Labour's Flower Boy
CW: Mentions of suicide
Basil Suzuki is an absolute phenomenon in British politics.
Some may claim that Jeremy Corbyn had a cult following. This is true, from a certain point of view. However, as it turned out, this was absolutely nothing when compared to his successor. Suzuki, known popularly simply as Basil much like former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, is an anomaly in more ways than one.
Born far, far away from Britain in Portland, Oregon in 1987 as Basil Miller, to parents that were apparently 'too busy' to take care of him, he moved to the picturesque town of Faraway when he was young to live with his grandmother. It was there as a boy that he met a group of people that he claims to this day changed his life, including his future husband, noted artist and violinist Sunny Suzuki. Basil claims to this day that it is this friend group that encouraged him to pursue photography and botany, and also inspired his signature flower hair accessories. At this time, he was also first acquainted with his grandmother's (and later for a time his own) caretaker, Polly Sherwin, who he currently employs as his secretary.
In 1999, tragedy befell his group as Sunny Suzuki's beloved sister took her own life. The group apparently fell apart after this, not reforming until 2003. Basil claims that this four-year period was by far the darkest years of his life, and he is clearly uncomfortable whenever journalists mention this period and especially the death of Sunny's sister. Basil mentions that he suffered rather vicious bullying during this time, and that he does not like to think about this period. He described this period further by saying that it was a time where he had truly little to no hope for the future. This dark period came to a crescendo with a reported mental breakdown, following the death of his grandmother after a period in intensive care. He and his husband have almost always strongly refused to answer questions on this dark period, with exception to one interview Basil gave shortly after being elected leader. Basil explained that Sunny saved him from committing suicide during this period, and that he would forever be grateful for what Sunny did then, and throughout his life. Reports suggest it was around the same time that Sunny Suzuki lost his right eye, giving rise to his signature eye patch.
In 2004, Basil came out as gay and entered a relationship with his future husband; he claims the day they mutually confessed to be one of the best days of his life. In 2005, Basil and Sunny moved to Llanarthne in Wales to start a new life and to facilitate both of their studies at university level, reportedly funded in part with the help of their friends in Oregon. Basil became moderately well known in the fields of both botany and photography for his advancements and innovations in both fields, and for his combination of both. Around this time Basil initially joined the Green Party of England of Wales; he claims he did so because of a lack of knowledge of any politics at the time, let alone British politics.
In 2007, during a rally he participated in as a member of the Greens, Basil was noticed by Swansea West MP and Father of the House Alan Williams, who immediately took a liking to the young man's clear and apparent desire for a better and cleaner world. Shortly after, Basil joined the Labour Party on Williams' urging. He immediately became very well liked in the Constituency Labour Party and his mannerisms endeared him to the many, not the few. Around this time, Basil dabbled in a bit of journalistic photography, periodically going to Labour, Conservative, and Liberal Democrat events. Gordon Brown, who had just succeeded Blair as Prime Minister, was reportedly impressed by his photography.
Alan Williams, who planned to retire at the next election slated for 2010, was looking for a successor, but until this point, he didn't really have anyone in mind. However, once he started training Basil in the ways of politics, he realised he had found a suitable heir, and pushed for Basil to be selected as the next Labour PPC for Swansea West. He was eventually selected, besting the efforts of an attempted parachute campaign from former Croydon MP Geraint Davies. Having been thrust into politics, his friends in Oregon were reportedly flabbergasted to hear that he was in line to become an MP. Apparently, even Basil himself was a bit astonished that the course of his life had thrust him into the world of politics. He was also shocked at the speed of his own rise, and also that Alan Williams wanted him as his successor after such a brief time in the first place. It is said that Williams thought that Basil very clearly loved his adoptive country of Wales, and he clearly had an affinity with Swansea as he did with Llanarthne. Sunny apparently strongly encouraged him to take this career step once the opportunity presented itself, this despite Sunny's reported deep apathy towards politics and general apoliticism.
At the age of 23, Basil Miller was elected MP for Swansea West with a larger than expected majority. Initially it was thought that the seat would be on the edge between Labour and the Liberal Democrats. However, in the end, Basil won the seat with a majority of over 2,300, which while being half the majority Williams achieved in 2005, was much better than expected. Following this surprisingly strong result, the runner-up, Liberal Democrat candidate Peter May, warmly congratulated Basil for the result. The election was also notable for havin the Father of the House be succeeded by the new Baby of the House. Basil was the youngest member of the House since Charles Kennedy in 1983. Basil and Kennedy apparently had a very warm relationship and, despite being from different parties, Kennedy was one of Basil's closest parliamentary friends. It is said that their senses of humour complimented each other.
With friends seemingly to be found at every corner, Basil's political career began in earnest with hope and optimism.
2010 Election result for Basil
Sorry about the format, it doesn't translate super well on here.
