I THANK all those who promised support, and apologise to them in advance because I am now no longer able to stand in the forthcoming General Election.

It is as big a disappointment to me as to many of you but, British democracy being what it is, you still need at least £500 to register as a candidate.

There are many other expenses as well and because of recent thefts, and some accidental damage to our Loony Bandwagon (on to which everybody wanted to leap) we found ourselves bereft of lucre. However, I still urge you all to vote because I've heard vicious rumours that some of you may stay at home on Polling Day.

Your freedom to choose who rules you is still one of the greatest rights we have in this country and by not voting you throw it away - in which case we may as well be a dictatorship. Whoever gets elected it will, at least, be your choice who abuses their power and breaks their promises. I shall return more loony and madder than ever at the next local elections. Until then Loon on!

Eddie Vee,

Official Monster Raving Loony Party,

Wenham Road,

Woodlands, York.

Updated: 10:38 Thursday, April 28, 2005