Election watchers around the world puzzled by peculiar tradition in UK politics of quirky candidates

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Some of the more unorthodox candidates in the British general election have captured the attention of election-watchers around the world.

Among those to have raised the most eyebrows is Lord Buckethead, who appeared alongside Theresa May on the podium as results were read out for the Maidenhead constituency.

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Buckethead, a self-described “intergalactic space lord” whose real name is unknown, won 249 votes in the Berkshire contest. It is not the first time Buckethead has stood against a prime minister – a candidate with the same name took on Margaret Thatcher in 1987 and lost with just 131 votes. He also stood against John Major in 1992.

This time around, Buckethead campaigned on a platform of strong but “not entirely stable leadership”. His manifesto, he declared after the results had been confirmed, delivered him a “new Buckethead record”.

Lord Buckethead (@LordBuckethead) 249! A new Buckethead record! Something to celebrate, eh? #GeneralElection17 pic.twitter.com/cCx7Utc8EL

Buckethead’s reappearance on the political scene did not go unnoticed.

While most British people are used to a varied range of candidates, mostly due to the advent of the oddball Monster Raving Loony party, election watchers from further afield were fascinated.

Nathan McDermott (@natemcdermott) Prime Minister Theresa May speaks while her electoral rival Lord Buckethead looks on. Truly, democracy is a beautiful thing. pic.twitter.com/6lQqeD5xb0

Scott Bixby (@scottbix) Oh my god Lord Buckethead’s political manifesto I’m screaming pic.twitter.com/e31ytIBk91

David Simon (@AoDespair) I am delighted to know that in a mythical place called Maidenhead, a British Prime Minister shares a stage with a certain Lord Buckethead.

Underlining the British penchant for unorthodox candidates, Buckethead was joined in the Maidenhead vote by Elmo, who got three votes, and Howling “Laud” Hope of the Monster Raving Loony Party (119 votes).

Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) Only 3 votes for Elmo in Maidenhead as he couldn't deal with the electoral juggernaut of Lord Buckethead

Sheetal Parmar (@SheetalParmar) Only in Britain...our current Prime Minister, Lord Buckethead and Elmo standing for parliament #GE2017 pic.twitter.com/uLAF0joog1

Away from Maidenhead, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron, had to contend with a slippery rival in Cumbria’s Westmorland and Lonsdale.

Farron held on to his seat with a reduced majority of 777. Adding insult to injury, he was upstaged during his victory speech by Mr Fishfinger, a man dressed as a piece of frozen food.

Fishfinger, who changed his name by deed poll to take part in the election, decided to run after an informal Twitter poll found users would rather be led by a fish finger than Farron. He got 309 votes.