Lord Buckethead and 'Elmo' Smith: unusual moments from a turbulent UK election

Published June 10, 2017
Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, centre, stands next to candidate 'Lord Buckethead' waits for the declaration at her constituency to be made for the general election in Maidenhead, June 9.─AP
Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, centre, stands next to candidate 'Lord Buckethead' waits for the declaration at her constituency to be made for the general election in Maidenhead, June 9.─AP

British politics is no stranger to eccentric characters and Thursday's election was no exception.

A man known only as Lord Buckethead, dressed in a homemade Darth Vader-style costume capped with a large bucket, ran against Prime Minister Theresa May in her Maidenhead constituency with fellow costume wearers Howling 'Laud' Hope and Bobby 'Elmo' Smith.

British political and fathers' rights activist, Bobby Smith stands alongside a person wearing a costume of children's TV character Elmo, outside a polling station.─AP.
British political and fathers' rights activist, Bobby Smith stands alongside a person wearing a costume of children's TV character Elmo, outside a polling station.─AP.

Buckethead appeared on stage with May as results were announced and he celebrated his 294-vote tally. May was not the only leader to share the stage with the unconventional rival.

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron edged Conservative and Labour opponents as well as one Mr Fishfinger for the north-west English seat of Westmorland and Lonsdale.

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