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Theresa May breaking into dance (again) while in Nairobi.
Theresa May breaking into dance (again) while in Nairobi. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA
Theresa May breaking into dance (again) while in Nairobi. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA

Can anyone out-dance Theresa May? The greatest movers in politics – ranked!

This article is more than 5 years old

After Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Republican-silencing moves, here’s our ultimate list of dancing politicians

Having busted a move not once, but twice, on her African trip last year, the prime minister, Theresa May, has thrown a spotlight on that most enchanting of traditions: politicians dancing. In honour of her performances, here we present our definitive list of dancing politicians – ranked.

10. Margaret Thatcher

One of the most divisive figures in recent British political history, we can at least probably all agree that when called upon to dance in public, the Iron Lady danced passably, if in a slightly uninspired fashion. It seems that occasionally the lady was for turning, although a twirl seemed to have been deemed a step too far.

Margaret Thatcher showing Theresa May how it is done.

9. Neil Kinnock

The same could not be said of Neil Kinnock. When not falling over on beaches, Labour’s leader during many of the Thatcher years could sometimes be found starring in pop videos. Here he is, inexplicably making a cameo in the video for My Guy by Tracey Ullman, who equally inexplicably managed to rack up three top 10 hit singles in 1983.

Neil Kinnock appearing in a Tracey Ullman video, although nobdoy knows quite why.

8. John Prescott

At the height of the New Labour years, when not throwing punches, John Prescott could frequently be seen having a dance at Labour party conference. Here he is making shapes alongside a brass band and the Blairs – much, it appears, to the disdain of Gordon Brown lurking in the background.

John Prescott and the New Labour gang cutting some rug.

7. John Redwood

Not so much a dance as a sort of baffled nod and slight sway, ultra-Brexiteer John Redwood’s highlight in office was his attempt to sing along to the Welsh national anthem, and the confused physical motion that went with it.

John Redwood’s Welsh national anthem moment.

6. Ann Widdecombe

Trailblazer Ann Widdecombe made a Strictly Come Dancing appearance a viable career option for an ex-politician in 2010. She managed to be the lowest-scoring celebrity in seven of the 10 weeks that she lasted in the competition, but the public kept voting her back for more. Her signature move was to essentially lurk at the back of the stage while Anton du Beke tried to distract the judges by actually dancing.

Ann Widdecombe bring new meaning to the concept of dancing.

5. David Cameron and Boris Johnson

The Tory dream ticket, or your worst nightmare? Either way David and Boris appeared as a dancing double act as they joined forces to bop along enthusiastically to the Spice Girls at the 2012 London Olympic closing ceremony.

4. Neil Hamilton

In between resigning in disgrace and reinventing himself as the Welsh Ukip assembly member who likes to hang around with alt-right internet trolls who’ve taught him phrases such as “triggered” and “truly dank memes”, Neil Hamilton had to make a living. And at one point he made that living by dancing on TV in a glass box for Johnny Vegas while someone poured a bucket of fish over him.

Disgraced former MP Neil Hamilton has fish poured over him for laughs on TV, while planning his political comeback. Truly dank.

3. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Despite repeated Republican attempts to humiliate her, the youngest ever US congresswoman still has an indefatigable sense of humour, and dance moves! After an anonymous Twitter user posted a video showing Ocasio-Cortez boogying during college, the 29-year-old reprised some old steps outside her office on Capitol Hill, tweeting: “I hear the GOP thinks women dancing are scandalous. Wait till they find out Congresswomen dance too!” Cue further mock horror.

'Congresswomen dance too': Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hits back with new video

2. Ed Balls

Ed Balls woke up on 7 May 2015 hoping by the end of the night to be chancellor of the exchequer. Instead, by the end of the night he was no longer an MP and just 16 months away from being Strictly Come Dancing’s novelty political contestant. Who can forget the sight of the former shadow chancellor dancing to Gangnam Style on the nation’s television sets? But probably his finest hour was an exquisitely camp salsa, while dressed as The Mask. Dance partner Katya Jones maintained her grace throughout the 10 weeks Ed survived on the show.

Ed Balls & Katya Jones Samba to ‘Cuban Pete’.

1. Theresa May

We have to hand top spot to Theresa. She went to Africa to boost post-Brexit British exports, and exported a whole load of dance memes. Since she first danced at a South African school, the video clip has been posted thousands of times on social media. Post-punk band Killing Joke even made a version soundtracked with their I Am The Virus single, and it has been re-cut by others, in honour of her Maybot reputation, so that she’s dancing to Kraftwerk’s The Robots. Congratulations, Theresa May. And maybe we’ll eventually get to see her on Strictly once she’s had enough of trying to steer the country through Brexit …

Theresa May dances (again) as she wraps up Africa trip – video

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