Cecil G. Murgatroyd
Encyclopedia
Cecil G. Murgatroyd was mainly known for being involved in New Zealand national politics along with Australian Federal and State politics, and for his role in the 1998 Australian Constitutional convention
. From 1981 until his death in 2001 he was generally associated with running, and standing as a candidate for, 2 non-serious parties, the Imperial British Conservative Party
(IBCP) and the McGillicuddy Serious Party
(McGSP), which both operated in the two countries. Murgatroyd's platforms were typically absurdist and of a 'pataphysical nature.
Murgatroyd was initially active in New Zealand politics in the early 1980s, as a candidate for the (then) Wizard of Christchurch's IBCP and as the founder of the Waikato Cavalry Rgt of Alf's Imperial Army
in the city of Hamilton
. In 1982 he moved to Melbourne
. It was there he set up the Australian headquarters of the McGillicuddy Serious Party in 1984.
After his move to Australia, he stood in elections there too against, among others, Prime Minister Bob Hawke
in two federal elections in the 1980s and 1990s. Bob Hawke likened him to the rear end of a donkey.
He often returned to New Zealand to contest parliamentary elections also, using tactics he described as being designed for "making elections interesting". In 1990 the McGillicuddy Serious Party invited him back to New Zealand to contest the seat of Christchurch North against New Zealand Prime Minister Mike Moore. In this campaign he described himself as the McGSP's "Prime Ministerial specialist" due to his experience in Australia.
Murgatroyd's aim in life was to be the first ever election candidate to not collect even one single vote, a record he hoped to achieve upon his return to New Zealand.
Murgatroyd was also involved in the Australian Constitional Convention, being an elected candidate under the ticket "Queen Anne of Australia".
In his campaign as a candidate in the 1998 Victorian state election Murgatroyd described himself as "a holy Prophet for the Senate". He proposed that new migrants would have to pass a batting bowling and fielding tests, to assessing their cricket
skills, in order to improve Australia's future sporting prospects.
He was diagnosed with cancer
of the duodenum in 1999, and died in 2001 in Melbourne.
A biography, The Life and Times of Cecil G Murgatroyd was published in 2003 by Spit the Dummy Press.
Australian Constitutional Convention 1998
The Australian Constitutional Convention 1998 was a Constitutional Convention which gathered at Old Parliament House, Canberra from 2–13 February 1998. It was called by the Howard Government to discuss whether Australia should become a republic...
. From 1981 until his death in 2001 he was generally associated with running, and standing as a candidate for, 2 non-serious parties, the Imperial British Conservative Party
Imperial British Conservative Party
The Imperial British Conservative Party was a farcical political party founded by The Wizard of New Zealand. It was dedicated to the grand traditions of British Imperialism in the face of capitalism, globalisation and the distinct lack of culture in Christchurch, New Zealand.The Imperial British...
(IBCP) and the McGillicuddy Serious Party
McGillicuddy Serious Party
The McGillicuddy Serious Party operated as a satirical political party in New Zealand politics during the late 20th century. Between 1984 and 1999, McGillicuddy Serious provided "colour" to New Zealand politics to ensure that citizens not take the political process too seriously...
(McGSP), which both operated in the two countries. Murgatroyd's platforms were typically absurdist and of a 'pataphysical nature.
Murgatroyd was initially active in New Zealand politics in the early 1980s, as a candidate for the (then) Wizard of Christchurch's IBCP and as the founder of the Waikato Cavalry Rgt of Alf's Imperial Army
Alf's Imperial Army
Alf's Imperial Army, founded in 1972 , by Ian Brackenbury Channell is New Zealand's longest-running and largest pacifist warfare organisation. Organised loosely along military lines, it has Regiments in several New Zealand towns and cities...
in the city of Hamilton
Hamilton, New Zealand
Hamilton is the centre of New Zealand's fourth largest urban area, and Hamilton City is the country's fourth largest territorial authority. Hamilton is in the Waikato Region of the North Island, approximately south of Auckland...
. In 1982 he moved to Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
. It was there he set up the Australian headquarters of the McGillicuddy Serious Party in 1984.
After his move to Australia, he stood in elections there too against, among others, Prime Minister Bob Hawke
Bob Hawke
Robert James Lee "Bob" Hawke AC GCL was the 23rd Prime Minister of Australia from March 1983 to December 1991 and therefore longest serving Australian Labor Party Prime Minister....
in two federal elections in the 1980s and 1990s. Bob Hawke likened him to the rear end of a donkey.
He often returned to New Zealand to contest parliamentary elections also, using tactics he described as being designed for "making elections interesting". In 1990 the McGillicuddy Serious Party invited him back to New Zealand to contest the seat of Christchurch North against New Zealand Prime Minister Mike Moore. In this campaign he described himself as the McGSP's "Prime Ministerial specialist" due to his experience in Australia.
Murgatroyd's aim in life was to be the first ever election candidate to not collect even one single vote, a record he hoped to achieve upon his return to New Zealand.
Murgatroyd was also involved in the Australian Constitional Convention, being an elected candidate under the ticket "Queen Anne of Australia".
In his campaign as a candidate in the 1998 Victorian state election Murgatroyd described himself as "a holy Prophet for the Senate". He proposed that new migrants would have to pass a batting bowling and fielding tests, to assessing their cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
skills, in order to improve Australia's future sporting prospects.
He was diagnosed with cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
of the duodenum in 1999, and died in 2001 in Melbourne.
A biography, The Life and Times of Cecil G Murgatroyd was published in 2003 by Spit the Dummy Press.