The small town of South Thanet in Kent has become the scene of a surprising protest vote in the run up to this year’s general election.
It already faces the turmoil of the UKIP leader Nigel Farage attempting to overthrow conservative candidate Laura Sandys, however another candidate has entered the fray. Al Murray, the pub landlord.
While at first glance it appears to be a comedic stunt, considering his exaggerative satirical policies. Yet Murray represents a far larger movement and it seems his potential rival is UKIP, whose leader was hoping to make an impact in the General Election.
Murray’s motivation is political, as he feels “the system is broken, we all know it is”. Murray is aiming at the people who don’t feel the need to vote, so voting for Murray is to represent the unpopularity for the current political system.
It’s also why his newly formed Free United Kingdom Party can be so outlandish. It’s logo (an upside down Pound Sign), as well as some of the policies such as
immigration, are a clear mocking of UKIP and of the current desires British voters have.
The Pub Landlord has policies on popular subjects such as immigration and Europe, yet they are so sarcastic it’s clear Murray is mocking the attitude of UK voters.
While his potential to be elected is as slim as the Pub Landlord joining Alcoholics Anonymous, it still proves to be an interesting contest.
Murray’s target audience is arguably similar to UKIP’s– voters disillusioned with the current political system, so Murray could have potentially decent popularity in addition to the fact he is a popular comedian.
What would be most intriguing to see is how close Murray can get to beating Nigel Farage. I mean if Nigel Farage can get beaten by a comedian, what hope does he have for being elected in Parliament?
Farage doesn’t seem phased by his latest competitor, even tweeting “The more, the merrier!” From retrospect it seems like a comical clash of two pint pinning politicians. Yet Al Murray’s character is just a façade for a intelligent man who is harnessing the audience politicians neglect– those who don’t vote.
Could Murray begin a new political career? Who else could join FUKP? While Murray may not face success at this general election, his presence and popularity indicate public dissatisfaction.
Why South Thanet?
- Murray competing with Nigel Farage is an attack at UKIP
- The Conservative MP for South Thanet (Laura Sandys) will stand down at the General Election
- Farage is local to South Thanet
- The seat is marginal– the Conservatives didn’t win with a large majority
FUKP policies:
- UK to leave the EU by 2025 and the edge of the solar system by 2050
- Unemployment causes crime, so all the unemployed to be jailed
- Britain must become a worse country so it is less popular for immigration
- The cost of a pint is to be lowered to 1p (although crisps remain the same)
- South Thanet to be made into the Capital of the Uk
- Brick up the Channel Tunnel (using British bricks)
- Alex Salmond made First Minister of Norwich
- Greece to be bought and operated by Kent County Council
- The British Pound would be revalued to £1.10
