It’s now or never, Elvis

THE WONDER OF TWO . . . Dave Bishop (left) with Ray Gosling, complete with Elvis wig.

FREE condoms for pensioners, family planning clinics in Primark and a ban on Coronation Street and Eastenders – these are just some of the policies of the Bus Pass Elvis Party.

Candidate and party leader Dave Bishop says if voters don’t agree with his manifesto they should simply vote for someone else when polls open on Thursday.

Mr Bishop, who has funded his campaign with money from his Winter Fuel Allowance, was flanked by journalist, broadcaster and gay rights activist Ray Gosling as he spoke to constituents in the Red Lion, Lees.

Gosling, a well-known face in TV documentaries, once claimed to have suffocated a lover who was dying of AIDS, but later retracted his statement. He was charged with wasting police time.

Mr Bishop, who has stood in six previous by-elections across the country, says he doesn’t want to predict how many votes he will get. A 0.8 per cent share of the votes is his personal best.

His manifesto also states that people in Oldham should knit themselves a jumper instead of moaning about soaring heating bills.

He also wants to ban sex in old folks’ homes, boycott Lidl for selling reindeer meat and plant more flowers to help the bee population thrive.

Mr Bishop started the party in 2001 after growing tired of hearing the same promises from the main political parties. He named it after his musical hero.

Mr Gosling, who lives near Mr Bishop in Nottingham, said: "I am supporting Dave as he has something to say and I have always been a fan of people who stand on their own. I don’t always agree with him but I do support his right to have his own opinion.

"This is an important by-election as Oldham is traditionally a Labour/Liberal town.

“But I think the fringe candidates can hold the balance of power. Dave could really shake things up and cause trouble."