Ed is the real deal

You might be forgiven for thinking that celebrities would vote Conservative given that they are up there with the country’s top earners, paying the highest tax.

However many celebrities from Ben Elton to Tinie Tempah have come out in support of Labour and with ‘I’m a Milifan’ going viral it seems Ed is the coolest party leader in this general election.

Lost generation

Working geek chic, unapologetic for his strong values and the youngest ever Labour leader, he seems to have inspired a lost generation of voters through his willingness to listen to and be open with celebrities, who young people look up to.

His interview with comedian Russell Brand showed him as a down to earth and passionate man who believes in power for the working classes and putting the equality back in the Britain.

High profile celebrities like Fargo actor Martin Freeman and comedian Steve Coogan have gone as far as making films in support of the party for social media. Freeman did a simple yet affecting piece to camera on his values being Labour, for a recent party election broadcast.

Actor Ross Kemp has been out campaigning in Thanet South. The former EastEnders star, who played hardman Grant Mitchell in the BBC soap, turned out to promote Labour’s Will Scobie.

Kemp also stars in Labour’s final broadcast where he says, “It only takes around 60 seconds to cast your vote in the polling station. 60 seconds to protect the economy, 60 seconds to protect your jobs, 60 seconds to protect the services your family relies on. A lot is at stake during those 60 seconds. Be careful. If you get into bed with Nick Clegg you might just wake up with David Cameron.”

Ed’s celebrity support does not end there. Lord Sugar, is a Labour peer in the House of Lords, Broadchurch and Doctor Who star David Tennant has also recorded party political broadcasts for the Labour Party.

Five times snooker champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has appeared in a video alongside Ed playing pool. Robert Webb, star of Channel 4’s Peep Show rejoined the party in 2013 to campaign to save Sure Start centres.

Physicist and subject of Oscar-winning film The Theory of Everything, Stephen Hawking, said about the NHS, “We must retain this critical public service, and prevent the establishment of a two-tier system, with the best medicine for the wealthy, and an inferior service for the rest.”

Speaks for what I believe in

JK Rowling, Harry Potter author and the film’s star Daniel Radcliffe are also supporters with Radcliffe switching allegiance from Lib Dems to Labour in 2010. He said about Ed Miliband, “I really like him and he speaks for what I believe in. I think he’s genuine.”

Former Corrie barmaid Sally Lindsey said, “It makes me sick that people are having to use foodbanks because they can’t afford to eat.” She also supported Labour’s pledge to end zero hours contracts. “That’s why I’m voting Labour. That’s why I support Ed,” she added.

Other high profile Labour supporters include Countdown host Nick Hewer, QI team captain Alan Davies, comedian and Room 101 host Frank Skinner, celebrity chef Delia Smith and Blackadder star Tony Robinson – who was once a member of Labour’s national executive.

QI host Stephen Fry was raised a Tory but says Margaret Thatcher pushed him over to Labour. Singer Paloma Faith said, “I vote Labour and can’t acknowledge anything good that comes from a Tory.”

Lily Allen’s online demo track I Was Born in the 80s attacks the coalition government with the song asking David Cameron, “You’re supposed to be our protector – what about the whole public sector?”

Gavin and Stacey star Matthew Horne, TV presenter Paul O’Grady , Royal Family star Sue Johnston, actor Robson Green and X Factor judge Cheryl Fernadez-Versini are all also in support of Ed and Labour and comedian Jo Brand, who was a psychiatric nurse for 10 years, is a lifelong Labour member.

But probably the most talked about and recent supporter of the 2015 campaign has to be comedian and The Trews – true news – creator and star Russell Brand. He famously said there was no point in voting but has now made a dramatic U turn and come out and endorsed Ed and Labour.

Tories should be worried

The Tories are worried, calling Brand a joke. And so they should be. His YouTube interview with Ed received over a million hits and counting, he’s listened to by hundreds of thousands of fans who subscribe to his videos and he has been at the forefront of the fight against London’s housing crisis and a believer in grassroots campaigns and communities over fatcats.

In fact Brand is pictured supporting housing campaigners, including Unite members.

Most importantly, if Ed can talk an out and proud, disillusioned non-voter like Russell Brand in to becoming a Labour supporter, that is evidence that he connects with the many thousands of Britain’s disillusioned with politics and its dishonest politicians.

Ed can turn this election around because he is the real deal.

Watch the full Trews interview with Ed Miliband here.