And Ed Randall, who proposed the amendment, said the Office for Budget Responsibility, which the government relies on for its economic forecasts, had become a "laughing stock".

BBC: UK Politics

Liberal Democrat candidate Susan Kramer said the public, once enthusiastic for a mayor, had now become cynical and the contest had the potential to make London into a laughing stock.

BBC: Mayor candidates line up for debate

Next came the search for a venue and the landlord of the Ordulph Arms, Andy Coad, was soon roped in so the idea of the Laughing Stock Upstairs at the Ordulph started to become a reality.

BBC: Why comedy night is a laughing matter for Tavistock