Brit rocker vies for UK council slot
Reuters, Apr 15, 2007 2:39 am PDTThe drummer for British rock band Blur
has announced his modest bid for public office via the Internet
with a two-minute film on YouTube.
While Blur frontman Damon Albarn has been involved in various side projects, including Gorillaz and the Good, the Bad & the Queen, the Britpop band itself has been on an extended hiatus. This may have prompted David Rowntree to offer himself to the voters of Westminster in London on May 3 in a council by-election.
Rowntree, who has been active in local Labour Party politics for some years, admits he faces an uphill battle. "It's a very strong Conservative area," Rowntree says. But he believes "there are a lot of people quite angry" with the Conservative-run council.
Although Rowntree is something of a celebrity in local politics, it is not unique for a British rock star to stand as a candidate. Peter Wishart, a former member of Big Country and Runrig, is now a Scottish Nationalist MP for the constituency of Perth and North Perthshire.
Reuters/Billboard
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