Common Core State Standard L.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: Video of a current news event is presented for discussion to encourage student participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the video. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.
07/13/2026
'Count Binface' challenges far-right party leader in the UK
Nigel Farage, the leader of the United Kingdom’s far-right Reform party, is facing an election challenge by "Count Binface," a comic character who wears a garbage can on his head. Farage forced a by-election when he quit the British parliament to delay an investigation over receiving millions of pounds of gifts. Other political parties have boycotted his bid to "allow voters to judge." So, the voters in his election district will decide if Farage is better than a trash bin.
■Class discussion: Are there any politicians that you believe are worse than a trash can? If Sesame Street’s Oscar the Grouch ran for Congress or president from his garbage can, would you vote for him? What do you think of politicians who grow wealthier in office – gaining millions or even billions of dollars a year? Do you believe anybody who gives politicians millions of dollars is not expecting big favors in return? Do very rich people “buy” governments so they can grow ever wealthier?
