Time to revive the Eldon League
Lord Eldon gave the word ‘reactionary’ a bad name. He was a staunch defender of the established order and vigorously opposed major reforms during his long career as a politician and judge. He was against political reform, Catholic emancipation, and the abolition of the slave trade, and he oversaw the government's prosecution of radicals in the 1790s.
The Eldon League was founded as a parodic, right-wing reactionary society in Britain (founded by Neil Hamilton in his university days) that humorously advanced absurdly retrograde ideas, promoting feudalism and absolute monarchy.
It was more of an eccentric society or satirical club than a serious political movement. Its stunts included ‘champagne duels,’ (trying to knock off opponents’ top hats by squirting champagne at them) to decide policy, walking in horse-drawn carriages, and commemorating royalist rituals.
It might be time for people to revive it as a symbolic or satirical movement, rather than making a serious impact. There is room in many democracies for parties or movements that use humour, satire, or performance to critique the status quo by exaggeration or absurdity, to offer an outlet for protest votes or disillusioned citizens, and to use spectacle to generate media attention or inject playful discourse.
The Monster Raving Loony Party is precisely that kind of outlet. It was founded in 1982 by Screaming Lord Sutch and continues as a satirical party. It still exists, though with diminished attention. Thus, an Eldon League revival wouldn’t necessarily be redundant: It could be differentiated in style, tone, or themes perhaps with more monarchist or ‘retro’ parody content.
The original Eldon League had a somewhat reactionary, anti-democratic flavor. Reviving it would have to avoid it being taken seriously by fringe reactionaries or being misinterpreted. Such movements often rely on charismatic individuals and theatrical stunts, and when enthusiasm wanes, they fade.
If people were to attempt an Eldon League revival, it would be important to clarify its tone and mission, to decide how self-aware it is. Would it be it ironically reactionary, or mocking reactionary ideals by adopting them to absurd lengths?
It could use retro-feudalism or monarchist parody as motifs, but adapt them to modern issues (e.g. “Feudal regulation of AI,” “Royal oversight of social media,” etc.). It could use irony and metaphor, not literal feudalism.
The original Eldon League’s champagne duels, royal commemorations, and carriage processions were designed to attract spectacle. A revived version should have visually arresting events to go viral, and draw press. In the internet age, memes, social media satire, viral videos, and ironic manifestos can amplify reach far beyond Cambridge dining club style.
Just as other satirical parties do, it might field candidates in elections where change is unlikely, more to make a statement than to win. It could be a platform to raise real issues. “If democracy is broken, here’s our parody alternative, but let’s talk about how to fix it.”
To guard against being hijacked by extremists, the movement should signal clearly “this is satire / parody / critique” from the start.
Could it outlast the Loony Party? Probably yes, at least for a time. Many people enjoy a clever, playful interlude in politics. The success depends on having charismatic organizers, good timing, and clever execution.
It would have to bring something fresh - a distinct identity, sharper satire, better media engagement, or a stronger critique than other satirical outlets.
In short, reviving the Eldon League could add something to the political theatre, particularly in the UK. It wouldn’t guarantee fun everywhere but it could spark imagination and inject much-needed laughter into the somewhat dreary world of serious politics.
Madsen Pirie