Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Loony leader fights Cameron with insanity
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Asia Pacific
World
Loony leader fights Cameron with insanity
AFP - Wednesday, May 5
Send
IM Story
Print
Alan "Howling Laud" Hope, Leader of the Monster Raving Loony Party, emerges from the West Oxfordshire District Council offices after declaring his intention to run for parliament in Witney, Oxfordshire, in April 2010. Hope is running against David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party for the constituency political seat.
WITNEY (AFP) - – If David Cameron is to become the next prime minister, his first act will be to shake the hand of the self-confessed biggest loony in the country.
The Conservative party leader is certain to retain his seat in parliament representing Witney, a picturesque market town in the Oxfordshire countryside.
But lining up against him is Alan "Howling Laud" Hope, the leader of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party, which has a 47-year tradition of fighting British elections from a standpoint of stupidity.
Dressed in a white suit, a giant white hat and a leopard print bow tie, the portly Hope has brought his megaphone to Witney High Street after a boozy time canvassing two dozen pubs the night before.
Forgetting his keys in the car door as he toddles onto the town green, the jovial Hope hands out one million pound notes and yells "Vote for insanity: you know it makes sense!"
"Those who've seen it all before, heard it all before and still don't believe it, that's the votes we pick up," he told AFP. "We bring a sense of humour, a sense of fun to something that is quite serious.
"It's a bit of good old England. I'm not sure you could get away with it anywhere else. This is democracy at its best! A wasted vote is if you don't vote at all," he explains.
"If I was to get two or three thousand votes, it would make the other parties think about getting things right, because with the expenses scandal they have made such fools of themselves."
The party, founded by the late Screaming Lord Sutch, has 136,000 members worldwide.
They are the "official" loony party to distinguish themselves from the unofficial nutters who end up running the country, Hope explained.
"I should be standing against the prime minister, Gordon Brown, but I didn't want to go to Scotland, it's too far," the rosy-cheeked 67-year-old said in his campaign headquarters -- the Red Lion pub in Witney.
"But if Cameron's going to become PM, this is where the world's cameras are going to be."
And Hope is determined to be the first to shake his hand when the results of Thursday's vote are read out.
Also among Cameron's nine opponents standing in Witney are "comedy terrorist" Aaron Barschak and historian Nikolai Tolstoy, a member of the prominent Russian family.
From Fleet, southwest of London, Hope was in a country music band before retiring in 2005 after two decades as a pub landlord.
He ran the party alongside his Cat Mandu before the joint-leader was killed in a traffic accident.
His campaigning in Witney involves "a few pints, going to the Indian restaurant and generally meeting people and making them smile and laugh. If a smile was a vote, I'd win by a landslide.
"I don't know what I'm going to be doing. If you plan things, they don't work."
As for policies, "make them up as you go along", he said. "Nothing wrong with sensible loonyism."
The party manifesto advocates rearing cattle in restaurants to cut down on transport, combating global warming by putting air conditioning outside and making poets apply for a poetic licence to curb shoddy verse.
But many of their once-loony ideas, designed to poke fun at existing rules, are now the law, such as 24-hour drinking, votes at 18, commercial radio and passports for pets.
Their other candidates standing elsewhere include R. U. Seerius, Lord Toby Jug, Monkey Drummer, Baron Von Thunderclap, Crucial Chris, Top Cat Owen, Flying Brick and Eddie "Elvis" Vee.
The leader is philosophical about his chances of beating Cameron.
He said: "Of course I'm not going to win the seat, I'm not loony enough to even think I'm going to.
"We'll see if we can have a victory party the night before."
