loony party
the official monster raving loony party
(& the story of Two Very Funny General Elections)

At the British GENERAL ELECTIONS of 1992 and 1997, I stood as a candidate for THE OFFICIAL MONSTER RAVING LOONY PARTY. Quite why I sometimes wonder, but then as the World continues turning itself politically and economically tits-up, I get the strongest urge to do it all again ... either that, or I was totally mad on the idea fololowing an occasion in the 1991 when non other than The Screaming Lord slept on my settee after a local rock'n'roll gig and convinced me I would make an ideal loony candidate!

UK GENERAL ELECTION 1992
In '92 I stood in the Labour stronghold of Hyde & Stalybridge near Manchester, against MP TOM PENDRY. Tom was the Labour Shadow Minsiter For Sport and was highly tipped to become Cabinet Minister should Labour get elected. Also in the running in '92 alongside the token Lib Dem and Tory whipping fodder was a candidate of the NATURAL LAW PARTY who practiced yoga claiming that it would help you fly (& other such nonsense!). Despite this madman splitting the Loony vote, I whacked him by an ice cream (99 votes) amassing 350 + votes, and subsequently did not finish last!

BIDDING FOR THE OLYMPICS
The main focus of my campaign that year was to launch 'THE STALYBRIDGE, HYDE, DUKINFIELD and GEE CROSS OLYMPIC BID'. It's raison d'etre was two fold:
1) To oppose the neighbouring Manchester Olympic Bid that was gaining momentum at that time
2) To highlight the need for employment and give a focus to the suburbs of Manchester

I often tell the story of how the bid, despite boasting such great sports as 100m Space Hopper Sprint and Putt The Space Hopper, was equally as successful as the Manchester bid but in comparison, didn't waste a single penny of public funds.

UK GENERAL ELECTION 1997
In '97 I stood in the Labour stronghold of ASHTON UNDER LYNE against MP ROBERT SHELDON, only this time changing my name by deedpoll and appearance complete to become cartoonesque character 'CYMBAL, THE CANDIDATE FORMERLY KNOWN AS PRINCE'. On this occasion I amassed almost 450 votes, and became 5th most popular Official Loony in the UK!!

THE STAMFORD PARK BOATING POND MONSTER
The main focus of my campaign in '97 was 'THE SEARCH FOR ASHTON NESSIE, THE STAMFORD PARK BOATING POND MONSTER'. Despite numerous sightings(?!!!) no actual scientific proof of the monster's existence exists, although tourism in the area has risen by er, .... erm ...one or two (we think)...

please visit
THE OFFICIAL LOONY PARTY WEB-SITE
REST IN PEACE DAVID SUTCH

A VERY DEAR & GENTLE MAN - A LIGHT IN THE DARK FOR SO MANY

There are of course many more stories to tell of loony antics, and these can be found in Stories