Bobby Smith (activist)

Smith stood in the Witney constituency for the Give Me Back Elmo Party in the 2015 general election.{{cite news|url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/12878175.Elmo_helps_light_the_fire_of_dad___s_election_campaign_in_Witney/ |title=Elmo helps light the fire of dad's election campaign in Witney |work=Oxford Mail |date=9 April 2014 |accessdate=10 April 2014}} He and the party received media coverage as Smith and two other members of the party waited with placards to greet the Prime Minister, David Cameron, at the polling station where he cast his vote on election day (7 May 2015),{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/05/07/david-cameron-photobombed-elmo-polling-station-general-election-2015_n_7232782.html |title=David Cameron Photobombed By Elmo At Polling Station on General Election Day 2015 |work=HuffPost|location=UK |date=7 May 2015 |accessdate=9 May 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2015/05/07/what-uk-politicians-taste-like-and-four-other-absurd-moments-in-the-election.html |title=What U.K. politicians taste like and four other absurd moments in the election |work=Toronto Star|date=7 May 2015 |accessdate=9 May 2015}} and Smith appeared while dressed as the Sesame Street character Elmo at the vote count in numerous photos with the Prime Minister and behind him on the stage.{{cite news|url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/the-wackiest-and-most-colourful-candidates-who-nearly-stole-the-show-on-election-night-2015-073209854.html |title=The Wackiest And Most Colourful Candidates Who Nearly Stole The Show On Election Night 2015 |work=Yahoo |date=8 May 2015|accessdate=9 May 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11590783/Election-2015-results-the-weird-wonderful-and-the-downright-unexpected.html |title=Election 2015 results: the weird, wonderful and the downright unexpected |work=The Telegraph |date=8 May 2015 |accessdate=9 May 2015}} Smith ultimately finished tenth of twelve candidates, with 37 votes (0.1%).{{cite web |title=2015 general election results: Witney |url=https://electionresults.parliament.uk/election/2015-05-07/Results/Location/Constituency/Witney/ |website=Parliament.uk |access-date=10 August 2022}}

Smith stood in the Chells ward at the 2016 Stevenage Borough Council election, receiving 23 votes and finishing in last place in a field of six candidates.{{cite news|url=http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/Local-election-Stevenage-Borough-Council-results/story-29236371-detail/story.html|title=Local election: Stevenage Borough Council results|date=5 May 2016|work=Hertfordshire Mercury|accessdate=6 May 2016}} {{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

After the death of Harry Harpham MP, Smith was a candidate in the 2016 Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough by-election, receiving 58 votes (0.2%) and finishing in last place in a field of seven candidates.{{cite web | url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/politics/man-dressed-elmo-bids-be-sheffield-mp-1803397 | title=Man dressed as Elmo bids to be a Sheffield MP }}

After the resignation of Sadiq Khan MP, Smith stood in the 2016 Tooting by-election and received nine votes, finishing second-last of fourteen candidates.{{cite web|url=http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/info/200327/election_results/2167/tooting_constituency_by-election_result_june_2016|title=Tooting Constituency by-election result June 2016 - Tooting Constituency by-election result June 2016 - Wandsworth Council|first=Wandsworth|last=Council|date=|website=www.Wandsworth.gov.uk|access-date=10 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706125245/http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/info/200327/election_results/2167/tooting_constituency_by-election_result_june_2016|archive-date=6 July 2017|url-status=dead}}

He received just three votes, finishing last out of thirteen candidates, in the general election in June 2017, standing in the Maidenhead constituency, where Prime Minister Theresa May was re-elected.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000803 |title=Maidenhead Parliamentary constituency |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=9 June 2017}}

After the recall of Fiona Onasanya MP, Smith was an unaffiliated candidate in the 2019 Peterborough by-election, receiving five votes (0.01%) and again coming last, this time out of fifteen candidates.{{Cite web|url=https://www.peterborough.gov.uk/council/elections/election-details/|title=UK Parliamentary General Election 2019|website=Peterborough City Council}}{{cite news |url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/politics/peterborough-by-election-final-list-of-15-candidates-revealed-1-8922013?page=1 |title=Peterborough by-election:Final list of 15 candidates revealed |work=Peterborough Telegraph|accessdate=9 May 2019}}

