Ballot Monkeys

Few can probably deny it; this latest UK election, like most elections is farcically chaotic. And whatever happens to the British government in the coming days, I for one felt refreshingly pleased to see that there are some who can still cut through the crap and make us laugh at it all. 

Penned by Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin, Channel 4's incredibly topical, highly up to date and hilariously brash and blunt series takes a look at what life may (and lets face it - what life possibly is) like in the touring campaign buses of several parties in the run up to the 2015 General Election. I for one thought this was a stupendous, if bafflingly outrageous, idea and mostly I feel they hit it off wonderfully. Yes it was political, but more importantly it gave us as an audience, and an electorate, a massive opportunity to just sit back relax and laugh.

So, as they appeared on their buses - lets take a look at the parties:-

THE LIB DEMS

No doubts about it; Ben Miller was the star of the show here. His portrayal of Kevin, a dejected and increasingly neurotic Lib Dem was inspired. His loud and outrageous outbursts were always hilarious, often supported by the bewildered innocence of Esther Smith and the uppity ignorance of Michael Fenton Stevens.

The prolonged moments where Miller swayed into self-reflection and comedic depression got a tad grating, but the idea that the Lib Dem world is quite soap opera-esque is quite something.

LABOUR

Here we have an eclectic bunch of nuvo-niche Labour delegates, ranging from the hilariously backward to the annoyingly American. 

We have Jack who is the embodiment of old fashioned, and thus dissapointed party politics. His one liners come thick and fast and are always a treat to hear. On the opposite end of the scale we have Kathleen Rose Perkins who plays the role of the loud, upbeat, smiling, bright and ultimately annoying American political strategist. She plays her role well, but out of all the Labour team she is the one I could do without the most. They are knitted together by two slightly non-starting but still important characters in Theo Barklem-Briggs and Daisy Haggard.

UKIP

Here I think the producers missed a trick. Yes Sarah Hadland (of Miranda fame) is recognizable as a stuffy, deluded UKIP supporter, but in terms of her image it is a bit of a misfire. I feel Hadland excels as more of a lucid, bubbly cheeky blonde type character. I can see why they have made her into a bright suit wearing, UKIP twit, but it just doesn't quite sit right with me.

On the other hand, communications manager for UKIP Andy Nyman has a great dry sense of humour that is very good to watch. 

THE TORIES

Again we have a stand out star here - Hugh Dennis. I have both watched this man on TV and live (twice) over the years and I have long been a fan of his, and Ballot Monkeys does not dissuade me. Jimmy Akingbola is good (if a little too self obsessed) Hattie Morahan is sassy and appealing, and Liz Kingsman is delightfully dozy, but Hugh Dennis is undoubtedly the brilliantly timed and always hilarious king of the Tory bus.