Lord Toby Jug facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lord Toby Jug
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Lord Toby Jug at the official opening of the Ramsey Branch of the Eccentric Party in August 2016
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Brian Borthwick
18 December 1965 West Ham, London, England |
| Died | 2 May 2019 (aged 53) |
| Political party | Official Monster Raving Loony Party (until 2014) The Eccentric Party of Great Britain (2015–19) |
Lord Toby Jug (born Brian Borthwick, 18 December 1965 – 2 May 2019) was a British politician. He was famous for his unusual and funny way of getting involved in politics. He led the Official Monster Raving Loony Party in Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire. He also worked as the party's media officer and tried to become a member of Parliament. He was asked to leave the Loony Party in 2014. After that, he started his own group called The Eccentric Party of Great Britain in 2015.
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Lord Toby Jug: A Unique Politician
Joining the Loony Party
Lord Toby Jug joined the Monster Raving Loony Party in 1987. He called himself their Shadow Minister for Mental Health. A shadow minister is a politician who watches over a government department.
In 2009, Jug suggested replacing a statue of Oliver Cromwell with one of Screaming Lord Sutch. Sutch was the founder of the Loony Party. In 2012, Jug helped unveil a special Blue plaque at London's Ace Cafe. This plaque remembered Sutch, who had lived nearby. The plaque was paid for by a company called William Hill. This company used to support the Loony Party. In 2013, Jug held a gathering at Sutch's grave to celebrate his life.
During an election in 2013, Jug wrote to newspapers. He said the Loony Party did not like being called "fruitcakes" or "loonies." These words were being used for other politicians. He also said that the UK Independence Party was just trying to get popular.
Leaving the Loony Party
Lord Toby Jug was asked to leave the Monster Raving Loony Party in 2014. This happened because of things he said about Nigel Farage, a political leader. He also criticized a pub company. The Loony Party was trying to get this company to be a sponsor.
The leader of the Loony Party, Howling Laud Hope, said it was not the first time they had asked Jug to leave. Hope said the party did not want to upset people. When Jug left, he said he was worried about some comments Hope had made in the past.
Starting a New Party
In January 2015, Jug started "The Eccentric Party of Great Britain." He founded it in St Ives. He had tried to register over 30 other names. However, the Electoral Commission turned them down. They said names like "Real Loony Party" were too much like other parties.
Running in Elections
Lord Toby Jug ran in two general elections. A general election is when people vote for who will represent them in Parliament. He ran against Tony Banks in 1992 and 1997.
In the 2005 general election, Jug ran against Michael Howard. Howard was the leader of the Conservative Party at the time. Jug got 175 votes in that election.
In 2009, Jug ran for the Cambridgeshire County Council election. He got 566 votes in St Ives. This was more votes than the Labour Party candidate. He also raised £275 for a charity called the Teenage Cancer Trust.
In the 2010 general election, he ran in Huntingdon. He received 548 votes. In 2012, Jug ran in local council elections. He also planned to run for Police and Crime Commissioner. Later that year, he ran in a town council by-election. A by-election is a special election held to fill a vacant seat. He got slightly more votes than the Liberal Democrat candidate.
In 2013, Jug was campaigning for the 2013 Cambridgeshire County Council election. He was with another Loony Party member. He accidentally dropped his leaflets into the River Ouse. He later received 197 votes in that election.
In 2015, Jug said he would run for Parliament in Huntingdon. He would represent The Eccentric Party of Great Britain. He joked that he should be in the televised debates with other party leaders. He said his party was small, but so were the Liberal Democrats.
A month before the election, Jug planned to run in two areas. He wanted to run in Huntingdon and Uxbridge and South Ruislip. This was because his party's candidate for Uxbridge got sick. However, he was told he could not run in two areas at once. So, Jug decided not to run in Huntingdon. He ran against Boris Johnson and Howling Laud Hope in Uxbridge. He received 50 votes.
His Life and Nickname
Lord Toby Jug's real name was Brian Borthwick. He used to play guitar in a band with Screaming Lord Sutch. Sutch was the founder of the Loony Party. Sutch gave him the nickname "Toby Jug" because of his round shape. Brian later officially changed his name to Lord Toby Jug.
He called himself a "professional jester." He saw his Loony Party persona, where he wore a Union Jack outfit, as a different side of himself. He often wore a top hat that used to belong to Lord Sutch.
In 2019, Jug took part in a film called A Different Drummer: Celebrating Eccentrics.
Lord Toby Jug passed away on 2 May 2019. He was 53 years old.
