Rock 'n' Roll Loony Party

The Rock 'n' Roll Loony Party was a minor political party in the United Kingdom.

Rock 'n' Roll Loony Party
LeaderChris "Screwy" Driver
Founded2000; 24 years ago (2000)
Split fromOfficial Monster Raving Loony Party
HeadquartersCannock
IdeologySatire

Founded in 2000, the group split from the Official Monster Raving Loony Party after the death of Screaming Lord Sutch.[1] Stephen Ingle claims that it was formed by Librarians.[2] It was initially based in Cannock, at the Laughing Leopards pub, which was run by its joint deputy leader, while its leader was Chris "Screwy" Driver.[1]

Driver was elected to Queenborough Town Council, on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, in 2000 as a Monster Raving Loony candidate, and then in his new party colours was voted in as Mayor of Queenborough in 2002.[3] In elections to Swale Borough Council in 2003, one of the Rock 'n' Roll Loony Party candidates polled more than a member of the Liberal Democrats.[4]

At the 2005 General Election the party fielded one candidate, in Sittingbourne and Sheppey, who managed to poll more votes than the Veritas candidate. It was deregistered in August 2007.[5]

The party's main policies included free beer and sex for pensioners, and the construction of laughter clinics.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Sutch high hopes in craziest town", Birmingham Post, 1 April 2000
  2. ^ Stephen Ingle, The British Party System: An Introduction
  3. ^ "Loony elected as town's new Mayor". Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  4. ^ Matthew Stadlen and Harry Glass, The Politics Companion, p.100
  5. ^ "List of Political Parties either renamed or deregistered since 2002" (PDF). Electoral Commission. 16 December 2009. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  6. ^ "Family brewers launch rival election manifesto", The Publican, 24 May 2001