Al Murray's Pub Landlord To Stand Against Nigel Farage

He's a proud Englishman who thinks we should withdraw from the EU and loves a pint. And the other is Nigel Farage.

Al Murray has confirmed that his character The Pub Landlord will be standing against the UKIP leader in the next general election, contesting the Kent constituency seat of South Thanet. He has founded the Free United Kingdom Party (FUKP) as the vehicle for his political career.

His manifesto video is available to watch below and features his pledges on the pound ("the pound will be revalued at one pound 10p, so it will now be worth ten p more. Common sense"), Scotland ("Alex Salmond to be made First Minister for Norwich, so he can get to understand what being ignored by the rest of the country is really like. Common sense") and immigration ("we brick up the Channel Tunnel. With British bricks. Probably have to get some Poles in to do it. Common sense") amongst others.

Farage has welcomed the challenge, tweeting "the more, the merrier!", while a UKIP spokesman said "at last, serious competition in the constituency". As of the current time, the Electoral Commission has said that Murray hasn't yet registered his FUKP party with them, but this is expected soon.

The move comes days after Happy Mondays dancer Bez launched his political campaign, standing for MP in the city of Salford. He is standing on an environmentalist theme, with one of his slogans being "shake your maracas if you are against the frackers”. However, his campaign has run into early difficulties, with his 'Reality Party' not being allowed due to its name being too similar to a previous 'Realist Party'. He forgot to register a new name with the Electoral Commission in time, so faces an anxious wait to see if they will allow him to run.

So, apropos of nothing, here's our gallery of the greatest Muppet Politican Lookalikes.

(Images: Rex)