Anti-poverty campaigners launch George Osborne satire

'The Real George Osborne' series, created by Hoot Comedy, features Rufus Jones as the chancellor as he tries a number of ill-advised PR stunts in an attempt to become the next prime minister, in competition with the charismatic Boris Johnson.

The 14-part series has been commissioned by the World Development Movement and is shot in the style of a reality TV documentary. It launches today (22 November) and runs until Christmas.

The series comes ahead of next year's vote on regulation of food speculation by banks in the European Union as speculation on food prices drives food costs higher and creates poverty and hunger in developing countries.

The World Development Movement wants to persuade Osborne to "do the right thing" and back effective regulation.

 

The series comes ahead of next year's vote on regulation of food speculation by banks in the European Union as speculation on food prices drives food costs higher and creates poverty and hunger in developing countries.

The World Development Movement wants to persuade Osborne to "do the right thing" and back effective regulation.

The campaigners claim food speculation has added nearly £200 onto UK households' food bills in the past year.

Deborah Doane, World Development Movement director, said: "Investment banks are pouring billions of pounds of speculative money into food markets, sending prices spiralling out of control.

"Volatile prices only benefit a few very wealthy bankers, but wreak havoc on everyone else. This is a clear case where the Chancellor should side with the 99%."

People are being encouraged to support the campaign by sending an email to George Osborne via the site hosting the comedy series.

The fictional "real George Osborne" character will be tweeting via the @MrGeorgeOsborne Twitter handle and will be using a #RealGeorgeOsborne hashtag.

Comedian Rufus Jones is best known for his part in 'Holy Flying Circus', the re-imaging of the time around the release of 'Monty Python's Life of Brian'.

Follow Matthew Chapman at @mattchapmanUK

This article was first published on campaignlive.co.uk