Eddie Izzard has announced her plan to become Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion.
The 61-year-old actor and comedian has thrown her hat into the ring for the East Sussex constituency, well before the party has begun its selections process to find its next parliamentary hopeful.
Izzard – who identifies as a gender-fluid trans woman – described Brighton as a city “at the forefront of change” and believes she can continue making that change if she is selected.
“Running marathons, making money for great causes and campaigning in more than 125 constituencies has taught me to turn struggles into success,” Izzard said in an announcement on her website.
“I’m just the latest of over 200 years of Izzards in East Sussex. I grew up in this county and I’m proud of my roots. Labour needs a candidate that can inspire many thousands to become our friends and allies in the fight for a fairer, greener and cleaner planet.”
Izzard was unsuccessful last year in her bid to become Labour’s candidate for Sheffield Central.
A senior Labour figure noted their admiration for Izzard in her determination to become a Labour MP, and that of journalist Paul Mason, who also initially made a bid for Sheffield Central. But they suggested their “high profiles” would be of better use “campaigning with the Labour party outside of Westminster”. They said: “Izzard has such a status, would she have the time to campaign for all of her constituents?”
Izzard would become Labour’s first transgender MP if she is selected and then goes on to win the seat, which is currently held by Caroline Lucas for the Green party.
In June, Lucas said she intended to quit parliament at the next election because serving as an MP meant she had struggled to spend time fighting for the environment.
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The Green party has already selected the London Assembly member and former party co-leader Siân Berry as its next candidate.
The Liberal Democrats said they would begin the selection process for their candidate in September.