The satirical group known for its nonsensical policies proved more popular than the Brexiteers in the crucial vote which saw the Lib Dems take the seat from the Tories.

The Loonies’ candidate, Lady Lily the Pink, finished fifth with 334 votes, ahead of Ukip hopeful Liz Phillips on just 242 votes.

Arriving at the count with Loonies’ leader Alan “Howling Laud” Hope, Lady Lily the Pink was cheered by supporters in fancy dress.

“I’m not a politician – I’m a loony,” the candidate, a B&B owner, said after the result. “Hopefully I’ve engaged a few people who wouldn’t have normally voted to come out and vote in this election.”

Brexit culture: film posters reimagined Show all 5 1 /5 Brexit culture: film posters reimagined Brexit culture: film posters reimagined The Hunchback of Notre Dame with a Brexit spin Jeff Moore / Rooftop Film Club Brexit culture: film posters reimagined Les Miserables reimagined Jeff Moore / Rooftop Film Club Brexit culture: film posters reimagined A Room with a View of Britain's future Jeff Moore / Rooftop Film Club Brexit culture: film posters reimagined Roman Holiday relocated Jeff Moore / Rooftop Film Club Brexit culture: film posters reimagined The Sound of Music reimagined Jeff Moore / Rooftop Film Club

The Official Monster Raving Loony Party’s Brexit policies include sending Noel Edmonds to negotiate Brexit “because he understands Deal Or No Deal”.

Rather than a hard or soft Brexit, the Loonies claim to prefer an “Al dente Brexit”. And they would make Germany “pay for all treatment of German measles”.

In 1990 the Loonies’ founder David “Screaming Lord” Sutch beat the SDP candidate at a by-election in Bootle, and the centre-left breakaway party dissolved soon afterwards.