He stood against the Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Uxbridge and South Ruislip in the 2019 General Election as an Independent, receiving eight votes and finishing eleventh of twelve candidates.{{cite web|url=https://archive.hillingdon.gov.uk/media/41777/Uxbridge--South-Ruilsip/pdf/Statement_of_Persons_Nominated_Uxbridge___South_Ruislip.pdf|title=Statement of Persons Nominated|website=London Borough of Hillingdon|accessdate=14 November 2019|archive-date=15 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115132952/https://archive.hillingdon.gov.uk/media/41777/Uxbridge--South-Ruilsip/pdf/Statement_of_Persons_Nominated_Uxbridge___South_Ruislip.pdf|url-status=dead}}

He stood against the Labour Party leader Keir Starmer in Holborn and St. Pancras in the 2024 General Election, finishing last out of twelve candidates with 19 votes.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/E14001290|title=Holborn and St Pancras - General Election Results 2024 - BBC News|publisher=BBC News}}

In August 2014, Smith camped outside the holiday home of Prime Minister David Cameron, in Daymer Bay, Cornwall. Smith was briefly arrested after using a megaphone in an attempt to speak to Cameron the previous day.{{cite news |url=http://www.cornishguardian.co.uk/Protester-camps-outside-Cameron-s-Cornish-holiday/story-22816236-detail/story.html |title=Protester camps outside Cameron's Cornish holiday retreat |work=Cornish Guardian |date=25 August 2014 |accessdate=31 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903053811/http://www.cornishguardian.co.uk/Protester-camps-outside-Cameron-s-Cornish-holiday/story-22816236-detail/story.html |archive-date=3 September 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|url=http://www.piratefm.co.uk/news/latest-news/1378860/protestor-targets-prime-minister-on-cornish-holiday/ |title=Protestor Targets Prime Minister on Cornish Holiday |work=Pirate FM |date=26 August 2014|accessdate=31 December 2014}}

In September 2014, Smith and fellow activist Carol Wheeler protested outside the home of Charles Walker, the MP for Broxbourne. Smith said, "My children are growing up without a father, I want a review of my case, or for someone to bring it up for debate – to give fathers equal rights, ending secrecy in Family Courts and judgements on balance of probability."{{cite news|url=http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/David-Cameron-Charles-Walker-targeted-New-Fathers/story-22911255-detail/story.html#ixzz3WFRsoK3f|title=David Cameron and Charles Walker targeted by New Fathers 4 Justice protester|work=Hertfordshire Mercury|date=11 September 2014|accessdate=31 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924025908/http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/David-Cameron-Charles-Walker-targeted-New-Fathers/story-22911255-detail/story.html#ixzz3WFRsoK3f|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}} Walker spoke of the protest in Parliament as a point of order, saying, "I recognise the right to protest, but the use of a loud-hailer made it almost impossible to hold a conversation with those visiting my surgeries."{{cite news|url= https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2014-09-08a.678.1 |title=Points of Order Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 4:52 pm on 8th September 2014 |work=TheyWorkForYou.com |date=8 September 2014 |accessdate=31 December 2014}}

File:Real Birmingham Family statue - Library of Birmingham (15554389317).jpg]]

In November 2014, Smith, accompanied by Wheeler, covered the A Real Birmingham Family statue with a white sheet and pictures of his own two daughters in protest at no father being included in the statue. Smith said "They've depicted the normal family with no fathers. There's nothing wrong with single mothers, but this statue is saying one person can do both jobs, and I believe kids are always better off with both parents in their lives."{{cite web|url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/library-birmingham-statue-attacked-new-8033694|title=Library of Birmingham statue attacked by New Fathers For Justice protester|last=Hallam|first=Katie|date=1 November 2014|work=Birmingham Mail|accessdate=28 March 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/11205005/Is-Gillian-Wearings-family-sculpture-offensive-to-fathers.html|title=Is Gillian Wearing's family sculpture offensive to fathers?|last=Lyndon|first=Neil|author-link=Neil Lyndon|date=2014-11-03|work=The Telegraph|accessdate=28 March 2015}}

