I’ve grown a beard now I’m a Liberal Democrat says traditional Labour man Steve Coogan as he sports a ‘tactical voting’ badge at south-coast rally
- The Alan Partridge star was canvassing the streets of Lewes in East Sussex
- He joked he had grown a beard to be more like a liberal but only for the campaign
- Coogan said he will visit other constituencies to urge people to vote Labour
Comedian Steve Coogan sported a ‘tactical voting vital’ sticker as he took to the streets of his local constituency.
The Alan Partridge star was canvassing the streets of Lewes in East Sussex with Liberal Democrat candidate Oliver Henman today in a bid to unseat the Conservatives.
He joked that he had grown a beard to be more like a liberal, but said it is only for the campaign.
Comedian Steve Coogan (right) was canvassing the streets of Lewes in East Sussex with Liberal Democrat candidate Oliver Henman (left) today in a bid to unseat the Conservatives
The Alan Partridge star went around the streets canvassing with Mr Henman, speaking to shoppers, knocking on doors and occasionally stopping for selfies with fans (pictured)
Tory Maria Caulfield won with a majority of 5,508 in 2017 and people narrowly voted to remain during the 2016 referendum.
Speaking to campaigners, a bearded Coogan said that although he was a ‘traditional Labour supporter’ he would be voting Lib Dem on Thursday because it was the ‘smartest thing to do’.
But Coogan said he will be visiting other constituencies where he would urge people to vote Labour in order to keep the Tories out if they were the main opponent.
Coogan (right) joked that he had grown a beard to be more like a liberal, but said it is only for the campaign
Speaking to campaigners, a bearded Coogan said that although he was a ‘traditional Labour supporter’ he would be voting Lib Dem on Thursday because it was the ‘smartest thing to do’
He added: ‘It’s such a crucial issue facing the nation.
‘The most important thing across the country is to defeat the Tories by any means necessary. It’s about being smart and boxing clever.’
Coogan went around the streets canvassing with Mr Henman, speaking to shoppers, knocking on doors and occasionally stopping for selfies with fans.
Coogan said he will be visiting other constituencies where he would urge people to vote Labour in order to keep the Tories out if they were the main opponent
Coogan sported a ‘tactical voting vital’ sticker (pictured) as he took to the streets of his local constituency
Earlier this week, Coogan was among 40 figures who signed a letter in the Guardian accusing Prime Minister Boris Johnson of offering ‘dog-whistle politics’.
The letter also praised Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s ‘transformative plan that prioritises the needs of people and the planet over private profit’.
The signatories included author Noam Chomsky, film director Ken Loach, the band Massive Attack, poet Michael Rosen, and rapper Kane ‘Kano’ Robinson.
They added: ‘In the UK, Labour’s election manifesto under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership offers a transformative plan that prioritises the needs of people and the planet over private profit and the vested interests of a few.
‘Boris Johnson’s Conservatives have nothing to offer but the prospect of an ever more unequal and divided society, and dog-whistle politics.’
The Liberal Democrat candidate for Finchley and Golders Green Luciana Berger also had some celebrity endorsement for her campaign, in the form of Harry Potter actor Jason Isaacs.
The pair were pictured out on the streets canvassing during a Lib Dem campaign event in Finchley today.
The Liberal Democrat candidate for Finchley and Golders Green Luciana Berger also had some celebrity endorsement for her campaign, in the form of Harry Potter actor Jason Isaacs
Isaacs (centre) and Ms Berger (right) enjoyed some refreshments during the event
Isaacs (left) and Ms Berger were pictured canvassing during a Lib Dem campaign event in Finchley