Why Candidates Dress Up and Run in Major UK Elections

Unconventional Politics in the UK

Andy Burnham, a prominent figure aiming to become the next prime minister, made history when he won the Makerfield by-election. His victory was marked by an unusual sight—standing shoulder-to-shoulder with a man in a fox costume and an “intergalactic space warrior” with a bin for a face. These costumed characters were not out of place for the public and supporters, as they all shook hands with Labour’s Burnham before his victory speech.

This kind of eccentricity is common in British politics, where candidates often run for various reasons. Their satirical stances can bring attention to serious messages and even influence future laws.

Rob Pownall: A Voice for Wildlife

Rob Pownall, who runs the advocacy organization Protect the Wild, recently ran for the Makerfield seat dressed as a fox. He described it as a “brilliant display of British democracy in action,” highlighting the unique eccentric energy of the country.

Pownall has previously run as a candidate, dressing as a giant gannet during his campaign for the Scottish Parliament to end the Guga hunt, a centuries-old tradition. His motivation was to “shine a light on issues that don’t get the headlines.” During the event, he took the opportunity to speak about his advocacy for better protection of British wildlife.

“I urged him if he is to become prime minister to actually do something to protect animals, whether to finally end fox hunting for good or committing to a complete end to the Badger cull,” he said.

Count Binface: A Political Satirist

Another notable character in the election is Count Binface, who has regularly appeared against well-known politicians, including former prime ministers Rishi Sunak, Boris Johnson, Theresa May, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan. His manifesto for Makerfield includes policies such as being the UK’s entrant at Eurovision 2027 and ensuring that trains have working wifi and functionality.

Speaking to Sky News, Count Binface mentioned reasons for running, including replacing traffic lights on Liverpool Road, price-capping Wigan kebabs at £2, and building affordable housing. He also suggested that elected mayors should serve their terms before standing for parliament.

Alan “Howling Laud” Hope and the Loony Party

Another costumed character in the Makerfield race was Alan “Howling Laud” Hope, leader of The Official Monster Raving Loony Party. Hope has been involved in creating the tradition of running for election in costumes for over 40 years. He has run against former prime ministers David Cameron, Boris Johnson, and Theresa May, and claims to have run at least 38 times.

The party, founded in 1982 by Hope and the late David Sutch (also known as “The Screaming Lord Sutch”), has put up more than 200 candidates over the years. Sutch, a rock ‘n’ roll musician, first ran in 1963 and also ran against Harold Wilson in the 1966 election, running for 41 parliamentary seats in total.

Impact of the Loony Party

While the party kicks members out if they stand a chance of winning, certain policies it has campaigned on since its formation in 1983 have become law. For example, the party’s push for pubs to remain open during the day led to changes in 2005. It also called for the reduction of the voting age to 16, which is now allowed in Scotland and Wales.

In 1985, the Conservative government introduced laws requiring candidates who poll less than 5% of the total valid votes to lose their deposit. However, this policy faced criticism after candidates like Sutch ran in costume in the 1986 Fulham by-election.

“[The election] took place against a backdrop of a lot of people dressed like idiots, behaving like idiots and waving idiotic slogans.”

“I think we probably are just going to have to live with this,” he told the Daily News Lite at the time.

The Future of Eccentric Politics

The presence of these unconventional candidates highlights the diversity of political engagement in the UK. While their approaches may seem humorous, they often bring attention to important issues and contribute to the democratic process in unique ways.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, the role of these characters remains a fascinating aspect of British democracy, offering both entertainment and a platform for alternative voices.