Forget the usual political heavyweights – this May, it’s the battle of the heartthrobs as two of Britain’s most photogenic candidates step into the political ring.
In one corner stands Carl Cashman, the chiselled, clean-cut leader of the Liverpool Liberal Democrats, already turning heads across Merseyside with his youthful energy and good looks.
In the other? None other than Luke Campbell MBE – Olympic boxing champion turned political hopeful – stepping into the electoral ring for Reform UK in Hull & East Yorkshire.
Although both men have been keenly doorstepping their local constituents to gain momentum for their policies ahead of the election – social media users have been quick to comment on their stunning looks.
One user said: ‘If all scousers are like Carl, I’ll need to think seriously about moving from London to Liverpool.’
Another added: ‘I know there is a civil war or whatever nut you’re very good looking.’
Wile a third put it bluntly: ‘You are very good looking.’
Luke gets similar praise for his natural good-looks. One fan wrote:’Return of the alpha male to politics. Brilliant. Keep going Luke.’
A second chimed in: ‘What a boy.’
Another shouted: ‘Come on our golden boy! A local lad who hasn’t had it handed to him on a plate such a down to earth relatable bloke.’
Luke grew up in Hull and now lives in East Riding. His background is working-class to the core – his dad was a factory worker, his mum worked in care, helping vulnerable children.
Now married with a family of his own, who he said are his rock: ‘They keep me grounded. They support me in everything I do.’
Luke is the first to admit he’s not a politician in the traditional sense.
He told the Beverley Review: ‘I’m not another career politician. I’m connected to the people. I’ve lived the same struggles, and I’ve seen what needs fixing.’
He claimed that he decided to go into politics after watching the country ‘get destroyed by Conservatives and Labour.’
Adding that no one was delivering for places like Hull and East Yorkshire.
Whereas Carl Cashman, 32, has been making waves in Liverpool politics since his election as leader of the city’s Liberal Democrat group.
Representing the Church ward in Wavertree, Cashman secured over 50 percent of the vote – a first for the Lib Dems in the area in over 13 years.
He’s certainly upped the glamour stakes for the Lib Dems, with his Instagram-worthy snaps from local community events and a surprisingly fierce sneaker game.
He has even already faced some controversy after he was speaking at a pro-Palestine rally on April 24 and got booed off stage.
After only a few moments of speaking he was booed and forced to leave the stage by a ‘small minority with disgusting views’ who disagreed with his decision to criticise Hamas.
Speaking to , Mr Cashman has slammed those demonstrators for preventing him from speaking and defianantly said: ‘I’m not going to back down.’
In the footage posted to X, formerly Twitter, Mr Cashman can be seen speaking at the rally in Liverpool city centre. He said: ‘While we condemn the actions of the Netanyahu government, let us also condemn the actions of Hamas on October 7.’
Before he can carry on, murmurs and booes from the crowd grow louder until the 32-year-old is unable to speak and has to stop.
A number of people watching his speech then begin to chant ‘resistance is justified’ – a slogan used by some pro-Palestine demonstrator as justification for the October 7 terrorist attacks which killed more than 1,100 Israeli citizens.
Mr Cashman then has to leave the stage and he makes his way from the crowd.
Speaking to , Mr Cashman said this was the first time he had been asked to speak at a pro-Palestine rally and how he he had hoped it was opportunity to put forward more moderate positions.