THE TIMES TV & Radio * News * Opinion * Business * Money * Sport * Life * Arts * Puzzles * Papers * Irish news * List View * Site Map * RSS Feeds * Welcome to your preview of The Times Subscribe now Laughing all the way to the ballot box: the new political comedy * Article * Video * Slideshow Ballot Monkeys is a comedy set on four general election buses Channel 4 * * Print Share via * Facebook * Twitter * Google+ Alex Hardy Last updated at 12:01AM, April 17 2015 Ed Miliband said recently that he’s glad Spitting Image no longer exists. Does that make him less of a man than Maggie Thatcher, who famously enjoyed Yes Minister? And what about Sir Gerald Kaufman, who even wrote for That Was The Week That Was, between standing for elections? Or is he more of a David Steel, who apparently loathed his Spitting Image alter ego, a tiny figure who sat literally in David Owen’s pocket. So just how much are our current crop of politicians haunted by the spectre of satire? Do they get the night sweats at visions of Russell [TT_Sale_Teaser_1020376a.jpg] [TT_Winter_Sale_15__1018362a.jpg] Subscribe now Login Already a subscriber? To see the full article you need to subscribe Subscribe Login Brand new Newzoids - ITV Clip from ITV’s Newzoids 2015-04-17 00:01:00.0 1/3 Prev Next Ballot Monkeys is a comedy set on four general election buses 2015-04-17 00:01:00.0 Channel 4 * Ballot Monkeys is a comedy set on four general election buses 2015-04-17 00:01:00.0 Channel 4 * George Osborne and David Cameron come to life as puppets in Newzoids 2015-04-17 00:01:00.0 ITV * Alex Salmond in Newzoids 2015-04-17 00:01:00.0 ITV Behind the story: Hugo Rifkind: Who would be who in my fantasy screen cabinet Take Hugh Grant’s PM, add both versions of the House of Cards chief whip, and throw in Spitting Image’s Neil... Published at April 17 2015 * Related topics: * Politics + Ed Miliband * UK News + British Broadcasting Corporation Sponsored Editorial Insight New year - new view As thoughts turn to fresh starts and healthier living, put some focus on your eyes in 2016 Morne Morkel Number one test Guide to England in South Africa With analysis from chief cricket correspondent Mike Atherton In The Heart Of The Sea In The Heart Of The Sea Discover the true story of Moby Dick Take a voyage back to the 1820s as The Times celebrates Ron Howard’s new movie Apprentice The future of engineering Take the fear factor out of innovation How cultural resistance to change must be overcome if companies want to move ahead Cyber security Cyber Security Don’t kiss goodbye to online safety How to educate employees about protecting their data from hackers Tech entrepreneurs Kano are playing to win The Challengers Tech nation are playing to win The UK’s digital entrepreneurs are powering ahead Philips Airfryer A healthier diet starts here Free 32-recipe Airfryer cookbook - to make indulging in our favourite foods a guilt-free pleasure Ready Business Mentor Revealing the five entrepreneurs to be guided by business guru Sophie Cornish National Business Awards National Business Awards Showcasing achievement Rewarding success through innovation from entreprenuers to SMEs and FTSE100 Business City Guide City Business Getting started Thinking of setting up a business abroad? Don’t go anywhere without consulting this guide Goldman Sachs Goldman Sachs Understanding capital markets Speed of European monetary union has left capital markets in the slow lane The 2015 Peer Awards Celebrating the inspirational in business More from TV & Radio What to watch on TV tonight Published at 12:01AM, January 17 2016 Call the Midwife BBC Two, 8pm The midwives and nuns of Nonnatus House return for a fifth series of the period drama that combines gentle handling of the hard-hitting issues of the era with the fluffy, harmless plotlines that comfort the millions who tune in Nadiya’s earl grey and pistachio cake Published at 6:13PM, January 16 2016 Our food columnist brews up the perfect treat for tea drinkers – an earl grey-infused variation on coffee and walnut cake Mothers Published at 12:01AM, January 16 2016 Author Jeremy Gavron’s mother committed suicide when he was four — here he chooses six mothers from screen and art Find * Jobs * Motors * Property * Holidays Search Form Search all Jobs ____________________ (BUTTON) Search * Director General The Department for Communities and Local Government, The Department for Communities and Local Government, London-Regular travel throughout the UK to other locations will be required, circa £130,000 * Business Project Manager University of Bedfordshire, Luton, Bedfordshire, £32,600 - £38,896 per annum * FIND YOUR NEXT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ROLE NonExecutiveDirectors.com, Nationwide, Competitive * Health Service Executive ,Health Service Executive (HSE), Ireland, Competitive * + Search Form Search all Cars ____________________ (BUTTON) Search * Tom Hartley Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster Grigio Estoque with nero marrone leather * Tom Hartley 1965 Ferrari I 250 TR recreation red with leather * Tom Hartley Bentley Continental GT V8 glacier white with beluga hide * Tom Hartley Aston Martin Vanquish 2+2 volcano red with winter wheat leather * + Search Form Enter place or area ____________________ Search (*) For sale ( ) For rent * THE ARK, BOURTON An exciting opportunity to create a unique and modern five bedroom house with traditional features set in 5.83 acres in a beautiful location in Shropshire * The Chatsworth, New York Magnificent 1-5 Bedroom Residences on Manhattan’s Upper West Side * Salcombe’s Luxury Waterside Property Salcombe’s first development of new properties right on the water’s edge for almost twenty years. * 50 United Nations Plaza Discover the ultimate global address in New York, designed by Foster + Partners * + * Rocky Mountaineer Grand Rail Circle 11 day luxury rail journey through Canada’s Rockies, incl flights fr £3554pp * Kenya Fly in Safari & Beach £1,899pp Book with Hayes & Jarvis now & save £223pp on the Governors Fly-in safari & beach package * FREE All Inclusive room upgrade! When staying at the 4* db San Antonio Hotel & spa, Malta this summer * Deluxe River Cruises From £995pp Save £500pp on 2016 European cruises inc meals, selected drinks, tips & excursions. * + * Most Read * Most Active [facebook-2_105831a.gif] [twitter-2_105832a.gif] How to complain about an article in The Times Comment box cutout © Times Newspapers Limited 2016 | Version 5.14.3.0(159135) Registered in England No. 894646 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF My Account | Editorial Complaints | RSS | Classified advertising | Display advertising | International print subscriptions | Encounters Dating | Sunday Times Wine Club | Privacy & Cookie Policy | Syndication | Site Map | FAQ | Terms & Conditions | Contact us | iPhone | Android smartphone | Android tablet | Kindle | Kindle Fire | Place an announcement in The Times | Sunday Times Driving | The Times Bookshop | Times Tutorials | Times Currency Services | Times Print Gallery | Handpicked Collection