Ali G’s return sparks requires Staines to ‘huge up themselves’ and construct statue
The return of Ali G has sparked calls for a “permanent landmark” like a statue or street name in his hometown of Staines. Residents in the Surrey town are being urged to ‘big up themselves’ and embrace their connection with the fictional character.
Officials will now have to discuss celebrating the comic figure, the creation of Sacha Baron Cohen, ahead of the release of his new film ‘Ali G: Who Iz I?’ in October. It comes after a petition calling for them to embrace the connection crossed the crucial 300 signatures threshold earlier this week. Supporters reckon the town should cash in on it.
Alex Balkin, a resident and petition organiser, told the Daily Star: “We aren’t just saying ‘we want a statue’.
Staines-upon-Thames just needs to ’embrace the joke’
“Maybe it could begin with a bit of an event in the high street, or a public viewing of the film in a park. Then we might look at having a permanent landmark somewhere.
“I’m aware some of the older residents of Staines might have some issues with having their town ‘associated with a gangster’ – but obviously the character of Ali G isn’t anything like that at all.
“It’s all about hopefully getting some money into the economy and having some fun while we’re at it. Some people have got in touch with their ideas and even suggested they call a street ‘Ali G Street.’”
A new Ali G film is on its way
He only gets three minutes to speak to councillors on September 8 to convince them to take the petition to the next level. But he insisted he’s “optimistic” about winning them round. The character of Ali G often claims Staines as his fictional hometown and the headquarters of his street gang, the ‘West Staines Massive’.
But in an attempt to distance themselves from the joke, Staines officially became ‘Staines-upon-Thames’ in 2012. Spelthorne Borough Council confirmed to the Daily Star it was “aware of the petition”.
A spokesperson said: “The petition has received enough responses to meet the threshold for consideration by Councillors at Committee.” Representatives for the comic behind Ali G failed to respond to a request for comment.
