Press Release
15th November Contact Keith Flett 07803 167266
Beard Liberation Front confirms it will campaign for the first PM with a beard since 1902
The last PM with a beard
The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has confirmed that it won’t stand against Iain Duncan Smith in Chingford on the 12th December after supporters felt that there was a danger of splitting the vote and allowing IDS to retain the seat.
The campaigners say they noted the decision of the Green Party to stand down in favour of Labour candidate Faiza Shaheen and felt in this instance a BLF candidate would be a distraction.
The BLF has decided against standing any candidates in the 12th December General Election and will reveal other ways of promoting a Beard Friendly Britain with its Manifesto launch on Saturday
Part of this will be a list of Beard Friendly candidates who it will actively promote.
The campaigners say that they are concerned at the level of pogonophobia in Westminster politics and that far too many MPs are still clean-shaven men in suits and that they are determined to make this an Election issue.
BLF Organiser Keith Flett said, while we are not Party political there is clearly a chance in this Election that Britain could end up with its first bearded Prime Minister since Lord Salisbury in 1902. We wouldn’t want to do anything that might take away from that.
The Beard Liberation Front is an informal network of beard wearers and welcomes supporters, both women and men, who agree with our core principles.
It is not party political and does not usually stand candidates in Elections. However it is political in a broader sense, as it seeks a less discriminatory and more beard friendly Britain.
Founded in 1995 it campaigns against prejudice and celebrates positive images of the hirsute with an annual Beard of the Year award at the end of December. Beard Week, which focuses on a range of beard related issues, takes place every year in late June.
It has produced an updated version of its Election Manifesto on which it will seek the views of candidates and will publicise those who sign up to its Beard Friendly Charter.
The Beard Friendly Charter (Summary)
No to Beardism and pogonophobic prejudice against the hirsute
More hirsute MPs
More hirsute public employees and monitoring of hirsuteness levels in the senior Civil Service
Promotion of positive public images of the hirsute
No dress codes at work, beyond a requirement for smart appearance for public facing roles
Restrictions on barbers shops
Evening Standard report
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