Farage. The appearance has sparked reflection on New Zealand's own tradition of intentional joke parties, particularly the McGillicuddy Serious Party which ran candidates from 1984 to 1999 and became something of a cultural fixture. Creators of New Zealand's more recent Civilian Party discuss what made joke candidates effective and the role satire plays in political discourse.
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Where is the Count Binface for New Zealand?
As Britain enjoys a head-to-head between Nigel Farage and a space alien with a bin on his bonce, the McGillicuddy Serious and Civilian parties are resting in peace. Do read the comments, sometimes. Under an article I wrote the other…