Top 15 searches for politicians in 2012

It's telling that the two most searched for politicians on Yahoo! UK were American in 2012. Re-elected President Barack Obama took the top spot and his Republican rival Mitt Romney finished in second place - clearly showing that the American firmament still fascinates us.

Inching closer to Prime Minister David Cameron, who secured the number three spot this year, was Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. Buoyed by the success of the Olympics, rumours were rife that the biggest character in British politics was poised to launch a leadership bid. It's yet to materialise, but Boris still looms large on Cam's horizon as a very real threat to his premiership.

Louise Mensch's sudden resignation as an MP signalled the end of her political career but not the end of her public one. The chick-lit author, who came fifth, remains a big presence on Twitter and in the media.

Unfortunately for Ed Miliband, he barely made it into the top 15. The Labour leader sat four places below former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair at number thirteen. And as for Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg - he's nowhere to be seen.