Bishop's Eccentric Electoral History
The political career of Bishop was defined not by traditional policy or party loyalty, but by a commitment to the surreal. Over several decades, Bishop contested numerous general elections and by-elections across the United Kingdom, often running under the banner of Elvis-themed parties. His campaigns were characterized by provocative costumes, satirical manifestos, and a penchant for the absurd.
Key Facts
- Primary Affiliations: Ran under various labels including the Church of the Militant Elvis, Bus-Pass Elvis Party, and Elvis Loves Pets.
- Highest Local Success: Achieved 2.3% of the vote in the 2014 Clifton North ward by-election, finishing ahead of the Liberal Democrats.
- Campaign Style: Known for wearing a red cat suit and proposing surreal policies.
- Political Range: Contested elections from the 1997 general election until 2022.
Early Campaigns and the Elvis Influence
Bishop's entry into electoral politics began in the 1997 general election in Tatton, where he ran against Neil Hamilton as "Lord Byro versus the Scallywag Tories," securing 116 votes (0.2%). This set the stage for a long history of fringe candidacy.
By 2001, Bishop had adopted the persona of the Church of the Militant Elvis, contesting the Brentwood seat and finishing last with 52 votes. In 2005, he ran in Erewash against Robert Kilroy-Silk. This campaign was particularly notable for its eccentric pledges, which included shouting at icebergs in Antarctica to stop them from melting, preserving the red squirrel, and presenting Tony Blair with an Oscar for his performance as a sincere politician. Bishop famously campaigned in a red cat suit during this period.
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Satirical Platforms and Political Commentary
Bishop often used his candidacy to critique the state of the world through a lens of absurdity. In the 2008 Haltemprice and Howden by-election, he ran on a platform to overthrow the capitalist state, claiming it had turned Elvis into a "fat media joke." His platform included the claim that George W. Bush was the anti-Christ and proposed placing CCTV in the bedroom of Nick Clegg.
His 2010 pledges for Kettering continued this trend of the surreal, proposing the introduction of moats around houses, the appointment of Bono as Pope, and the conversion of public schools into pound shops, while also advocating for the maintenance of public lavatories and the return of dog licences.
Later Years and Local Government Runs
In the 2010s, Bishop shifted toward more frequent by-election appearances under the Bus-Pass Elvis Party and Elvis Loves Pets labels. He contested seats in Oldham East and Saddleworth (2011), Corby (2012), and Eastleigh (2013).
His most significant electoral result occurred on March 6, 2014, in the Clifton North ward of Nottingham City Council. Running as the Bus-Pass Elvis Party, he won 2.3% of the vote, placing fourth and beating the Liberal Democrats.
Despite announcing his retirement from elections in January 2017, Bishop continued to run in several contests. In May 2017, representing the "Elvis & The Yeti Himalayan Preservation" Party in the Sherwood ward, he urged Donald Trump and Theresa May to avoid military strikes on North Korea to protect Tibet. In the 2017 general election for Nottingham East, he proposed that if cannabis were legalized, it should be nationalized as "BRITISH GRASS."
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His final electoral appearances included a 2018 run in Clifton North and a 2019 general election run in Broxtowe, where he received 172 votes. His last recorded campaign was the March 2022 Birmingham Erdington by-election, where he received 8 votes.
Summary of Electoral Performance
| Year | Election/Constituency | Party Affiliation | Result/Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Tatton General | Independent (Lord Byro) | 116 (0.2%) |
| 2001 | Brentwood General | Church of the Militant Elvis | 52 (Last) |
| 2008 | Haltemprice and Howden By-election | Independent | 44 (0.2%) |
| 2014 | Clifton North (Nottingham) | Bus-Pass Elvis Party | 2.3% (4th Place) |
| 2019 | Broxtowe General | Independent/Elvis-themed | 172 (Last) |
| 2022 | Birmingham Erdington By-election | Independent/Elvis-themed | 8 (Last) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the most successful election Bishop contested?
His most successful run was the 2014 by-election for the Clifton North ward of Nottingham City Council, where he secured 2.3% of the vote and finished fourth, ahead of the Liberal Democrats.
What were some of Bishop's most unusual campaign promises?
His promises included shouting at icebergs to stop them from melting, introducing moats around houses, nationalizing cannabis as "BRITISH GRASS," and appointing Bono as Pope.
Which parties did Bishop represent?
He ran under several names, including the Church of the Militant Elvis, the Bus-Pass Elvis Party, Elvis Loves Pets, and the Elvis & The Yeti Himalayan Preservation Party.
When did Bishop's electoral career end?
His final campaign took place in March 2022 during the Birmingham Erdington by-election. He passed away in December 2022 at the age of 78 following a brain tumour diagnosis.