Let's start off Saturday afternoon with something stupid but fun.

British politicians as Jane Austen characters: a thread

Boris Johnson: John Thorpe (Northanger Abbey)

A vain, reckless, selfish, sexist bully. Will make up anything to satisfy his desire to be liked without actually having to do anything good.

Keir Starmer: Colonel Brandon (Sense and Sensibility)

Reserved, thoughtful, and sometimes thought a little dull, but also deeply compassionate. Able to win trust and listen to others. I think Keir also has a bit of Elinor Dashwood in him.

Theresa May: Lady Catherine de Bourgh (Pride and Prejudice)

Cold, hard and unlikeable. Her privilege allows her to be cruel to those she considers below her with no consequence.

Jeremy Corbyn: George Knightley (Emma)

Arguably a little boring in his insistence on the moral high ground, but he's loving, caring, and down to earth, and ultimately Emma (and everyone else) wishes they saw his value earlier. Likes a bit of gardening too.

Rishi Sunak: John Willoughby (Sense and Sensibility)

Initially loved and seen as a hero, but has a murky past and doesn't keep his promises.

Michael Gove: Mr Collins (Pride and Prejudice)

Odious and repellent. Serious issues with consent. No matter how many times you think he's gone away, he just keeps coming back.

Priti Patel: Isabella Thorpe (Northanger Abbey)

She is quite toxic, manipulative and selfish. Various men find her attractive but it's unclear whether this is because or in spite of this. Friendships mean nothing to her.

Matt Hancock: Edmund Bertram (Mansfield Park)

A bit insipid and difficult to like. Lives his life with strict self imposed rules, but - as is clear with his attitude to the play - is also very much not afraid of imposing rules on other people.

Dominic Raab: Robert Ferrars (Sense and Sensibility)

Not the most exciting character but selfish, arrogant and a bit thick. Lucy Steele (like Dominic's cabinet position) is probably a bit too good for him.

Nicola Sturgeon: Anne Elliot (Persuasion)

Has issues with the rejection of proposals in the past, but works hard to overcome them and get a better result second time round. Smart and kind, very hard not to like.

Angela Rayner: Catherine Morland (Northanger Abbey)

A lovable romantic and a dreamer. She might not come from the most exceptional background but she loves to learn and eventually gets the recognition she deserves.

Nigel Farage: Sir Walter Elliot (Persuasion)

Embarrassingly obsessed with his heritage and history, which basically just means he likes remembering that's he's rich. Also entirely lacking in self awareness. Has probably never once looked in a mirror and been disappointed.

Gavin Williamson: John Dashwood (Sense and Sensibility)

Weak, selfish and desperately dense. His treatment of Elinor, Marianne, Margaret and their mother just shows his disregard for what is due to young, disadvantaged people.

Ed Miliband: Captain Benwick (Persuasion)

Has suffered huge loss in the past, but - as Louisa discovers during her recovery - is still kind, gentle and caring.

Lisa Nandy: Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice)

Everyone's favourite character. Talented, funny, intelligent and generally awesome. Notable for being a very polished speaker even in moments of stress or pressure.

Emily Thornberry: Mary Crawford (Mansfield Park)

She says what she thinks, and it might not make everyone happy but she usually talks sense. Definitely someone you'd go for a drink with.

Disclaimers:

I love the books but haven't seen many Austen adaptations, so sorry if the pictures are a bit random. And obviously Austen's characters are far more complex and well realised than this!