I am pleased to announce, after overseas negotiations in January 2013, that we now have a Portugese branch. Partido Moficicial Dos Monstros Treslocados is up and running. The Portugese people are a happy bunch and like to poke fun at politics. They are having a tough time, just like the rest of Europe, so it seems that this is the right approach. Well done you are welcome!

It was a busy February; I landed back from Portugal and straight into the Eastleigh By-election. Earlier in the month I paid my annual visit to The Bath Ball. I can report that we have a candidate in Bath and two in Bristol at the next General Election. Another piece of interesting news, I’ve been told, while visiting ‘Lakeside’, the local entertainment centre,  that UKIP are holding their annual conference there. This is right on my doorstep; I hope it doesn’t clash with our conference in Derbyshire.

We held our conference at the ‘Links’ Hotel, in Fleet, for a couple of years running 2010-2011. They closed down for a major refurb in March, and I am honoured to be guest of honour for the grand opening. When are you coming back cried the locals, we love the fun!

The South Shields By-election was a quick surprise, but once again we were there. Unfortunately for some of us it coincided with the County Council Elections, we weren’t to know that at the time, but all went quite smoothly.

I have noticed that political historians and pundits have always said the ‘Monster Raving Loony Party’ was founded in 1983. This is incorrect; the Loony Party was started on 16^th June 1982. 1983 is the year that the party first stood under this name. Screaming Lord Sutch stood in Finchley against Margaret Thatcher and polled 235 votes on the 9^th June1983. Thirty years fighting elections under this name is something we can all be proud of.

This year our Party Conference is at ‘The Grand Victorian Pavillion’ Matlock Bath, Derbyshire. Thanks to Dale Rowles and friends we have an array of the looniest talent ever assembled under one roof. The event will begin on Thursday 26^th Sept, for the early birds, and will run through the weekend finishing on the 29^th. Keep an eye on this page for further info concerning accomodation and other places of loonyism. I shall be there for the week preceding, sorting out the press. So if you want to make a bit of a longer break, come and join me, you would be more than welcome. I’ll see you there!
Howling Laud