To think April Fool's Day came a day early as Eddie Izzard joins the NEC

[Bouledeneige]

Just that really. Surely its ridiculous.

What do they actually know about how real people live?

Unlike those real men of the people from the Bullingdon Club? Or the Union officials who go from one political job to the next whilst claiming to be men of the people (and campaigning against women only lists or equal pay).

There is no reason why celebs can't be effective politicians any more than any other group. Izzard has been active in the Labour movement since before he was famous. I'm disappointed in his recent jumping on the trans political bandwagon when for years he was a stand out voice for gender non conformity but that doesn't mean he can't be effective in politics. Time will tell.

Interesting. I am a fan from a linguistic perspective. He has done great stuff for charity (and really pushed himself in the process). What does he know about ordinary people? As much as an politician, surely?

It really annoys me when people say 'celebrities have done a lot for charity'. If I was rich and famous I would do a lot for charity, and not just because it raises my profile.

Compared to the present POTUS this is no big deal.

Glenda Jackson was a luvvy who didn't know much about real peoples' lives

Yes. But she represented Hampstead and therefore was a really good representative of her consistituents and what they wanted.

I don’t mind Eddie Izzard.

Glenda Jackson is an amazing politician. Just because someone is a celebrity does not mean they do not have a right to be interested and involved in politics. As far as im aware Eddie has been a Labour member for many years. Also as far as im aware he does not consider himself to be a woman. He has says he identifies as 'transgender' but at no point has he claimed to be a 'woman'

He believes he has the right to use women's public toilets regardless of the wishes of women using them.

He also thinks that it is his 'girl genes' that inspire his love of lipstick and high heels.

He can't be that clever despite the four languages.

The question is why did it take this long for her to step down, why wasn't she sacked? It stinks. And who appointed this Izzard guy, or is he some random that just walked in off the street?

He came second in the previous nec election so now the momentum stooge has gone he’s automatically got her place until the next election.

Labour Party = ludicrous clown circus

When he was on Question time around a year ago, he made an utter tit of himself.

What about Cynthia Nixon aka Miranda from SATC running for Governor of New York? And why not? Born in NYC life long activist for public schools and equal opportunities. I want her for president. Why shouldn’t a celeb run?

I love Izzard. This news delights me.

Something has to change in Labour for them to get my next vote. I'm so disillusioned right now that I'd vote for Hacker T. Dog if he was on the ballot paper.

I liked him til he came out with all the ' I'm a lesbian' business.

Oh and the tale he tells about shouting at Femail children in the women's toilets. Entitled dick head. Wearing lipstick doesn't negate his male privilege.

*Glenda Jackson was a luvvy who didn't know much about real peoples' lives

Yes. But she represented Hampstead and therefore was a really good representative of her consistituents and what they wanted.*

Errr Hampstead and Kilburn includes many non-luvvy parts thanks very much and in her last election she won by one of the smallest margins ever (like 7 votes). She's also a complete cow and - funnily enough - pretty anti-semitic (I had a close encounter with her as she was my MP. Couldn't stand her).

Ironically she didn't even live in the constituency (quite unusual for a London MP).

How is GJ anti semitic cos that is a pretty big fucking claim and needs some evidence, otherwise is a calmuny.

I really don't see the big deal

The Labour party just seems a joke to me now.

I was explaining to DH how Eddie is trans and a lesbian now. He was rather bemused.
I loved Eddie and Jeff the God of biscuits but can't take him seriously since he claimed girl genes; became a 'lesbian' and acted like a total brat/prat in Scotland over the referendum campaign.

'If I was rich and famous I would do a lot for charity, and not just because it raises my profile'

Why do you think they do it to raise their profile? Because some declare they do it, just like you declared you would do it?

Can't bear celebrities getting into politics - seems entitled to me. What do they actually know about how real people live?

Why is it entitled? They pay tax, vote, use public services the same as anyone else does. Yes, the amount of money they may have might mean they have have more options open to them than some people, but lots of non-celebrities also have the money to open up options for themselves.

Eddie Izzard has been involved in politics for a long time - this isn't a fad he has just decided to do for a bit of fun. He has run for similar positions in the past and not won, so his winning this time is unlikely to be because of his celebrity status. The voters on this occasion are labour party members not the audience of a reality TV show, so are likely to be voting for someone who they feel's politics best matches their own.

As for him not seeming very clever.... I'm not sure why that's relevant.

What would you suggest as an alternative? That everyone who wishes to run for a political position has to first sit some exams and can't earn over X amount? That's hardly democracy in action.

(And no I'm not on the same page as him politically and wouldn't vote for him for that reason)

how real people live

Also, I hate this phrase. People living on benefits in a damp-filled council high-rise flat are real people. Middle class families struggling to balance work, childcare and paying the mortgage are real people. People who are uber-rich and trying to avoid paying tax are real people. Everyone is a real person. Everyone has different issues. Very few people (if anyone) fully knows and understands how all real people live.