UK Politics

It is a well-worn tradition of UK elections that joke candidates stand against party leaders.

In an arena where so much time is spent on optics, the visual of a struggling prime minister pondering their future between Lord Buckethead and Elmo is enough to drive any political professional up the wall - but also reminds the viewer that politicians are people too.

There are several familiar faces every time the country goes to the polls - and 2024 is no different.

Rishi Sunak, win or lose, will be sharing a stage with Count Binface when the results in Richmond and Northallerton are read out - likely in the early hours of 5 July.

Meanwhile, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer will be alongside Elmo in Holborn and St Pancras.

Both of these satirical candidates - Elmo and Binface - stood against Boris Johnson in 2019 and Theresa May in 2017.

But the tradition of joke candidates stretches back even further.

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As well as the individual parody candidates, there are some parody parties.

The largest example is the Monster Raving Loony Party - famous for its big hats, garish outfits and unique candidate names.

It is putting up Sir Archibald Stanton against Mr Sunak in Richmond and Northallerton, and Nick the incredible Flying Brick against Sir Keir in Holborn and St Pancras.