At annual bonfire celebrations in Lewes, East Sussex, an effigy of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was unveiled, drawing boos from the crowd. The tableau was one of seven produced by local bonfire societies and burned along with a traditional Guy Fawkes. Effigies of previous prime ministers, including Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Tony Blair, as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin and broadcaster Katie Hopkins, have also been featured in past celebrations.
Despite recent Storm Ciarán causing travel disruptions and a yellow weather warning being issued, thousands of people attended the event in Lewes. The town, known for its lively 5 November celebration, features cross parades marking the burning of 17 Protestant martyrs during the reign of Mary I, known as “Bloody Mary”. The societies, many of which are more than a century old, surprise the onlookers with the effigies they produce per year.
One tableau displayed at this year’s event featured Chancellor Jeremy Hunt driving a train with HS2 on the side. Some people suggested that the rail project got cancelled due to cuts in Treasury. The procession also includes firecrackers, burning crosses, and drummers. Despite warnings about overcrowding, a multi-agency response attended the event, including fire and ambulance services.
One of the societies producing the effigy of the prime minister apologised for causing offence, whilst the only known image of the effigy depicts Sunak coming out of a train with the face of the RMT union president Mick Lynch. Additionally, a separate effigy read: “We stand and don’t deliver” on the front
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