The director of the Ikon Gallery, Jonathan Watkins, said of Smith's protest after meeting with him, "We had a good exchange of ideas, he has his take on things, and I have my take on things. I think it's great that somebody has the freedom to express themselves. It's all good, it's part of this democratic society that we cherish."{{cite web|url=https://news.artnet.com/art-world/ikon-director-responds-to-a-real-birmingham-family-controversy-161789 |title= Ikon Director Responds to A Real Birmingham Family Controversy | last = Milliard | first = Coline | date=10 November 2014|work=Artnet |accessdate=2 April 2015}}

In December 2014, Smith, along with other protesters from New Fathers 4 Justice, carried out a protest at the Witney constituency home of Prime Minister David Cameron, that resulted in Smith and the other protesters being issued with an harassment order. In a video taken by the protesters, Cameron told the group, "I really think you've made your point and you can go now. You are frightening my children and the neighbours and that's not fair." Smith said, "We have been protesting within the law, we haven’t been using a loud hailer and were within our rights to be there" and "I’m not going to give up".{{cite news|url= http://www.itv.com/news/meridian/update/2014-12-31/protesters-evicted-for-harassing-pms-home-vow-to-continue-fight/ |title=Protesters evicted for harassing PM's home vow to continue fight |date=31 December 2014| work = ITV News| accessdate=2 April 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://m.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/11694413.Campaigners_outside_David_Cameron_s_house_in_Dean_handed_harassment_order/?ref=mr |title=Campaigners outside David Cameron's house in Dean handed harassment order |date=30 December 2014|work=Oxford Mail|accessdate=2 April 2015}}

In February and March 2015, Smith carried out several protests alone and with others aimed at longserving Labour MP Harriet Harman and the Labour pink bus campaign. Starting in Stevenage at the launch of the campaign, Smith first confronted Harman in Asda and then again later in the day whilst wearing a T-shirt bearing the slogan "This is what a victim of feminism looks like". Smith said, "You're dividing up men and women ... you're making it them versus us. Are you thinking of getting blue van?"{{cite news | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/labour-pink-bus-angry-man-heckles-harriet-harman-over-patronising-campaign-during-tour-10038933.html?origin=internalSearch | title = Labour pink bus: Angry man heckles Harriet Harman over 'patronising' campaign during tour | last = Dearden|first=Lizzie|date=11 February 2015|work=The Independent | accessdate=2 April 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/11406076/Harriet-Harmans-pink-bus-tour-kicks-off-in-Stevenage.html |title=Harriet Harman's pink bus tour kicks off in Stevenage |last=Watt|first=Holly|date=11 February 2015|work=The telegraph|accessdate=2 April 2015}}

