Eddie Izzard says she will campaign via Zoom while in New York next year if she is selected as Labour’s candidate for Brighton Pavilion.
Labour members are this week voting from a shortlist of four, with a final hustings on Sunday.
Also running are Hove councillor Birgit Miller, Portslade councillor Lucy Helliwell and music rights campaigner Tom Gray in a shortlist made public at the beginning of December.
Ms Izzard announced in July she was playing Hamlet in a one-person show in New York, with the dates of the five-week run from January to MArch and venue officially announced at the end of November.
Today, she told Brighton and Hove News she would cancel the run if the election was called before April – but as people’s jobs depend on it, would otherwise campaign online.
She said: “From the moment I am selected I will be working full time on overturning the 20,000 Green majority in Brighton Pavilion and will be moving to Brighton to make this happen.
“Every single day that I’m the candidate I will be talking to voters via phonebanks, Zoom calls and in person where possible. My campaign is ready to go and to win this seat for Labour.
“The truth is we don’t know when the election will be called, and I didn’t know when the selection process would start when I started developing this production in March 2022.
“I made the Labour Party aware of this when I was interviewed.
“Like all parliamentary candidates, I will still have a day job until the general election, which I’m contractually obliged to deliver.
“The production is being co-produced by a Brighton business who I have worked with for over 25 years and the tour team includes Brighton freelance staff.
“If I pulled out of the production, people would lose their jobs and I’m not prepared to do that. Of course if the election was called in January, February or March I would be back in Brighton as this is my absolute priority.”
She added: “After 35 years of performing on stage, Hamlet will be my last tour before I move into politics.
“I’ve always been transparent with my finances too. I pay full UK tax as well as tax required by the US government. I also declared all my earnings when I was a street performer, so this is something I’ve always been totally transparent about.”
The decision to stand for selection despite a commitment to be out of the country at what could be a crucial time has not impressed some Labour members.
One former councillor, Caroline Penn, tweeted: “I was a councillor in Pavilion and been involved in numerous campaigns and selection.
“You can’t lead a parliamentary campaign if you are in New York for three months, performing your one person show.”
But others are not so concerned. Councillor David McGregor said: “If selected she will have an on the ground team keeping the fight to the Greens while she will do online meetings etc.
“Obviously it isn’t ideal but with Eddie’s name we have a six month head start on name value alone.
“If the general election is called early we will barely be introducing the other candidates, never mind what they stand for. Eddie’s really the only one that could win this for us.”
The play is co-produced by Mick Perrin Worldwide, a talent agency based in High Street, Kemp Town, alongside WestBeth Entertainment and John Gore.
It will be staged at the Greenwich House Theatre.
Online voting amongst members for the candidacy started yesterday, and in-person votes will be cast following a hustings on Sunday.
If he knew anything about Brighton and Hove he would know how furious citizens are by the growing lack of access to their elected representatives from the Town Hall offices being closed to lack of political Surgeries offered.
Moreover he would be excluding a good 40% of potential voters not on Zoom.
Brilliant idea to ensure you are not elected Eddie. Go for it.
There’s certainly a mentality in my local areas around people should be from and regularly live in Brighton to represent them.
Real Man of the People, pledging to buy a house here if he is elected.
Izzard doesn’t give a damn about our city. Purely in it for himself.
Has Berry bought a house here yet?
She may have given up her seat on Camden Council but she’s still standing for the Greater London Authority next year.
Campaigning by Zoom? What are they going to take the laptop door to door? I.m sorry Izzard will not be taking seriously by the electorate. Labour will only get one chance at this and they should have a local name.
Campaign via Zoom? Just indicates how serious he is about the whole thing. He only wants to get in to favour his LGBTQ+ directory friends. Middle aged cross dresser trying to stay relevant. Please just stick to performing bad comedy Eddie.
We need a genuinely local candidate. Not this fly by nighters.
I agree.
Sian Berry needs to be replaced as the Green candidate for that very reason as well.
Earlier this year he tried to get selected in Sheffield and claimed he only wanted a northern seat. Now that Brighton is available he’s trying here. The people of Sheffield Labour Party saw through him and hopefully Brighton Labour will too.
Please just do one.
Eddie’s committed to not laying people off e.g her Brighton crew, but would do so if an early election loomed. Sometimes it is good to show people that there is honour, our have we forgotten that! I hope that Eddie delivers for Brighton, passion, innovation that we’ve not seen before in a politician. I hope Eddie moves to Brighton asap, and also shows an interest in Brighton & Hove Albion. People can have alleigances, and also meet in the middle. Eddie you have my vote!
He’s not been selected as a candidate yet!
Yes, you’re right Chris C. Mind you, If the last election is anything to go by, then my postal vote most probably won’t get there in time. I seem to remember there was a short time frame to return the form.
After foisting two disgraceful charlatan councillors on us at the recent local election Labour need to be very careful parachuting in candidates to meet their agendas rather than the needs of the electorate. A representative who lives here and knows Brighton & Hove really should not be too much to ask.
It’s almost as if candidates should be selected by local party members instead of by party central control 😳
I think letting Eddie Izzard join the shortlist as the Labour candidate for Brighton Pavilion is likely to backfire on the Labour Party. Eddie has baggage and it’s going to be distracting. I think she’s being used, or allowing herself to be used, as a figurehead for the LGBQT community. Most residents don’t see this as their main priority and don’t consider it particularly important. She seems to have many other interests, in the UK and abroad, which will interfere with her ability to represent the area as a committed politician. Her local connections also seem pretty vague. Despite declarations of loyalty to the area she attempted to stand in Sheffield recently, so that doesn’t sound entirely genuine. The only time I’ve seen Eddie in the area is when she was parachuted in for a couple of walkarounds in during the local elections. And, to be frank, I don’t really know whether to call him Eddie, or her Susie, I can’t be bothered with it and I think many people will feel the same way. I just want a dedicated local MP that will concentrate on the important issues.
Totally agree with you David. Brighton needs a local Councillor to address the critical issues that affect each and every resident at basic level (health,safety,policing, cleanliness, housing, schools etc) not just the on trend LGBQT community who Brighton and Hove totally embrace already.
And if he/she hadn’t gushed all over Sheffield residents so recently whilst trying to get a seat up North, I would have had a tad more respect for him/her. It makes his play for B&H seem disingenuous
Hmm. This won’t sit well with many people. I feel that, if chosen, is purely being done on brand power, rather than someone with Brighton’s interests at heart.
Caroline Penn sounds like a bit sour grapes.
If izzard is serious about standing in Brighton he she needs to drop the LGBTQ stuff down the agenda. Most of us want a candidate that will get a grip of what actually matters. Decent rail service, decent funding for the council, better public services. In Brighton I think we are tolerant enough to peoples choices in 2023
Well said mate
You are a good lad
Is this the modern day equivalent of “let them eat cake” ?
Guess Eddie’s twigged he’s not going to chosen
Obviously no interest in representing the local people as would be the job, if they can’t even be bothered to be here to run for the seat let alone live here.