Beard Liberation Front

Media Release

9th December

Contact Keith Flett 07803 167266

Corbyn beard & eyebrow combo at Prime Minister’s Question leads to record Parliamentary Beard Award success

The Beard Liberation Front the informal network of beard wearers has said that Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has won the vote for Parliamentary Beard of the Year, a record 7th victory since the annual contest started in 2001.

Mirroring his recent re-election as Labour leader the Islington North MP took over half the poll.

The campaigners say that a significant factor in his success this year may be the combination of beard and raised eyebrow that he uses to signify visual concern at answers Theresa May gives at Prime Minister’s Questions.

The Runner up was Chris Elmore a newcomer to the Parliamentary Beard of the Year being elected for Ogmore in May 2016. Mr Elmore surged to an early lead but was unable to sustain his advantage after Jeremy Corbyn supporters made their impact.

Third was veteran Labour Peer Lord Toby Harris, the highest position ever achieved in the poll by a member of the Upper House

Jeremy Corbyn 63.78%

Chris Elmore 20.22%

Lord Toby Harris 6.4%

In 2015 Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn just shaved SNP MP Steward McDonald for the coveted title but Mr McDonald declined to compete this year after trimming his beard.

The campaigners say that the award is specifically not about who has the best or most magnificent beard in Parliament. Rather it focuses on the MP or Peer who has made the most positive hirsute impact during the year.

BLF Organiser Keith Flett said, while we may not be at peak Corbyn beard these days the gravitas he has developed in deploying the beard in the Commons is considerable

Shortlist

Chris Elmore (Labour)

Paul Flynn (Labour)

Jeremy Corbyn (Labour)

Kelvin Hopkins (Labour)

Lord Hylton (Crossbencher)

Lord Toby Harris (Labour)

Michael Gove (Tory)

Stephen Crabb (Tory)

Rob Wilson (Tory)

John Spellar (Labour)

Recent winners

2011 Jeremy Corbyn

2012 Jeremy Corbyn/John Randall

2013 Julian Huppert

2014 Jeremy Corbyn

2015 Jeremy Corbyn