Earthworm Voted UK Invertebrate Of The Year, With Sunak Placing 7th

The earthworm (lumbricus terrestris) took a wapping 38% of the popular vote in the Guardian’s 2024 invertebrate of the year contest, while Rishi Sunak’s approval rating hits record lows. The incumbent PM placed 7th, lagging behind the horseshoe crab, and narrowly pipping the humble tapeworm. 

Biologist and entomologist, Dr Alison Browning, noted that, “For a cold, slimy, creature associated with a kind of mute, spinelessness to receive public recognition is a big deal, not to mention that this might be his last few days in office.” Nonetheless, she was unsurprised with the final results, since earthworms — unlike Sunak — are vital for producing the food we eat and easing the impacts of extreme weather.

Unfortunately, earthworms are under threat from multiple sources including intensive land use, pesticides, climate change and pollution. In this regard, 10 Downing Street’s agricultural  and environmental policy clearly reflect the Prime Minister’s ambitions to eliminate the competition. 

At press time, the PM commented that he feels, “disappointed, but hopeful for next year”.