AI-Generated Satire Takes Aim at Westminster
A new wave of political satire, powered by artificial intelligence, is captivating online audiences and challenging traditional formats like Spitting Image. A Facebook page called the Crewkerne Gazette has gone viral in recent days for its series of videos that use AI technology to create humorous and often biting portrayals of prominent politicians.
The page's content, which emerged into the spotlight around Saturday 29 November 2025, has featured a rapping Kemi Badenoch and a sketch with Rachel Reeves advertising leaky storage containers. In a particularly notable clip, the creators satirised Sky's political editor Beth Rigby and her interview with the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer.
The Minds Behind the Viral Sensation
Speaking anonymously to Sky's Politics Hub with Darren McCaffrey, one of the individuals behind the project explained their motivation. While acknowledging comparisons to Spitting Image, the creator argued that their work is a modern evolution. "We are the new and improved Spitting Image, the much better Have I Got News For You?" he claimed.
He suggested that established satire shows have failed to connect with a younger demographic, a gap his team's output is successfully filling. This is seen as increasingly important as the Labour government moves to lower the voting age, engaging a new generation of voters through a medium they understand.
Anonymity and Concerns Over Free Speech
The decision to remain anonymous was a key point of the discussion. The creator, referred to as "Crewkerne Man", insisted the project is about the content, not the individuals behind it. However, he also cited safety concerns, pointing to a perceived chilling effect on free speech in the UK.
"We just never know where the Labour Party is going to drive the policy next, in regards to free speech," he stated, specifically referencing arrests involving comedians and the case of Graham Linehan. "So for me, certainly it's a matter of safety."
The viral success of the Crewkerne Gazette signals a significant shift in the landscape of political commentary. As AI technology becomes more accessible and sophisticated, it is poised to become a dominant force in satire, offering a new, potent, and sometimes controversial way to hold power to account.
