In a largely anticipated announcement, hedgehogs have voted almost unanimously to form their own Parliament.
The hedgehogs intend to model their parliament on the Isle of Man "Tynwald" system, which is over 1,000 years old, shunning more modern parliamentary styles, dismissing them as 'unhedgehoglike'.
The spiny milk-drinking critters have been trying to establish a democratic system for years. Their luck finally came in last year, however, when it was awarded a substantial amount from the hedgehog Lottery Fund which has enabled them to at last achieve their goal.
The first session of the hedgehog parliament is expected to commence early next month.
