It's a busy day for Katja Tervonen. She's Santa's Head Elf at his Main Post Office in Lapland, Finland. Between now and Christmas, 30,000 letters will arrive daily from 200 countries, with requests, greetings and questions for the jolly man in the red suit.¹

Today is Santa's List Day, when he puts together his list of nice and naughty children.² Good kids get presents. Top of lists this year: a Barbie in a cup and LEGO Hogwarts.³ But according to tradition, wicked boys and girls can expect nothing but a lump of coal.

This myth has origins in European medieval folklore. A kindly Saint Nicholas gave gifts, and a horned beast called Krampus punished the ill-behaved. Nicholas was a 4th-Century bishop famous for secret gift-giving. Krampus has paganSpiritual beliefs other than those of the main or recognised religions. Often used in a historical context. pre-Christian roots.

In 1823, the American writer Clement Clarke Moore wrote A Visit from St. Nicholas. The poem turned the medieval saint into a "jolly old elf" with a sleigh and eight reindeer. Its first line: "'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house..."⁴

Two centuries later, he has moved into politics. Last year, a man named Santa Claus ran for Congress. In 2005, Thomas O'Connor grew a beard, changed his name and moved to North Pole, Alaska. On the city council, he campaigned for child welfare and democratic socialismA kind of economy in which industry is owned in common, not by individuals..⁵

But Republicans think the real Kris Kringle​A US name for Father Christmas. would vote for them. His core values of hard work, accountability and rewards based on merit are traditionally associated with right-wing individualismThe political philosophy that values the rights of the individual over society. It is a key idea in liberal democracies and modern capitalism..

"He's a straight, white, older male running a ruralRelating to the countryside rather than the town., non-unionised, faith-based small business," says Republican lobbyist Bruce Mehlman.⁶ "It don't get much more Republican than that!"

The conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh disagreed.⁷ "In a nation of children," he said, "Santa Claus wins." He accused Democratic President Barack Obama of behaving like Father Christmas, showering voters with presents instead of rewarding "hard work".

And leftwing politicians have embraced Saint Nick. Jeremy Corbyn donnedWore. the red coat to hand out mince pies on national television.⁸ An opinion poll found the UK thought Santa would vote Green and have kept the country in the European Union.⁹

Is his suit a clue to his politics? The red flag is a symbol worldwide of socialism and communismThe system of organising society so that all property is owned by the community and everyone receives things according to their needs. . The Labour Party anthem is The Red Flag, often sung to the tune of "O Christmas Tree". But in the US, red is now associated with the conservative Republican party.

And for a century, Santa has been selling sugary drinks for the Coca-Cola Company. The success of Haddon Sundblom's 1930s adverts has created the myth that Coke made Santa red. In fact, the 1860s cartoonist Thomas Nast chose the colour and made Kris Kringle a defender of the Union in the American Civil WarA war fought from 1861 to 1865 between the slave states of the South and the free states of the North, after the former seceded from the Union..¹⁰

So, after he has finished delivering presents this Christmas, Santa may look to 2024: A US presidential election and (almost certainly) a UK general election. Every vote counts and politicians of all colours will have Santa on their list.

Yes: Father Christmas cares for all children, rich or poor. He gives away presents for nothing in return. He travels by eco-friendly reindeer-powered sleigh and wishes a Merry Christmas to one and all.

No: Santa is a Tory. He believes in tradition and family values. He runs a multinational business from his tax haven at the North Pole, exploiting cheap elf labour to undercut local myths and legends.

Or... Like the King, Santa must be politically neutral. Prime ministers come and go, but Santa goes on delivering presents. Besides, as a North Pole resident, it is unclear whether he is eligible to vote.