Smith also confronted Harman in Croydon,{{cite news | url = http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/Fathers-Justice-protesters-far-right-activists/story-26046625-detail/story.html | title = Fathers 4 Justice protestors and far-right activists gatecrash Labour's 'pink bus' visit to New Addington | date = 18 February 2015 | work = Croydon Advertiser | accessdate = 2 April 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150518073436/http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/Fathers-Justice-protesters-far-right-activists/story-26046625-detail/story.html | archive-date = 18 May 2015 | url-status = dead }}{{cite web|url=https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/11811471.Croydon_needs_a_female_MP__says_shadow_minister_on__patronising__pink_bus_tour/ |title=Croydon needs a female MP, says shadow minister on 'patronising' pink bus tour |last=Baynes|first=Chris|date=23 February 2015|work=Croydon Guardian|accessdate=2 April 2015}} Cambridge{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Harriet-Harman-defends-bright-pink-bus-visit/story-26077386-detail/story.html|title=Harriet Harman defends bright pink bus on visit to Cambridge|last=Busby|first=Eleanor|date=24 February 2015|work=Cambridge News|accessdate=2 April 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518065105/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Harriet-Harman-defends-bright-pink-bus-visit/story-26077386-detail/story.html|archivedate=18 May 2015}} and Gloucester where Smith said, "Fathers in this country falsely accused of domestic violence are lower down the scale when it comes to rights than a convicted paedophile. I haven't seen my children for four years. I have tried everything else so I have to protest like this." When asked whether she would take the time to listen to Smith's story, Harman said: "I have talked to fathers' groups over the years and I know what they are protesting about. He [Smith] is protesting about his own family situation and that is not something that should be decided by politics. That is something for the family court."{{cite web|url=http://www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk/Fathers-4-Justice-protesters-gatecrash-Harriet/story-26124727-detail/story.html|title=New Fathers 4 Justice protesters gatecrash Harriet Harman's visit to Gloucester|last=Mortimer|first=Hayley|date=5 March 2015|work=Gloucester Citizen|accessdate=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407073214/http://www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk/Fathers-4-Justice-protesters-gatecrash-Harriet/story-26124727-detail/story.html|archive-date=7 April 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite web | url = http://www.gloucesterreview.co.uk/news.cfm?id=27310&headline=Fathers%20for%20Justice%20halt%20Harman%E2%80%99s%20pink%20bus%20tour | title=Fathers for Justice halt Harman's pink bus tour |date=12 March 2015|work = Gloucester Review | publisher = Tindle Newspaper Group | accessdate=2 April 2015}}

In March 2015, after asking Labour leader Ed Miliband a question at a question-and-answer session in Rotherhithe, Smith along with other New Fathers 4 Justice protesters were involved in an altercation outside. It was originally alleged that Miliband was "punched and shoved". New Fathers 4 Justice later released a video showing Miliband getting in the car unimpeded and smiling throughout. Smith told BuzzFeed News: "We were there because he didn’t answer my question on shared parenting. I think as long as you don’t block his path and he’s not scared, it’s OK to raise your voice and be heard."{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/emilyashton/watch-ed-miliband-being-ambushed-by-protesters-just-hours-be |title=Watch Ed Miliband Being Ambushed By Protesters Just Hours Before TV Debate |last=Ashton|first=Emily|date=30 March 2015|work=Buzzfeed|accessdate=2 April 2015}}

On Father's Day 2015, Smith and another protester climbed Westminster Abbey and unfurled banners to highlight fathers' rights.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/11690353/Fathers-stage-protest-at-Westminster-Abbey.html |title=Fathers stage protest at Westminster Abbey |work=The Telegraph |date=21 June 2015 |accessdate=15 October 2015}}

In October 2015, Smith climbed onto the roof of the home of Chris Grayling, the leader of the House of Commons.{{cite news | last = Welch | first = Ben | title = Bob the Builder and Elmo in police custody after climbing onto Chris Grayling's roof in Ashtead | newspaper = Epsom Guardian | publisher = Newsquest | date = 22 October 2015 | url = http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/13889448.Bob_the_Builder_and_Elmo_in_police_custody_after_climbing_onto_MP_s_roof/?ref=mr&lp=6 | access-date = 9 June 2016}}

On 30 November 2015, Smith climbed onto the roof of the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace along with fellow campaigner Martin Mathews and remained on the roof for several hours before giving themselves up.{{cite news | title = Fathers' rights activists scale roof at Buckingham Palace | publisher = BBC News | date = 30 November 2015 | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34959459 | access-date =9 June 2016}}

{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Bobby}}

Category:1982 births

Category:21st-century British politicians

Category:British political candidates

Category:British political party founders

Category:Fathers' rights activists

Category:Independent British political candidates

Category:Leaders of political parties in the United Kingdom

Category:Living people

Category:People from Enfield, London

Category:Novelty candidates