HERE it is: the first picture of the leader of York's newest political force.

Dynamic, potent, tireless - just three of the words that don't apply to the Rt Hon Sydney Couch Potato, chief procrastinator of the York Apathy Party.

Since we featured his clarion call to the citizenry, urging them to "take no notice", scores of voters have rung him to register their intention never to join.

Building on such a terrific lack of response, it is his (entirely serious) plan to have Apathy Party members contesting the next City of York Council elections. He proposes to field 23 candidates. All in the same ward.

They will challenge deputy council leader Andrew Waller (known to apathy acolytes as Chippy Chipmunk) in Westfield.

If the votes cast for the 23 candidates add up to more than those cast for Coun Waller, Sydney plans to demand that the electoral commission authorises their right to collectively represent the seat.

To prepare to induce mass apathy in Westfield, Sydney has formed a war cabinet. He is the leader, with "special responsibilities for the relocation of Chippy Chipmunk".

The First Lady of Apathy, his reclusive millionaire wife, Agnes Klud (National Association of Cat Neuterers), is shadow chancellor for apathetic finance.

Elvis Hashbrown Lard is shadow minister for deposits (not in any way a reference to Eddie Vee's failure to raise the £500 deposit needed to stand in the General Election).

The shadow minister for inconsistent incontinence is Winston Senekot III; and Sir Rodney Lounge Lizard is cat-napping co-ordinator during meetings.

WHILE they develop policy, there is a chance for others to take part in workshops organised by the YAPs.

These include Living With Gout In A Laissez-Faire Society. Gout, says Sydney, is a springboard to apathy. Or you can attend the debate Does Alternative Medicine Have Any Effect On Genetically Modified Scabies?

To try and turn the Apathy Party into a mass non-movement, it will stage the first Sit On Your Arse Day in spring. Times and venues to follow, if they can be bothered.

FINALLY a word about fashion. As readers can see, Sydney Couch Potato has been the subject of a rigorous makeover by style experts.

Combining the two trademarks of the intellectual, the baseball cap and the hoodie, he is also careful to regularly refresh the beer stain on his T-shirt.

"In the Apathy Party, we take a pride in our image," he said.

Updated: 11:04 Monday, October 03, 2005