By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
The Nottingham political campaigner known as Bus Pass Elvis will be formally remembered by Nottingham City Council following his death.
Dave Bishop, who was also known as ‘Lord Biro’ was best known for bringing comedy to local politics through a series of campaigns which began in 1997.
He died on December 4 at the age of 78.
In 2014 he gained more votes than the Liberal Democrats in a council by-election in Clifton North.
He ran for elections for parties including the bus Pass Elvis Party, the Elvis Defence League, and the Militant Elvis Anti-Tesco Popular Front.
Nottingham City Council said its leader Cllr David Mellen (Lab) will remember Mr Bishop at the authority’s next full council meeting on January 9.
In 2019 Mr Bishop contested the Broxtowe parliamentary seat – with a manifesto pledging to reopen public toilets in the borough and scrap HS2.
Matt Turpin, who worked with Mr Bishop as a “very unofficial election agent” in the 2019 race, described him as a “mythical character and a unique and individual guy”.
He said: “He joked that I was his agent and he would phone me up throughout the campaign to ask for my help.
“He would turn up in Beeston handing out flyers and pretending to be Elvis.
“It was such a relief to walk around with him when there wasn’t much fun to be found elsewhere. I didn’t know that would be his last campaign but it was an honour to be with him during that time.
“Even in politics, he got a lot of love from the people he stood against.
“He was very aware he’d never become Prime Minister but he wanted to get people talking through comedy and poetry.
“A friend of his told me that he wanted to be Nottingham’s mayor – in another reality maybe he would be.
“He would’ve been delighted that the council were remembering him. It’s a wonderful gesture.”
Lilian Greenwood, Labour MP for Nottingham South, Tweeted when news of his death first emerged, saying: “This is very sad news. Always a pleasure to bump into Dave out on the campaign trail or around town. Elections won’t be the same without him.”
Nadia Whittome, who represents Nottingham East for Labour, added: “I’m very sorry to hear of Dave’s passing.
“Many people in Nottingham have fond memories of him and will miss him greatly.”
