Comedy Terrorist stands for election

Comedy Terrorist Aaron Barschak is to fight the Brent East by-election later this month.

The prankster has today registered himself as an independent on the list of candidates for London Mayor Ken Livingston's old seat

Sixteen candidates will contest the seat on September 18, including the Monster Raving Looney Party, two Socialist candidates and and anti-war independent.

'Rainbow' George Weiss, who as Peter Cook's next-door neighbour recorded hours of tapes of the comedian's manic ramblings, is also standing - on a policy of dismantling the world's financial institutions.

Labour hold a 13,047 majority in the seat, and the ballot, caused by the death of Paul Daisley in June, is the first electoral test of the government's popularity in 18 months.

Barschak said: "I want to give the electorate another option. I can give a proper shock to the system."

And he's even undergone a makeover for his new political role. He told the Daily Telegraph: I have shaved off my beard, and am going to be sporting a couple of lamb chops and a waxed moustache. I'm going to go very Victorian - it's the way all politicians should look."

He shouldn't look too out of place - the MP for neighbouring Brent North is Rhodes Boyson, famed for his spectacular sideburns.

Published: 3 Sep 2003