US political heavyweight set to visit UK ahead of election
AMERICAN POLITICAL heavyweight Bernie Sanders is set to visit the UK for a series of events just days ahead of the General Election.
The left-wing Vermont senator will embark on a tour, promoting the paperback release of his book titled
next month. Bernie will be heading to Brighton Festival on June 1, Cambridge Union, Oxford Sheldonian and Brixton Academy on June 2, plus Bristol Festival of Ideas and Hay Festival on June 3.
His brother Larry, the Green Party candidate for the Oxford East constituency, said it “will be lovely” to spend time with his Democratic socialist sibling during his three-day trip.
“All the venues are very big and very sold-out – fortunately, the family are getting free tickets,” said Mr Sanders, who lives in Oxford.
“I will certainly be at the Oxford one. I am going to go to Bristol too, but I won’t probably sit in the audience, and I will drive with him to Hay so we will have a chance to be together and to talk. It will be lovely.”
Bernie, 75, lost out in the race to become the Democrats’ US presidential election candidate to Hillary Clinton – despite garnering more than 13 million votes during the primaries. Gaining international recognition, his bid became known as a movement that inspired and galvanised a generation. It has seen him credited with changing American politics.
Describing his younger sibling as the current main opposition to US President Donald Trump, Mr Sanders said his brother is an “important figure in the world”.
In Bernie provides an insight into his campaign last year, sharing his experiences from the trail and the ideas and strategies that shaped it.
He also outlines his ideas for continuing what has been dubbed a political revolution, highlights how to fight for progressive agendas and reveals details on his life and career.
On Bernie’s book, Mr Sanders said: “I think it is good. Parts of it are boring to me because I know his policies, but for people who are not completely aware, it is quite good. He manages to give it quite a personal feel.”
During the tour, Bernie will giving a talk at each location, followed by a question-and-answer session with the chair of each event and the audience.