“You know we make you want to Spit”
(I thought I would give a little more of a media based update on how Spitting Image has been satirising some of Britain’s most famous politicians since its revival in this ATL in 2004.)
Labour Party
Gordon Brown: Extremly Scottish, portrayed with an eye that would roll around as if in water.
Andy Burnham: Impatient, akways asking “Is it time for the Election yet?. Once Prime Minister he still remained impatient but also became obsessed with cats after a tabloid article likened him to a cat.
Ed Balls: Portrayed as Gordon Browns body double, given their similar politics.
Tony Blair: Cocky and Nostalgic, treated Sedgefield as it’s own country, running gag of Sedgefield declaring independence every episode he featured in which led to an actual minor tongue in cheek secessionist movement.
Tony Benn: Anti-War to the extreme. Told kids off for fighting in the sandpit. For the Conservatives year of government the “News at Benn” was broadcast where Benn would blame every minor issue on the Tories government.
Miliband Brothers: Portrayed as an unpopular stand up comedy double act.
Charles Kennedy: Frequently seen campaigning for “Ginger Rights”, as Foreign Secretary he would accidentally introduce himself as everything but the Foreign Secretary.
Conservative Party
William Hague: Portrayed as a grumpy teenager in reference to his speech at the Tory party conference at 16. As Prime Minister a two headed beast, one head anti Europe and one head pro Europe.
George Osborne: Overally posh Eton college boy. Had a “crisis? What crisis?” attitude to any news involving the poor.
Michael Howard: A senile vampire who still thought he was Home Secretary or Leader of the Opposition.
David Cameron: Osborne’s second in command, similar attitudes to the poor as Osborne.
Boris Johnson: Moaned about Brexit in every episode, seen dressed in very stereotypical European clothing, different every episode.
Margaret Thatcher: Still appeared every so often giving advice to Hague from a small window in his Downing Street bedroom.
David Davis: Angry about almost everything, secretly had talks with Ed Davey.
Democratic/Liberal Party
Ed Davey: Screamed “Nanny State!” at everything to do with authority, including his own Nannny.
Rob Wheway: It was claimed by him that all of the Liberal MPs had gotten lost inside his beard and that was the cause for the -79 Seats. As deputy pm he was frequently ignored by Hague unless he said the “C word” (Cornwall).
David Laws: Eager to be leader, “Me next me next.” Behaved like a spoilt toddler.
Nick Clegg: For reasons unknown, Portrayed as a freestyle rapper with Paddy Ashdown beatboxing for him.
Kenneth Clarke: Always drunk, never quite sure where he is or what party he was in.
Social Democratic Party
Duncan Hames: Excitable, often seen going for a jog due to his enjoyment of this activity, interviewers would have to jog alongside him.
David Owen: Desperate for power. Overly resilient and confident in himself.
Vince Cable: Seen as senile. Broke into Downing Street claiming to be PM of an SDP majority Government.
John Bates: Pushed aside by the new defectors to the party. Desperate for attention. “Still here!” was his catchphrase.