The British Loony Party (opens in new tab)

(online.wsj.com)

24 pointspw0ncakes16y ago14 comments

14 comments

10 comments · 5 top-level

tezza16y ago· 3 in thread

Australia has its fair share too. I remember the Party Party Party Party...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party!_Party!_Party!

pw0ncakesOP16y ago

In the US, we have the equally loony Republicans, who started off on a reasonable platform but went insane around 1980.

The problem is, they're one of our two major parties.

jacquesm16y ago

For Europeans it is actually quite hard to distinguish the two major US parties based on their policies, they would both be labelled right-of-center in most European countries.

The most visible differences (abortion, stance on war, gay rights) are relatively small, much smaller than the similarities.

To hear 'left wing' and 'right wing' thrown about and the Democrats labeled 'socialist' is really confusing.

1 more reply

anigbrowl16y ago

The trend seems to go the other way in Britain - I notice several former Loony's now represent the Conservative party.

Funnily enough, when Thatcher was Prie Minister, she tried to pass a law banning joke candidacies, but failed. Besides challenges from Screaming Lord Sutch and various campaigners for lighter drinking laws, she also faced challenges from the dread-but-obscure Darth Vader lookalike, Lord Buckethead (Gremloids).

2 more replies

arethuza16y ago· 2 in thread

To add confusion, where I grew up in Scotland "boy" == "loon", "small boy" == loonie", "girls" == "quines" ...

nfnaaron16y ago

- "girls" == "quines" ...

Are they self-reproducing? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quine_%28computing%29

mahmud16y ago

Yes. C.f. Mother-in-law.

jonp16y ago

"Despite its satirical nature, some of the things that have featured in Loony manifestos have become law, such as being able to vote at 18, "passports for pets", and all-day pub openings."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Official_Monster_Raving_Loony_P...

lurkinggrue16y ago

Monty Python Election Night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31FFTx6AKmU

I would vote for Tarquin Fin-tim-lin-bin-whin-bim-lim-bus-stop-F'tang-F'tang-Olé-Biscuitbarrel.

bensummers16y ago

It is a fine British tradition to make serious points by taking absurd positions and making fun of "evil" people.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse