Top 5: Big names who lost in Kent on their way to success

Margaret Thatcher.

Monday, February 2, 2015
5:51 PM

When comedian Al Murray announced he was to stand for the South Thanet seat at the next general election, it sparked a debate about the type of candidates who stand for election.

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

After all, there are surely too many comedians in politics already?

Murray’s comic alter-ego, the Pub Landlord, wants to create a no-man’s land between north and south Thanet, drop the pint of beer to a penny and more besides.

Drawn to the constituency due to Nigel Farage declaring for Ukip, the lure of publicity rather than politics is likely to be his motivation.

But for many others, Kent has been the opportunity to stretch their political wings and prepare for life in the public eye...

So we compiled a list of five candidates who all stood in Kent - and lost - before going on to bigger - and some would argue better - things.

1. Margaret Thatcher

She had a political journey which saw her rise through the ranks in a predominately male arena and became the country’s first Prime Minister. But Dartford is the spot where Margaret Thatcher cut her political teeth. The young grocer’s daughter lost the general election in the safe Labour seat in both 1950 and 1951.

She also faced rejection after putting herself forward as a Conservative candidate in Orpington in 1954.

By the mid-1970s, however, she had become leader of her party after finally being elected in the Finchley constituency and in 1979 became the UK’s first female prime minister.

She had a fundamental role in driving forward plans for the Channel Tunnel between Calais and Folkestone, creating a number of jobs, but also incurred negativity due to the closure of the last of Kent’s coal mines and the Royal Navy dockyards in Chatham.

2. Nigel Farage

To many, it didn’t come as a particular surprise when it was revealed that Nigel Farage would be standing in South Thanet in the general election.

Leader of the fastest emerging political force in the nation, it was obvious its leader should seek a seat in Westminster.

So with Laura Sandys standing down, and a strong Ukip showing in the local council and European elections, South Thanet was an obvious choice.

But he is no stranger to the constituency. In 2005 he stood...and finished fourth. He polled a mere 2,079 votes and a measly five per cent share of the vote. Few would bet against that being greatly enhanced this May.

3. Cherie Blair

A successful barrister and the wife of former prime minister Tony Blair, Cherie Blair was active in the Labour Party long before her husband’s election. In fact by his own admission, she was active in Labour politics “long before” he was.

And in 1983, under her maiden name of Cherie Booth, attempted to stand for the newly created Thanet North seat.

Hopes of reaching Westminster came to nothing, however.

Beaten comfortably into third place, she beat only the BNP to come third. She polled 14 per cent of the votes - a long way behind the Social Democratic candidate with 26.7 per cent...and winner Roger Gale who took a whopping 58.4 per cent. He has held on to the seat ever since.

Despite the occasional faux pas, Mrs Blair has continued to have an impressive career, setting up the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women - supporting women entrepreneurs in Africa, South Asia and the Middle East - in 2008 and being awarded a CBE in 2013 for services to women’s issues and to charity in the UK and overseas.

4. Jack Straw

A key part of Tony Blair, and subsequently Gordon Brown’s Labour government, Jack Straw held the offices of both home secretary and foreign secretary.

Elected as MP for Blackburn in 1979, he has enjoyed a long and fruitful career.

But he had attempted to get into the House of Commons five years earlier - standing

The British politician has been the MP for Blackburn since 1979.

He held two great offices of state- Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary- and served in the Cabinet under the governments of both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

He previously stood unsuccessfully as the Labour parliamentary candidate for the safe Conservative Tonbridge and Malling constituency in the February 1974 election.

He was beaten, more than 40 years ago, by John Stanley - who has remained in the seat ever since; although will retire at the end of his current term.

Jack Straw came third - missing out on second place by a whisker, with just a handful of votes separating him and the second placed Liberal candidate.

5. Al Murray

Well, let’s face it, he’s not going to win is he? Not unless the electorate are as daft as the Pub Landlord is.

In fact he’s taking a reverse route to get on our list. A famous face already, we’re unlikely to the see the character ever make it into Westminster.

Making sure Manston remains an airfield and making Thanet the capital of the UK are just some of the policies Al Murray - in his guise as the Pub Landlord - is using to woo the electorate.

In fact, he may struggle to get his deposit back.

But with his right wing views rivalling that of Nigel Farage, he may yet claim a few votes.

Read our full interview with the beer swilling candidate here

Know anyone we’ve missed? Let us know - email us at editorial@kosmedia.co.uk