A Vote Saxon poster in Cardiff. (TV: Captain Jack Harkness)
Vote Saxon was the, ultimately successful, campaign made by the Saxon Master to become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in an election held in 2008.
History[]
Appearing on Earth just after the downfall of British Prime Minister Harriet Jones, (TV: The Sound of Drums) which was brought about the Tenth Doctor following the Sycorax invasion of Earth on 25 December 2006, (TV: The Christmas Invasion) the Saxon Master quickly infiltrated the British government by fabricating the identity of Harold Saxon. At the same time, the Archangel Network of fifteen satellites was launched by the Master, already a minister. Ostensibly a mobile phone network, Archangel was used by the Master to influence the human population of Earth, first to believe the story of "Harold Saxon", then to "Vote Saxon", as well as preventing the Doctor from sensing him as another Time Lord on Earth. However, the Master later conceded that only "99" or "98" percent of people were successfully influenced. (TV: The Sound of Drums)
After March 2007, Saxon was reported by The Daily Telegraph newspaper as leading polls with 64% during a state of "government paralysis". (TV: Love & Monsters) In light of the downfall of Harriet Jones, an election was called to decide the next Prime Minister. The Master put forward his bid for Prime Minister, beginning the "Vote Saxon" campaign, (TV: The Sound of Drums) with posters appearing from London to Cardiff (TV: Captain Jack Harkness, Smith and Jones) while websites were established to cover Harold Saxon. Among the people who backed him were Ann Widdecombe, Sharon Osbourne and the band McFly. (TV: The Sound of Drums)
Among those who were influenced by Archangel was Martha Jones, who had intended to vote for "Saxon", despite being ignorant of his policies and what he stood for. Jack Harkness also showed signs of influence. (TV: The Sound of Drums)
On election day, (TV: 42) as the votes "[swang]" in "Saxon's" favour, many members of his rivals' cabinet abandoned their political parties and jumped on "the Saxon bandwagon". (TV: The Sound of Drums)
Ultimately, the Master won the election, which led to the Toclafane invasion. (TV: The Sound of Drums)
Behind the scenes[]
"Vote Saxon" as seen on a BBC One trailer.
- "Vote Saxon" imagery was used in the promotion of Series 3 of Doctor Who, broadcast on BBC One.
- The exact nature of "Harold Saxon's" political party are not elaborated on, with only the reference that his cabinet "abandoned [their] parties and [they] jumped on the Saxon bandwagon".
- The in-universe website haroldsaxon.co.uk contains more details:
Leaders of all three major parties - and even some Scottish Nationalists - defected to his banner of unity, bringing most of their parties with them. All that remains of those once august institutions are a few old soldiers, unable to change with the times and clinging to past glories. The rest of us look forward to a more effective and efficient government.
