Ballot Monkeys
| Ballot Monkeys | |
|---|---|
| Created by |
Andy Hamilton Guy Jenkin |
| Written by | Andy Hamilton Guy Jenkin |
| Starring |
Ben Miller Hugh Dennis |
| Opening theme | "Hit the Road Jack" |
| Composer(s) | Philip Pope |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 5 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Jimmy Mulville |
| Running time | 25 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Hat Trick Productions |
| Release | |
| Original network | Channel 4 |
| Picture format | 16:9 1080i |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original release | 21 April – 6 May 2015 |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Ballot Monkeys is a 2015 British comedy series which appeared on Channel 4 in the run up to the 2015 general election. The five-part series was set on campaign buses belonging to the Conservative Party, Labour Party, Liberal Democrats and UK Independence Party featuring groups of mid-level party campaign organisers as each embarks on their respective election campaigns.
The series was written by Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin. Episodes were written and produced within hours of transmission, allowing the characters to react to recent real-world events.
The series cuts between the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and UKIP buses. Apart from a brief phone call at the end of the last episode, these groups do not interact with each other. All scenes are shot inside or in the immediate vicinity of the campaign buses, and much of the humour comes from the candidates talking candidly in private about their party and campaign in ways that they would not do in public. In each party there are interpersonal conflicts between individuals.
In the Conservative group nominal leader Martin (Hugh Dennis), a frustrated one-nation conservative, clashes with the well-connected Baz (Jimmy Akingbola), the latter of which openly supports what he considers to be Boris Johnson's inevitable rise to power and is far more willing to engage in more cynical campaign ploys. Women's issues consultant Siobhan (Hattie Morahan) feels marginalised by both men. The group is completed by dim-witted and politically uninformed intern Ruby (Liz Kingsman), who the group is forced to employ as she is the daughter of a major party donor.
In the Labour group Jack (Trevor Cooper), a long time party supporter, is confused and dismayed by how the party, politics and campaigning has changed. Social media organiser Conor (Theo Barklem-Biggs) continually suggests unhelpful online strategies, mostly to the chagrin of co-ordinator Christine (Daisy Haggard). The advice of American political strategy consultant Melanie (Kathleen Rose Perkins), who is frequently depicted trying to secure a future job in the 2016 presidential election campaign, grates with her English colleagues.
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