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - 31 minutes ago
Bret Michaels expected to recover fully: doctor Reuters - 32 minutes ago
Jim Carrey, Brad Pitt top list of Webby winners Reuters - 57 minutes ago
Letterman extortionist sentenced in NY to 6 months Reuters - 1 hour 11 minutes ago
Lionel Richie to open Montreal jazz festival AFP - 1 hour 36 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
'Ice broken' at climate meet, but progress glacial
Arizona sheriff campaigns against illegal immigration
BP deploys giant 'dome' to stem oil spill
Mosque 'arson' casts shadow over new Mideast peace talks
Depression 'treatable by electromagnetic therapy'
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
United, Continental forge world's biggest airline
Shroud of Turin 'mirrors' human suffering: pope
US scores poorly on world motherhood rankings: charity
British actress Lynn Redgrave dies at 67
Man hunted over foiled Times Square car bomb
More Most Viewed »
Aliens may exist but contact would hurt: Hawking
Apple engineer loses iPhone prototype
French driving veil row escalates
Airlines want compensation as Europe's skies reopen
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Wednesday, 5 May 2010 Russia says "optimistic" on Iran sanctions talks
'Ice broken' at climate meet, but progress glacial
Pakistan makes arrests connected to NYC bomb attempt
|
Google to start selling electronic books
Palestinian Authority bans work in settlements
Volcanic ash to close Scottish, N. Ireland airspace
|
U.S. sends two from Guantanamo to Spain, Bulgaria
|
Arizona sheriff campaigns against illegal immigration
Thousands march in Athens to protest austerity
|
BP deploys giant 'dome' to stem oil spill
Two Iraq Shi'ite blocs agree on alliance
|
Mosque 'arson' casts shadow over new Mideast peace talks
Six Census Workers Die In Separate Accidents
Depression 'treatable by electromagnetic therapy'
Popular Diabetes Medication Shown To Have Greater Uses
Obama Administration Reiterates Studying Other Universal Healthcare Methods
Dutch prosecutor appeals Holocaust cartoon acquittal
|
BP share price dives on oil spill concerns
More Afghan schoolgirls ill in suspected gas attack
|
Obama Reiterates Confidence In FBI, Lauds Role Of Vendors
U.S. Pending Home Sales Rise 5.3 Percent In March
Oprah, Janet Jackson Step Out In Couture For Costume Institute Gala
Producer Rodney Jerkins Says He's Creating Something "Incredible, Unbelievable" For Britney Spears
Air France crash search extended in mid-Atlantic
|
New York car bomb suspect faces terrorism charges
NKorea's Kim to meet Chinese leaders on rare visit
MasterCard Q1 Profit Jumps On Strong Transaction Volume
South American summit slams Arizona immigration law
Pakistan makes arrests over Times Square bomb
New Oklahoma Abortion Law On Ultrasounds Halted Until Hearing
U.S. Senators Propose Raising Age For Student Drivers
Japan PM: Moving US base off Okinawa 'impossible'
Two held in Pakistan over failed New York bomb attack
Pakistan makes arrest over Times Square bomb
Pakistan detains man over Times Square bomb
Democracy icons' son poised to lead Philippines
America will not be 'terrorized': Obama
Japan protests to Beijing over chasing in East China Sea
Suspect should never have got on plane: NY mayor
Japan PM abandons plan to move US base off Okinawa
Fleeing suspect arrested over NY bomb plot
RLPC-Banks ready $700 mln loan for AIG's Taiwan unit sale
Nissan recalls 130,000 cars over airbag flaw
France's Carrefour sets sights on India
China's Agricultural Bank applies for Hong Kong IPO
Cambodia, Japanese firm sign oil study deals
China's Huawei seeks India meeting over telcom ban: report
Australia mining tax blamed for exploration halt
Tintin in peril: Congolese man seeks court ban on 'racist' cartoon
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Jimmy Fallon to host the Emmys
Algeria Cannes film sparks colonial row in France
"Fela!." "La Cage aux Folles," lead Tony nominations
Loony leader fights Cameron with insanity
French parliament votes to return Maori heads to New Zealand
Pavement is home for angry Egyptian protesters
FIFA adds S.African artists to World Cup concert
Television bad for children: Canadian study
Letterman extortionist sentenced in NY to 6 months
|
Bret Michaels expected to recover fully: doctor
|
Jimmy Fallon to host the Emmys
|
Jim Carrey, Brad Pitt top list of Webby winners
|
Fela!. La Cage aux Folles, lead Tony nominations
|
Iraq deadlock broken as Shiite parties join forces
UK leaders in frantic last minute polls push
Thai protesters hold ground on Bangkok's streets
|
US-TECH Summary
Moscow hosts massive parade rehearsal
ECB rates to remain stable amid Greek crisis
Intel revamps Atom platform for smartphone push
Iran agrees in principle to Brazil's mediation
|
Europe debt fears hammer financial markets
HP refreshes PC lines, adds AMD chips
Flight restrictions imposed again in Ireland
|
Governments and human rights warriors battle online
North Korea's Kim visits Chinese port city, Tianjin
|
US Treasury website hacked, then suspended
Avatar, newspaper ad recovery boost News Corp.
