I want to be first trans MP...
Comedian hopes to stand up for Labour
RUN OF THE MILL Eddie on the treadmill
EDDIE Izzard has revealed she wants to run for Parliament – and become the UK’s first transgender MP.
The stand-up star – who has adopted the pronouns “her” and “she” as she wants to be “based in girl mode from now on” – says she would love to be elected.
Eddie, 58, has previously identified as a transvestite, frequently wearing dresses, make-up, heels and jewellery both on and off stage, and once referred to herself as “a lesbian trapped in a man’s body”.
The Labour-backing comedian wants to swap the stage for a seat in Parliament.
Branding Prime Minister Boris Johnson a liar, she told the Sunday Mirror: “I wanted to stand in the last election but a seat wasn’t available – but I am here.
“I have been an activist since 2008, a member of the Labour Party since 1995.
“I wish to stand, I wish to be considered for a constituency, I would love to be elected and I would love to fight for Keir Starmer to be the next Prime Minister.
“I don’t trust Boris Johnson. He has lied upon lied and that is not a good example to our children, to say if you lie enough you can become Prime Minister.”
Eddie, who led calls for Jeremy Corbyn to crack down on anti-Semitism during his leadership, said the fallout from the Covid pandemic has motivated her to run for a seat in the Commons.
She said: “It’s a time of great separation in our country and around the world.
“But no, let’s make connections. In the time of Covid we must learn from each other, we must reach out, not have this
separate thing. A fair chance in life should be the right of every person in the world.”
Runner Eddie was speaking to the Sunday Mirror as part of her challenge to complete 31 marathons then 31 gigs in 31 days to raise funds for Make Humanity Great Again – a selection of charities that Eddie says improves humanity.
Eddie, who is due to complete her final marathon today, has been running on a treadmill in the Covid-secure Riverside Studios in London through 31 virtual cities from around the world.
The Sunday Mirror spoke to her as she ran marathon 28 through a virtual Paris course, before going on stage to perform a stand-up comedy gig – in French.
Throughout the epic feat of endurance, she has broken a tooth and nearly lost a toenail. And because of lockdown rules, she doesn’t even have access to a physio.
She said: “I am knackered, but I feel stronger. I fall asleep when I am doing the shows – you just do what you can.
“Two nights ago I fell asleep eight times while in the middle of a live show.
“I have a knowledge that I can do these things if I just stay in there.”
Eddie’s celebrity pals, including Victoria & Abdul co-star Dame Judi Dench, have supported her, helping her raise over £150,000.
Eddie said: “People help – we have people waving through the studio windows. It’s harder indoors than outdoors, even with the wind and rain.
“I need to talk to people, that helps even though it’s difficult to talk when I am running. It’s a good distraction.”
I would love to help Keir Starmer to become the next Prime Minister
EDDIE IZZARD ON HER POLITICAL AMBITIONS