From Elmo to AI Steve: The unusual candidates adding colour to the UK election

As Rishi Sunak or Keir Starmer gear up to take center stage and potentially claim victory in the upcoming British election on Friday, they are stepping into a realm of political theater like no other.

Amidst the vibrant spectacle of democracy in action, alongside the traditional contenders, stand a cast of characters as diverse as they are unconventional. From a man sporting a trash can as a helmet to a figure reminiscent of “Elmo” from the Muppets, these personalities add a splash of color and satire to the electoral landscape.

They represent the quirky side of British politics and are among the eclectic mix of over 4,500 candidates vying for Parliament’s 650 seats.

Here’s a closer at these unique candidates.

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Count Binface

Dressed in a silver outfit with a matching cape and wearing a silver trash can as a helmet, Count Binface, the self-proclaimed “intergalactic space warrior, leader of the Recyclons from planet sigma IX”, will be challenging Prime Minister Sunak in his constituency in northern England.

“That’s right, under the British system I get to stand against Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, it’s brilliant,” Binface, aka comedian Jonathan Harvey, told Reuters.

Among his eye-catching policies are promises to price-cap croissants at 1.10 pounds ($1.39), national service for all former prime ministers, and that he should represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest.

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“It might be true that on Thursday night or Friday morning I haven’t beaten Rishi Sunak numerically,” Binface, who has been endorsed by one national newspaper, the Daily Star tabloid said. “But I would argue the moral victory will be mine,” he added.

This isn’t the first time Binface is competing, he is a familiar face — or helmet — at British elections, having stood against two ex-prime ministers, Theresa May in 2017 — albeit then in his former guise as Lord Buckethead — and Boris Johnson in 2019. He also contested the London mayor elections in 2021 and in May this year when he won 24,000 votes.

If elected to victory this time, Binface aims to make the July 4 election “Bindependence Day”.

The Loonies

The veterans of the UK comedy candidate genre belong to the Official Monster Raving Loony Party which was formed in 1982 and has regularly contested elections ever since.

This year it is fielding 22 candidates, including Howling ‘Laud’ Hope, the party leader, Baron Von Thunderclap, and Earl Elvis of East Anglia.

Since its inception, the party has fought 76 by-elections and participated in every general election with candidates including R. U. Seerius, The Flying Brick, Bananaman Owen, Mad Cow-Girl, Sir Oink A-Lot and Lady Lily The Pink.

Despite their colorful campaigns, the Loonies have yet to send an MP to Parliament. In fact, the “Howling Laud” Hope had told BBC that if any candidate gets too many votes, they will automatically be kicked out on the grounds that they have been insufficiently ’loony’.

AI Steve

“AI Steve” aims to make history as the world’s first AI lawmaker, represented by Sussex businessman Steve Endacott. He’s stepping into the political fray alongside traditional candidates to represent Brighton Pavilion in Brighton and Hove.

Endacott, chairman of Neural Voice, a company specialising in personalised voice assistants, conceived AI Steve to revolutionise political accessibility. AI Steve’s unique selling point lies in its ability to engage constituents around the clock. Endacott said through advanced AI technology, voters can interact with AI Steve to discuss policies and express concerns, ensuring their voices shape decision-making.

Meanwhile, the Psychedelic Movement Party candidate in Southend is standing on pledges to ignore the law and open 24-hour cannnabis cafes.

The Mitre pub

Chris French, owner of The Mitre pub in Richmond, London, has taken an unconventional route by registering his pub as a political party and nominating himself as the sole candidate for Richmond Park in the general election.

His primary motivation? Utilising the opportunity for free advertising on 77,000 ballot papers.

French, 47, who has owned The Mitre for more than eight years, shared his rationale with the PA news agency: “Our little pub in Richmond is a hidden gem, but many locals are unaware of its existence despite living here for decades. This got me thinking about ways to raise awareness, and about a year ago, it struck me that registering for election candidacy would provide free publicity through the ballot papers.”

Although he doesn’t anticipate defeating sitting MP Sarah Olney of the Liberal Democrats, French remains upbeat about securing at least one vote—his own.

“I’ll definitely be voting for myself, so that’s one vote guaranteed,” he quipped, humorously adding, “If I only get one vote, it might be quite a chilly evening. Hopefully, I’ll manage to secure two votes,” he said.

Elmo

Elmo, the red Muppet character who speaks in a high-pitched falsetto voice and frequently refers to himself in the third person will be competing in this year’s UK elections. again.

Portrayed by Bobby Smith, Elmo will be contesting against Labour leader Starmer and plans to change the law on fathers’ rights.

In the last elections, he competed against ex-UK PM Boris Johnson, securing eight votes to Johnson’s 25,351.

Keeping jokes aside, Count Biface said it was important to protect democracy in a year when “over half the eligible humans on your planet” would go to the polls.

“I’m here to cherish it, to defend it, to celebrate the fact that anyone in the UK can not just vote but you all stand for election whatever your platform or however idiotic you look,” he said. “I urge everyone … do go out to vote, and most importantly, make your vote, count.”

With input from agencies