In a world increasingly dominated by disinformation and political manoeuvring, a group of four friends founded an organization in 2018 that has become a formidable force in the realm of political activism. Their satirical campaigns, incisive video clips targeting politicians, and spotlighting issues of public concern have garnered millions of views online and frequent coverage in mainstream media outlets.
Initially known for their scathing posts, such as highlighting former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s overly optimistic tweets about life post-Brexit and contrasting them with reality, the group has evolved. Their recent approaches are more gravitas-laden, exposing politicians’ deceptive practices through undercover video footage.
Five years and hundreds of initiatives later, the group asserts they have a plethora of ideas in their arsenal ahead of the anticipated general elections next year. Oliver Nolz, one of the founders, told Agence France-Presse, “It’s more than just an anti-conservative campaign… there’s a larger mission for accountability” across the political spectrum while advocating “progressive ideas.”
James Sadri, the 44-year-old co-founder, emphasized, “For me, the broader mission is: combating populist rhetoric.”
The Genesis of the Name
The group, dubbed “Led By Donkeys,” came from a phrase coined during World War I to describe inept leaders who led British soldiers to their demise. The four friends formed the group while working at the environmental and climate activist organization Greenpeace, fueled by their frustration with Britain’s futile politics following the 2016 Brexit referendum.
Ben Stuart, a 49-year-old member, recalled, “We were together, reading some pro-Brexit tweets. We burst into laughter at the sheer chaos of the situation.”
Stripping Them of Their Power
The group’s latest posts in September targeted the controversial agreement between the British government and Rwanda to deport migrants arriving in the UK “illegally” without prior permission. Using hidden cameras, “Led By Donkeys” filmed the Rwandan ambassador in London downplaying police killings of refugees in his country. The video garnered nearly six million views on the former Twitter platform, now called X.
https://twitter.com/ByDonkeys/status/1708165280512245959
In March, they duped members of Parliament, including former Finance Minister Kwasi Kwarteng, who accepted lucrative job offers from fictitious companies. This ruse attracted nearly 30 million views on X.
The group has also tackled other serious topics, including the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sadri stated that their interventions are not limited to “heavy, political, and angry commentary.”
The friends still laugh when recalling their posts. Sadri added, “If you laugh at the donkeys, you strip them of their power”.
Nolz stated their message to the ruling conservatives is clear: “You must take responsibility for the chaos you’ve created.”
Accused of engaging in anti-conservative activities, they also say they have targeted the Labour opposition, which appears poised to win the upcoming elections after gaining ground in opinion polls.
“Led By Donkeys” posted a banner at the Labour Party headquarters in London to remind its leader, Keir Starmer, of his electoral reform promises.
