Why candidates dress up and run in major UK elections

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Why candidates dress up and run in major UK elections50 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleOlivia IrelandEPACostumed candidates at UK elections are a longstanding traditionAndy Burnham - a man who hopes to be the next prime minister - stood shoulder-to-shoulder with a man in a fox costume and an "intergalactic space warrior" with a bin for a face when he was announced as the winner of the Makerfield by-election. These costumed characters barely registered as unusual for members of the public and supporters, as Count Binface, the fox and another, Howling Laud Hope, all shook hands with Labour's Burnham before he gave his victory speech. Eccentric scenes like this are a common sight over the years in British politics, and candidates are often motivated to run for a variety of different reasons, but their satirical stances often give more serious messages a moment of attention - and can even influence future laws.

Henry Zeffman: What does Keir Starmer do next after Andy Burnham's Makerfield win? The key figures in Andy Burnham's inner circleRob Pownall spends most of his time running his advocacy organisation Protect the Wild, which advocates for British wildlife, but in recent weeks he ran for the Makerfield seat dressed as a fox. "I think it was a brilliant display of British democracy in action," Pownall told the , as he sees people running in costumes as a a part of Britain's "unique eccentric energy".

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It was not Pownall's first time running as a candidate, in May he dressed as a giant gannet while running as a candidate for Scottish Parliament to call for the end of the Guga hunt, which is a centuries old tradition to hunt the bird. Getty ImagesPownall (right) used his platform during the byelection to advocate for animal rights His motivation was to "shine a light on issues that don't get the headlines" and as he shook Burnham's hand, Pownall took the opportunity to speak about his advocacy to better protect British wildlife. "I urged him if he is to become prime minister to actually do something to protect animals, whether to finally end fox hunting for good or committing to a complete end to the Badger cull.

"EPAMonster Raving Loony Party candidate Howling Laud Hope (c) with supporters at the Makerfield by-election on ThursdayAnother character that has regularly appeared up against well-known politicians including former prime ministers Rishi Sunak, Boris Johnson, Theresa May and London Mayor Sadiq Khan, is Count Binface. He has become an expected part of elections, with a manifesto for Makerfield published on his website including policies to be "the UK's entrant at Eurovision 2027" and "wifi on trains that works. Also trains that work".

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.