Net ushers in Buckets of Love for by-election

The by-election in Kensington and Chelsea next week may not be the political event of the year but it does have a smidgen of interest for Web watchers. Among the colourful list of 18 candidates fighting it out for a seat in parliament are two hopefuls that owe their political platform to the Internet. Lisa Lovebucket, the People's Net Dream Ticket Party, wants the residents of Kensington and Chelsea to use the Internet to promote greater democracy. "We will encourage the use of local Internet to provide… the facilities to discuss, debate and vote on any issues that concern them, using bulletin boards, newsgroups and chat rooms," said Ms Lovebucket in her manifesto. She also wants to introduce sponsored loan bicycles that can be left all around the Royal Borough as part of her green transport policy. The bikes would then be released from special docking stations using smart cards. Also standing at Kensington and Chelsea is Tonysamuelsondotcom, representing the Stop Tobacco Companies Farming Our Children party. Mr Tonysamuelsondotcom is particularly concerned at the use of advertising by tobacco companies to recruit young smokers. The by-election takes place on Thursday 25 November. The full list of candidates are: Labour -- Robert Atkinson Liberal Democrats -- Robert Woodthorpe Browne Green Party -- Hugo Charlton Independent Environmentalist Stop Climate Change -- John Davies Democratic Party -- Charles, Earl of Burford UK Independence Party -- Damian Hockney Daily and Sunday Sport Party -- Louise Hodges Official Monster Raving Loony Party -- Alan "Howling Laud" Hope Campaign for Living Will Legislation -- Michael Irwin People's Net Dream Ticket Party -- Lisa Lovebucket Equal Parenting Party -- Peter May UK Pensioners Party -- George Oliver Legalise Cannabis Alliance -- Colin Paisley Conservative -- Michael Portillo Referendum Party -- Stephen Scott-Fawcett Pro Euro Conservative Party -- John Stevens Stop Tobacco Companies Farming Our Children -- Tonysamuelsondotcom Natural Law -- Gerard Valente ®