Politics

Tory icon Tiger Patel wins local election in Blackburn – and Twitter’s loving it

Tory icon Tiger Patel wins local election in Blackburn – and Twitter’s loving it

A Tory candidate whose campaign video made him an overnight sensation has won his seat in the local election.

Tiger Patel went viral thanks to the surreal clip which showed him posing in a children’s playground next to X-rated graffiti.

Patel, who describes himself as “the BoJo of Blackburn”, beat the Labour incumbent Maryam Batan by 1,209 votes to 1,096 to secure the Audley and Queen’s Park ward.

Responding to the news, Mr Patel tweeted: “THANK YOU, Great People of Audley & Queen’s Park!

“I will be Councillor for all! Thank you, thank you!”

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His campaign clip (which clearly did the trick), was viewed millions of times on Twitter after it was posted on Wednesday night

It shows him, at one point, standing atop a slide and making peace fingers – unaware that he is standing behind graffiti which shows a doodle of male genitalia.

News of his victory at the polls has clearly delighted his new social media fans – his name was trending on Friday afternoon:

Patel has become well known locally for similar videos highlighting what he says are some of the main issues in the area, including fly-tipping, potholes and the state of local facilities, like the parks.

He previously ran as an independent but said he was moved to run as a Conservative this time after seeing Boris Johnson make speeches on TV – and says he has even been compared with the Prime Minister.

Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph following his council triumph, he said: “I am honestly speechless for once. “This win is for the community. They want change I always felt it.

“In the past three years we have put a lot of work in the local neighbourhood and I think people have responded to that.

“I felt we had a chance. Next I just want to get to work.”

He added: “I would like to thank the community and also my dedicated cameraman Abu Bakar Lorgat.”

The proud cameraman responded: “It was wonderful working with him. I loved every minute of it.”

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