Ballot Monkeys

2015 British comedy television series

Ballot Monkeys

Created by|

* Andy Hamilton
* Guy Jenkin

Written by|

* Andy Hamilton
* Guy Jenkin

Starring|

* Ben Miller
* Hugh Dennis

Opening theme| "Hit the Road Jack"
Composer| Philip Pope
Country of origin| United Kingdom
Original language| English
No. of series| 1
No. of episodes| 5[1]
Production
Executive producer| Jimmy Mulville
Running time| 25 minutes
Production company| Hat Trick Productions
Original release
Network| Channel 4
Release| 21 April (2015-04-21) –
6 May 2015 (2015-05-06)

Ballot Monkeys is a 2015 British comedy series which appeared on Channel 4 in the run up to the 2015 general election. The five-part series was set on campaign buses belonging to the Conservative Party, Labour Party, Liberal Democrats and UK Independence Party featuring groups of mid-level party campaign organisers as each embarks on their respective election campaign.

The series was written by Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin. Episodes were written and produced within hours of transmission, allowing the characters to react to recent real-world events.[2]

## Overview

[edit]

The series cuts between the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and UKIP buses. Apart from a brief phone call at the end of the last episode, these groups do not interact with each other. All scenes are shot inside or in the immediate vicinity of the campaign buses, and much of the humour comes from the candidates talking candidly in private about their party and campaign in ways that they would not do in public. In each party there are interpersonal conflicts between individuals.

### Conservatives

[edit]

In the Conservative group nominal leader Martin (Hugh Dennis), a frustrated one-nation conservative, clashes with the well-connected Baz (Jimmy Akingbola), who openly supports what he considers to be Boris Johnson's inevitable rise to power and is far more willing to engage in more cynical campaign ploys. Women's issues consultant Siobhan (Hattie Morahan) feels marginalised by both men. The group is completed by dim-witted and politically uninformed intern Ruby (Liz Kingsman), who the group is forced to employ as she is the daughter of a major party donor.

### Labour

[edit]

In the Labour group Jack (Trevor Cooper), a long time party supporter, is confused and dismayed by how the party, politics and campaigning has changed. Social media organiser Conor (Theo Barklem-Biggs) continually suggests unhelpful online strategies, mostly to the chagrin of co-ordinator Christine (Daisy Haggard). The advice of American political strategy consultant Melanie (Kathleen Rose Perkins), who frequently attempts to secure a future job in the 2016 presidential election campaign, grates with her English colleagues.

### Liberal Democrats

[edit]

Liberal Democrat Kevin (Ben Miller), dismayed at the poor electoral prospects of his party, the last five years of coalition government, and a recent divorce, suffers a nervous breakdown, showing increasingly erratic behaviour as the series progresses. Assistant Charlotte (Esther Smith), tries to help, but party grandee Simon (Michael Fenton Stevens) repeatedly refuses to acknowledge that a problem exists.

### UKIP

[edit]

In the UKIP bus, communications manager Gerry (Andy Nyman), a UKIP supporter on purely Eurosceptic grounds, struggles to prevent political damage arising from offensive comments and behaviour of other UKIP members. This includes those of openly bigoted logistics manager Kate (Sarah Hadland). The bus is driven by Obi (Rhashan Stone), a friendly and resourceful Somalian immigrant. Gerry and Obi strike up a friendship, bonding over a mutual love of Star Wars, while Kate views him with suspicion due to his race. Gerry is forced to fire Obi after he learns he is an illegal immigrant, and his replacement Mick (Steven O'Donnell) is far more aligned with Kate's bigoted worldview.

## Power Monkeys

[edit]

Main article: Power Monkeys

A sequel series, Power Monkeys began airing on 8 June 2016. While retaining the same up-to-the-minute production style, the new series focuses more broadly on current events, such as the EU referendum or the American election.[3]

## See also

[edit]

* Coalition
* UKIP: The First 100 Days

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Ballot Monkeys episode guide". Channel 4. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
2. ^ "Ben Miller to star in election comedy". BBC News. BBC. 8 April 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
3. ^ "Power Monkeys is written on the day of broadcast to ensure maximum topicality". The Independent. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2016.

## External links

[edit]

* Ballot Monkeys – official website
* Ballot Monkeys at IMDb
* Power Monkeys – official website

* v
* t
* e

2015 United Kingdom general election

* Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011

* ← 2010 election
* Constituencies
* Debates
* Endorsements
* MPs
* elected
* seniority
* lost their seat
* stood down
* Opinion polling
* Parties
* Results breakdown
* by constituency
* Seat gains and losses
* Target seats
* 2017 election →

* Incumbent prime minister: David Cameron (Conservative)
* Appointed prime minister: David Cameron (Conservative)

Incumbent deputy prime minister: Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats)
* Appointed deputy prime minister: None

Parties elected to
the House of Commons|

* Conservative (David Cameron)
* Labour (Ed Miliband)
* Scottish National Party (Nicola Sturgeon)
* Liberal Democrats (Nick Clegg)
* Democratic Unionist Party (Peter Robinson)
* Sinn Féin (Gerry Adams)
* Plaid Cymru (Leanne Wood)
* Social Democratic and Labour Party (Alasdair McDonnell)
* Ulster Unionist Party (Mike Nesbitt)
* UK Independence Party (Nigel Farage)
* Green Party of England and Wales (Natalie Bennett)

Parties only represented in Scotland,
Wales, Northern Ireland, London,
or the European Parliament|

* Green Party Northern Ireland (Steven Agnew)
* Scottish Greens (Patrick Harvie/Maggie Chapman)
* Traditional Unionist Voice (Jim Allister)
* Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (David Ford)

Other|

* Full list of parties standing candidates

Results by area|

* England (list)
* Northern Ireland (list)
* Scotland (list)
* Wales (list)

See also|

* EdStone
* Milifandom
* Party spending investigation
* Woman to Woman campaign
* Ballot Monkeys
* Meet the Ukippers
* UKIP: The First 100 Days
* The Vote
* Newzoids

* 2015 United Kingdom local elections
* 2016 EU membership referendum

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