China backs international efforts to secure cyberspace
Chinese rescuers in Myanmar after mine accident
|
Ships rushed to Gulf islands as first oil arrives
Party leaders make final tour of Britain for votes
|
New UN sanctions would doom US-Iran ties: Ahmadinejad
Frantic effort to ensure Philippine vote continues
NY bomber charged with terrorism, Pakistan links
N.Korea deploys 50,000 soldiers to border: report
Mosque 'arson' casts shadow over new Mideast peace talks
Thai protesters hold ground on Bangkok's streets
China spending plans in restive Xinjiang: media
Sri Lanka plans ethnic reconciliation panel
Nepal's Maoists block roads to government offices
Militants attack Afghan district headquarters
China's Xinjiang to get $1.5 billion boost
Taliban seek comeback in Pakistan's Swat Valley
Nokia, Microsoft launch new mobile software
|
Intel revamps Atom platform for smartphone push
|
HP refreshes PC lines, adds AMD chips
|
Pakistan receives $468 mln from U.S. security fund
Japan's Shinsei bank posts massive loss: report
NZ central bank governor to give on record speech
PREVIEW-Taiwan April exports seen climbing 49.7 pct y/y
PAKISTAN
Indonesia to hold auction of shipwreck treasures
Nissan recalls 134,000 cars over airbag flaw
Indonesia to soon ratify nuclear test ban treaty
Pakistan makes arrests connected to NYC bomb attempt
Feel the power: NY gyms pedal for electricity
Jordanian woman body-builder takes on world of prejudice
"Real World" contestant sues for $5 million
Trailers a bounty for theaters, concern for studios
Bhutto niece tells a tale through own bloody past
"Dancing" audience boots off Pamela Anderson
ABC expands "Lost" finale by extra half-hour
Iran 'Twitter Revolution' comes to Paris
Gabriel's orchestral show slowly builds momentum
Heart problem, pneumonia killed Corey Haim: coroner
|
Dancing audience boots off Pamela Anderson
|
ABC expands Lost finale by extra half-hour
|
Trailers a bounty for theaters, concern for studios
|
Real World contestant sues for $5 million
|
Gabriel's orchestral show slowly builds momentum
|
Ahmadinejad vows Iran will continue nuclear program
Euro falls under $1.29
Greek anti-austerity march erupts, 3 dead
|
Euro economy to grow, but fears persist over markets
Deadly suicide attack on Afghan city: officials
German court convicts arms dealer of tax evasion
Accused NY bomber from respectable background
|
European stocks extend losses, euro hits 1-year low
NATO says missile defense cost small price to pay
|
"Lost" Finale Episode Gets Super-Sized
Balloon Bomb Hoax Gets Preteen Girls Felony Charges
Summer Movie Preview 2010
Somali Islamists planning wave of bomb attacks: AU
|
Afghanistan Worst Country for Mothers
US-TECH Summary
Funeral Home Caught Stacking Bodies In Garage
Bosnian court acquits Serb jailed over Srebrenica
|
Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher Wins Democratic Primary In Ohio Senate Race
Tennessee Rains Ease Up
Dan Coats Wins GOP Primary In Indiana Senate Race
FDA Reviewing Prostate Cancer Drug For Heart Disease, Diabetes Risks
Militants attack government buildings in Afghan south
|
Report: Canada Needs $11.5 Billion Investment In Clean Energy Initiatives To Catch Up With U.S.
Gaddafi's reformist son urges Libyan constitution
|
Sri Lanka relaxes wartime emergency law
Thai 'Red Shirts' hint at end to protests
Taliban suicide squad targets Afghan govt compound
Thai king leaves hospital for palace visit
Pakistan doubts Taliban Times Square claim
Thais cast politics aside, honor their ailing king
Nepal's Maoists block roads to government offices
Pakistani stocks, o/n rates end up; rupee weakens
Pakistan to impose VAT but faces public backlash
India's top court says truth drug test illegal
Fears over Greek debt crisis hammer markets
2 Indian soldiers killed in Kashmir fighting
Indonesian finance minister resigns
China backs insurer Ping An's acquisition plan
Citibank Taiwan sees strong profit growth; more staff
Sweden's Lake Hornborga, stop for migrating cranes
Minkoff to shoot another Chinese fantasy
Indonesian auction of ancient treasures falls flat
Gyllenhaal goes blockbuster with game adaptation
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights