I nearly left it late to stand for the OMRLP in Islwyn, South Wales with about a week to go before the deadline. I was a little dismayed to lose my BUM in the process. I registered as Baron von Magpie BUM, but the returning officer felt my BUM may cause offence to some of Islwyn’s more sensitive voters. So I became Baron von Magpie on the ballot paper.
To my total surprise, friends and neighbours raised the £500 deposit in just over a week, with a few pounds left over to get some posters and leaflets printed up by a local printer and with the help of the most excellent Baron von Claptrap, standing in the Gower.
There followed many miles of putting up flyers and chatting to the locals, who by-and-large were very supportive. Best not to mention the 4-car pile up I caused when a driver was so busy watching me putting up posters they didn’t notice the other 3 cars stopped at lights in front of them. Only one broken wrist. Oops!
On Election Day it was great to be able to vote for myself. Later that night I attended the count, accompanied by the Baroness who decided to dress for the occasion in a full sized chicken suit. As we walked into the count the looks were a mixture of puzzlement and disbelief followed by the look of realisation that the Loonies had arrived. I was extremely pleased to get 213 votes. Chris Evans, of Labour won the seat – but I loved the headline ‘Evans wins again’ as my real surname is also Evans! Can’t wait for the Welsh Assembly elections next year so watch out , Baron von Magpie BUM WILL ride again!