From Pop Stars to Podiums: Celebrities Seeking Seats in UK Parliament

From rock bands to reality TV and Olympic glory: Celebrities eyeing parliamentary seats

Dave Rowntree of Blur, ex-Gogglebox personality Josh Tapper, and Olympic gold-winning rower James Cracknell are some of the well-known individuals aiming to be elected as the UK’s future MPs.

Thursday, May 23, 2024, 4:

Election season isn't only for career politicians to step into the spotlight.

The upcoming general election, set for July, features several familiar figures from various backgrounds.

Numerous individuals from the realms of show business and athletics have made the leap into political life. Among them, acclaimed actress Glenda Jackson, who passed away, successfully ran for a Labour parliamentary seat in the 1992 elections, and television host Gyles Brandreth, who secured a position for the Conservative Party.

Before becoming president in 2019, Volodymyr Zelenskyy was recognized for his work as a comedian and actor in Ukraine.

Several fresh faces are aiming to secure parliamentary seats in the upcoming July elections, while one individual has withdrawn from the race after a brief eight-day campaign.

Dave Rowntree

The percussionist from Blur has been chosen to represent the Labour Party in the traditionally Conservative stronghold of Mid Sussex, aiming to secure a Labour victory there for the first time.

The electoral district, which includes Burgess Hill, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath, and the surrounding villages in Mid Sussex, is presently served by Mims Davies.

Although widely recognized for his achievements with the band Blur, Rowntree has also ventured into politics. In May 2017, he was successfully elected as a Labour county councillor for the University ward in Norfolk, a position he held until stepping down in 2021.

He ran as the Labour Party's candidate for Parliament representing the Cities of London and Westminster in 2021, but did not win.

"Rowntree declared that the Conservatives lack new ideas and the Liberal Democrats lack momentum," upon the revelation of his newest campaign for office. "I am entering the parliamentary race to bring the necessary vigor and insight that our region is in dire need of."

Blur made a triumphant comeback last year, headlining at Wembley and climbing to the top of the charts with their ninth studio album, titled "The Ballad Of Darren."

James Cracknell

In 2022, it was revealed that James Cracknell, a gold medal-winning Olympic rower, was selected to represent the Conservative Party in Colchester in the upcoming general election.

Famed for his achievements in rowing, he secured gold medals in the coxless fours at both the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, competing with other notable British athletes such as Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent.

In 2010, he sustained a severe brain injury following a cycling accident in the United States, an event that altered his personality and resulted in epilepsy. Despite these challenges, he made an impressive comeback to rowing in 2019, securing a victory in the university boat race with Cambridge. That year, he also participated in the television show Strictly Come Dancing.

Cracknell was previously considered a possible Conservative candidate and ran for a position as an MEP representing the party in Southwest England in 2014.

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He aims to succeed Will Quince as the Member of Parliament for Colchester, a seat where the Conservatives hold a 9,000-vote lead over Labour, following Quince's decision to step down.

On his website, he shares, "Being an athlete has shown me the importance of defining personal goals and defying the skeptics as I pursue them. I'm eager to inspire others to believe in themselves. We all possess greater potential, resilience, and determination than we often acknowledge. It’s time to support ourselves."

He faces competition from historian Pam Cox, who is the Labour candidate.

Tom Gray

Tom Gray, known both for his musical talents and activism, has earned a Mercury Prize and helped establish the indie rock group Gomez. He has also composed music for television and stage productions.

He is a co-founder of the Broken Record initiative, which advocates for improved standards in streaming, and serves as the chair of the Ivors Academy, the professional body representing songwriters and composers.

He has been recognized for his dedication to Labour activism, and in December, it was revealed that he was selected as the party's candidate for the Brighton Pavilion constituency, surpassing comedian and actor Eddie Izzard, who had also sought the nomination.

The Labour Party is aiming to reclaim the Brighton Pavilion seat for the first time since 2005 following the announcement by Green MP Caroline Lucas that she will not seek re-election.

Josh Tapper

Josh Tapper, once a familiar face on the show Gogglebox, has been chosen by the Labour Party to compete against Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden for the parliamentary seat in Hertsmere, Hertfordshire, in the upcoming general election.

Mr. Dowden has occupied the position since 2015 and enjoys a substantial majority of 21,000 votes.

Amid recent by-elections where the Tories have been defeated in their strongholds, Tapper is optimistic about sparking a shift.

"I'm incredibly excited and privileged to be chosen as Labour's parliamentary candidate for Hertsmere," he expressed in an earlier statement this year. "A huge thanks to the local members for your bacai-allcreator.com">king – I promise not to disappoint you. The campaign to challenge the deputy prime minister begins immediately!"

Learn more: What are the next steps following the announcement of an election? Discover your updated electoral district and its recent modifications. Explore which members of parliament are retiring.

Tapper made his debut on the popular Channel 4 program Gogglebox alongside his family as a teenager in 2014. He left the show in 2017 to pursue a career in the civil service.

In 2022, he also pursued candidacy for the North London constituency of Chipping Barnet.

He isn't the only Gogglebox personality to transition into the political arena. Andy Michael, who passed away in 2021, featured in the debut episode of the show in 2013. He exited the program after a year to pursue a political career, running as a Uai-allcreator.com">KIP candidate in the general election. Following his unsuccessful campaign in the Hastings and Rye area, his family returned to the show.

Alison Hume

Alison Hume might be a familiar name if you're a fan of British TV. Seen here alongside Tarka, her rescue dog and the face of her advocacy efforts, Hume is known for developing the CBBC series The Sparticle Mystery and the 2005 BBC drama Rocket Man, which featured Robson Green. Her writing credits include the 2008 television movie Summerhill, with Eurovision star Olly Alexander, and the 2002 movie Pure, featuring Keira Knightley.

A labor advocate and activist for disability rights, she is campaigning to become the next MP for Scarborough and Whitby under the Labour & Co-operative Party banner. She aims to succeed Sir Robert Goodwill, who has held the position since defeating Labour in 2005 and is now retiring.

According to York Press, Hume, who is a distinguished alumna of the Jo Cox Leadership training program, is poised to be the constituency's first Labour MP in nearly two decades, as indicated by recent polls.

On her website, she explains, "Entering the political arena was never my plan, but having spent two decades juggling the upbringing of three kids, including one with significant disabilities, alongside a flourishing career in the creative sectors and active involvement in disability advocacy, I somehow found myself here."

"I am committed to tirelessly striving for a future that ensures equal opportunities, invests in our communities, and promotes a more equitable and sustainable environment for both our coastal and rural areas."

A Quick Overview of Monty Panesar

In April, ex-England cricketer Monty Panesar revealed his candidacy for the Workers Party of Britain, led by George Galloway, in the Ealing Southall area of west London.

Panesar, a former England cricketer from 2006 to 2013, planned to compete for a parliamentary seat against the sitting Labour MP Virendra Sharma, who has held the position for 18 years.

In an article for The Telegraph, Panesar expressed his ambition to "one day become prime minister."

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After just over a week, he pulled back his application, explaining that he required additional time to identify a political party that resonates with his personal and political beliefs.

He commented, "I extend my best wishes to The Workers Party, but I am eager to take some time to develop and solidify my political stance to ensure I am fully ready to give my utmost in my next political endeavor."

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