Comedian Al Murray to stand against Nigel Farage as 'Pub Landlord' in General Election

COMEDIAN Al Murray today revealed he plans to take on Ukip leader Nigel Farage at the General Election - using his 'Pub Landlord' character.

Al Murray and Nigel FaragePA

Al Murray was run as his character The Pub Landlord against Nigel Farage at the General Election

The 46-year-old's alter-ego is known for a love of all things British, with Murray's creation set to represent his newly-formed Free United Kingdom Party.

Mr Murray will fight against Mr Farage for the South Thanet seat in Kent during May's vote.

His tongue-in-cheek manifesto includes guiding the UK out of Europe by 2025 and out of the Solar System by 2050 as it is "common market sense".

Explaining his decision to stand, Mr Murray said: "It seems to me that the UK is ready for a bloke waving a pint around, offering common sense solutions."

The comment seems to reference Mr Farage, who often has been pictured with a pint in hand while on the campaign trial.

The Guv's common sense message to the UK

It seems to me that the UK is ready for a bloke waving a pint around, offering common sense solutions

Al Murray

The Oxford-educated comedian also pledged to buy Greece and have it operated by Kent County Council so there is "someone to do the bins at least".

He also pledged to control immigration by blocking the Channel Tunnel with "British bricks" - but said he would probably need Polish workers to help.

In a video posted online he explained: "Let it be known that like many of the Parliamentary hopefuls in the forthcoming election, I have no idea where South Thanet is - but did that stop Margaret Thatcher from saving the Falkland Islands? No."

Mr Farage sent a message to Mr Murray on social networking site Twitter, which read: "The more, the merrier".

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Ukip leader said the politician was "at last" facing some "serious competition" in the South Thanet constituency.

The constituency was won by the Conservative Party from Labour at the previous election in 2010.

It is already the focus of huge attention due to Mr Farage's decision to stand.

Ukip leader Nigel FaragePA

A Ukip spokesman said that Nigel Farage was at last facing some "serious competition"

Al Murray as The Pub LandlordPA

Al Murray pledged to take the UK out of Europe and the Solar System

Mr Murray's campaign slogan is: "Other parties offer the moon on a stick. We'll do better than that: a British moon on a British stick."

His decision comes two years after fellow comic Simon Brodkin handed in nomination papers to stand against David Cameron as his character Lee Nelson.

However, he went on to withdraw his application later on the same day.

Mr Murray added: "The reason I'm standing is because the system is broken, we all know it is.

"You hear people saying 'you shouldn't vote'. Well you should vote boys and girls, you should vote for me."

He also promised "1p a pint" but said that "crisps will remain at the current price".

His party's logo features an upturned pound sign which appears to be a parody of the Ukip symbol.

Earlier this week the Happy Mondays dancer Bez launched his own political bid as he confirmed plans to stand for election for his Reality Party in Salford.

However, the music personality - whose real name is Mark Berry - had his political hopes scuppered after he failed to register a name for his party.

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