Imperial British Conservative Party

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The Imperial British Conservative Party was a farcical political party founded by The Wizard of New Zealand in 1974. It "stood for the traditions of British imperialism in the face of capitalism, globalisation and the distinct lack of culture in Christchurch, New Zealand."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It was still operating in 1984, though news reports also referred to it as The Wizard Party.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The party contested the Template:NZ election link on a platform of conserving the monarchy, waging a fourth world war using votes and notices of motion to convert everyone to the British way of life, and the elimination of work to strengthen the family.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It planned to stand a dozen candidates.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The party stood a candidate in the 1976 Nelson by-election, where a tabulation error in their final results was attributed to a "hex" placed by the Wizard.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

For the Template:NZ election link it changed its name to the Tory Party.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It later ran a candidate in the 1980 Onehunga by-election.

At the Template:NZ election link it ran a candidate against Geoffrey Palmer.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It also ran candidates at the Template:NZ election link.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Activity in Australia

The Imperial British Conservative Party also had a presence in Australia, especially during the republican debate of the 1990s. The party ran three candidates at the 1983 Australian federal election.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

One of its candidates, Cecil G. Murgatroyd, had run for parliament in several Australian federal elections, at each time standing against the Prime Minister (initially Bob Hawke), and in the 1992 Wills by-election after Hawke resigned from parliament.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In official statements, Murgatroyd listed his occupation as "dole bludger". At other times, Murgatroyd stood under the banner of another New Zealand joke party, the McGillicuddy Serious Party.Template:Citation needed

In one Australian election in the 1980s, the party promised to dye the Speaker's wig a conservative blue.Template:Citation needed

Another candidate, James Ferrari (at one point contesting as Jim Ferrari) ran for the party in the seat of Melbourne at every election from 1980 until 2001.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>