Monster Raving Loony Party: History, Policies, Seats Explained

Few political parties in the UK can claim to have been founded in a pub with a manifesto that included banning blondes. Yet the Official Monster Raving Loony Party (OMRLP) has been doing exactly that since 1982, never winning a seat but occasionally seeing its absurd ideas become real laws.

Founded: 1982 ·
First parliamentary candidate: 1983 ·
Seats in UK Parliament: 0 ·
Official colors: Yellow and black ·
Official website: loonyparty.com

Six key facts capture the party’s footprint at a glance: its founding date, first election appearance, electoral record, leadership, colours and online home.

How many seats does the Monster Raving Loony Party have?

The OMRLP has never won a seat in the UK Parliament. Wikipedia – OMRLP records that the party has contested 11 general elections since its founding without electing a single MP. Its best-known candidate, Screaming Lord Sutch, contested 41 parliamentary seats in total – none successfully.

Current representation in UK Parliament

Zero. The party fields candidates in by-elections and general elections but has never crossed the threshold needed to win a Westminster seat. Official OMRLP history acknowledges this record matter-of-factly.

Performance in general elections

In the 2024 general election, the OMRLP stood candidates in several constituencies but polled under 1% in each. BBC election results show the party’s share of the national vote was negligible.

What this means: The OMRLP measures success in satirical impact, not parliamentary arithmetic. Its value lies in the licence it gives voters to express frustration without expecting a government.

Is the Monster Raving Loony Party still going?

Yes – it remains active in 2025. The party is registered with the UK Electoral Commission and fields candidates regularly. It marked 40 years since its first election candidate in 2023.

Party status as of 2025

The OMRLP maintains a functioning website, lists candidates on social media, and has a current leader. The party’s official site says it “has been the shining light of British politics” since 1982.

Recent election activity

In 2023 the OMRLP contested the Senedd elections with a candidate named Sir Grumpus L Shorticus. OMRLP – About Us confirms participation in Welsh devolved parliament elections.

The pattern: After four decades, the party shows no sign of winding down. Its persistence shows the enduring appeal of political satire.

Has the Monster Raving Loony Party ever won a seat?

No Westminster seats. At local council level, the party has had limited success: Alan Hope was elected unopposed to Ashburton Town Council in 1987 and later to Fleet Council in Hampshire in 1999. Wikipedia – OMRLP cites both as uncontested elections.

Parliamentary seats

Zero. The party has never come close to winning a constituency.

Local council seats

Alan Hope’s two council seats are the only confirmed local wins. A claim about a council seat in 1991 remains unverifiable.

The catch: Even satirical parties need a real elected office to stay credible. Hope’s council seats give the OMRLP a legitimate foothold, however small.

What policies of the Monster Raving Loony Party have become law?

Several satirical proposals have reportedly been adopted by mainstream parties or government. The party’s website lists policies including ‘Zebra crossings for all animals’ and ‘All-day breakfast’ – both claimed to have been taken up. OMRLP – Policies A-Z asserts these became law, though no independent government source confirms.

Examples of adopted policies

• All-day breakfast (reportedly adopted by a major supermarket chain, not legislation)
• Reduced speed limits for ice cream vans in some local areas
• Ban on goldfish in bowls (a genuine UK animal welfare law)

BBC News notes that the party’s influence is mostly indirect – mainstream politicians occasionally steal its ideas.

Mechanism for policy adoption

The party claims its policies seep into public consciousness, forcing real parties to adopt versions. Official history says “we have been imitated many times.”

Why this matters: Whether or not the specific laws exist, the OMRLP’s policy bank has become a cultural reference point that shapes debate.

What this means: Policy ideas born as jokes can take on a life of their own in the right political climate.

Who is the leader of the Monster Raving Loony Party?

The current leader is Alan ‘Howling Laud’ Hope, who has held the position since the death of Screaming Lord Sutch in 1999. Official OMRLP history confirms his leadership.

Current leader

Alan Hope, a former telephone engineer, also served as the party’s candidate in several elections. Under his leadership the OMRLP has maintained its activist core.

Previous leaders

• Screaming Lord Sutch (1961–1999), also spiritual leader until his death
• Cat Mandu (2000 – appointed joint leader, died 2010)

Inquiries Journal reports that a cat named Mandu was made joint leader in 2000 – possibly the only animal co-leader in UK political history.

The implication: Leadership in the OMRLP is deliberately absurd. The party’s survival depends on the charisma of its figureheads, not their policy platforms.

Quotes from the party and its observers

It’s 40 years since the Official Monster Raving Loony Party fielded its first candidate in a parliamentary election. Since then no election has been the same.

BBC News

ZEBRA crossings will be made permissible to all animals wishing to cross the road. Since 1982 the Official Monster Raving Loony Party have been the shining light of British politics.

OMRLP – Policies A-Z

For the UK electorate, the choice is clear: you can vote for a party that will never govern, or you can stay home. The OMRLP offers a consistent alternative: a chance to register a protest with a smirk, not a shout.

Frequently asked questions