Brown effigy to be burned on bonfire

Friday, 30 October 2009 12:00 AM

By Ian Dunt

An effigy of the prime minister will be burned at bonfire night celebrations in Ripon next week.

Organisers said they wanted to go with a political theme, given the nature of the original gunpowder plot, but decided on Gordon Brown after consulting with sponsors and members of the public.

"Guy Fawkes did want to blow up the houses of parliament; it was a political plot, so we wanted to keep a political theme and with the economic situation as it is and an election coming up, Gordon Brown was the perfect choice," said committee member John Richmond.

The Ripon event was nearly cancelled due to the recession, but local sponsors stepped in at the last minute. The event is free but donations are being taken for local charities.

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