Criticism of Sir Keir Starmer flooded in as usual after prime minister’s questions this week.
Starmer’s performance as he fielded questions about Lord Mandelson and the vetting process that led to him being appointed British ambassador to the United States was picked over by the usual crop of heavyweight broadcasters and newspaper columnists.
However, among those now assessing Starmer is a more anarchic commentator, The Crewkerne Gazette, who has been labelled “the Banksy of politics” by fans. It has amassed about 130,000 followers on social media and generated more than 200 million views.
The anonymous creator has cornered the market for fast-turnaround political satire with deftly executed videos that have earned him thousands of followers across social media.
His modus operandi? To use sophisticated AI tools to portray MPs in incongruous scenarios and tackle topical issues.
Within 90 minutes of this week’s session ending, the commentator had uploaded a video depicting Starmer as a Doctor Who dalek melting down in front of a laughing Rachel Reeves, the chancellor.
Rachel Reeves also features in a parody of the video game Grand Theft Auto
The same day, a rap music video was uploaded in which Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, dressed in a leopard skin fur coat, delivered a scathing takedown of Starmer concerning his China trip.
A rapping Badenoch with her front bench
“Over a barrel, flag lowered, head bowed, every deal he signs leaves the nation less proud,” she raps while flanked by a nodding Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, and James Cartlidge, the shadow defence secretary. “Weak hand, weak stance, world sees the slide, negotiates Britain to the back of the line.”
The videos are cutting through. President Trump’s performance of BBC Billion (Make ‘Em Pay) has generated more than 260,000 views, just ahead of Starmer and Mandelson’s duet Islands in the Epstein. A cover version of Barry Manilow’s Mandy features Starmer crooning at a piano interspersed with shots of him romantically rolling down a grassy hill with his former ally.
Sir Keir Starmer sings to Lord Mandelson and, below, in a pastiche of a scene in Star Wars
The idea is the brainchild of an anonymous 36-year-old from Somerset, who uses the name Crewkerne.
He spent time in the US working on the Trump presidential campaign in an unofficial capacity before returning to the UK equipped with AI technology he had developed.
The inspiration to launch the YouTube channel last summer came from frustration at the lack of comedy barbs aimed at the government. He said: “There was one mishap and scandal after another which left me thinking, ‘Where is the comedy? Why are none of the mainstream comedians covering this?’
“Most comedians are left-leaning socialists and it seemed like they are all focused on Trump and what’s happening in America. It was an ideal space to begin implementing the technology that I had to engage with the British people.”
“The Crewkerne Gazette” in Maga garb
Crewkerne said that although his personal politics oscillated between the Conservatives and Reform and he received a Christmas card from Badenoch, no party was off limits.
Although his primary ambition was to make people laugh, Crewkerne said the content was having an impact in Westminster.
He claimed some credit for contributing to the departure of Angela Rayner, the Labour deputy leader, last year.
“Our ‘How many homes can Rayner buy’ video got 12 million views and was being laughed about in a cabinet meeting,” he said. “It got to the position where she was being so completely ridiculed that she had no choice but to resign.”
Andrew Griffith, the shadow business secretary, who has featured in a Gucci tracksuit opposite David “Lammy” Dodger, has called for Crewkerne to win a Bafta award.
Robert Jenrick is not spared mockery
However, Crewkerne has no plans to reveal his identity despite preparing to launch a political pub crawl-themed podcast. “Having your name out there dilutes what we’re trying to achieve — which is to make people laugh,” he said. “And after the arrest of Graham Linehan over his tweets, there’s a lot of uncertainty about how the government is going to use the Online Safety Act to come after opponents.”
Crewkerne has received cross-party support helped by the fact that the videos are clearly AI parodies with no attempt to stray into harmful deepfake disinformation territory.
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg said that “these Crewkerne people … from Somerset” had prompted him to challenge Nigel Farage to a contest.
“They have done something on you and something on me dancing,” Rees-Mogg told the Reform leader on GB News. “So I am proposing a dance-off — the loser has to join the other’s party.”
Adam Dance, the MP for Yeovil, said the content had engaged people in politics. He told the BBC: “I have spoken to a lot of younger people who have seen this content and understand more who the leaders are. As it’s clear it’s AI, it does have its place.”
Gordon Brown lampooned as a singer of “Mandel in the wind”
Dan Patterson, co-creator of the comedy show Mock The Week, which was revived by TLC this month after being cancelled by the BBC, said Crewkerne Gazette marked the next generation of satire.
“It follows in the proud tradition of Punch, Private Eye, Have I Got News For You and Mock The Week,” he said. “When people are laughing, they feel less threatened. Satire can act as a release valve for those who are despairing. It might not solve the world’s problems but it certainly makes people feel better.”