Novelty Candidates Bring Humor to UK General Election

Are you tired of the same old political candidates making promises they can’t keep? Well, you’re in luck because the UK general election is here, and with it comes a cast of characters straight out of a comedy sketch.

Every election cycle, the UK sees a handful of novelty candidates who blur the lines between politics and satire. This year is no different, with an AI chatbot, an actual pub, and an intergalactic space lord throwing their hats into the ring.

The tradition of joke candidates took off in the 1980s when the Official Monster Raving Loony Party registered as a political party with the motto “Vote for Insanity.” Since then, anyone with a £500 deposit and 10 supporting signatures can stand as a candidate for parliament.

According to Andrew Blick, a politics professor at King’s College London, the rise of novelty candidates may be a response to the increasingly ridiculous nature of politics in recent years. These candidates bring attention to serious issues in a humorous way, making them both entertaining and thought-provoking.

One such candidate is Count Binface, the “intergalactic space warrior” running against Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. With pledges to build affordable homes and nationalize singer Adele, Binface adds a touch of whimsy to the campaign trail.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. A pub in south London has been registered as a political party, with its owner as the sole candidate. Using the democratic process as a marketing stunt, the pub aims to get its name in front of local voters in a unique way.

And let’s not forget Steve AI, the country’s first artificial intelligence candidate. Promising to be available “anytime, anywhere,” Steve AI’s policies are created and approved by locals, with a focus on expanding prison capacity and improving cycling in the area.

Whether these novelty candidates are a welcome break from traditional politics or a sign of the times, one thing is for sure: they add a touch of humor and eccentricity to the UK political landscape. So, if you’re looking for a candidate who will make you laugh while also addressing important issues, look no further than the UK’s crop of joke candidates.