22 February 2024 , 11:59
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Will Young says he is considering becoming an MP after growing tired of "terrifying" life in Tory Britain.
The singer has accused Rishi Sunak of taking the country backwards following years of progress on equality and believes voters are crying out for change under Keir Starmer’s leadership. He's now taken things one stage further and could stand after the Conservatives launched what he calls a series of attacks on LGBT people.
Speaking on Pod Save the UK to presenter Liz Bates, the Leave Right Now hitmaker noted the world could be in a better place with Labour in power and may throw his hat into the ring. He said: "I've become more hopeful. I really am actually. I had a moment yesterday or the day before and I was like, I might become an MP. Honestly, I had a moment.
"My God, I could become an MP. I'm really enthused by it. I'm going to text old K dog (Keir Starmer). This isn't a sales pitch for Labour, but I genuinely do feel hope when I'm around the people in Labour, when I talk to them, the meetings I've had with them. I get a lot of hope from Labour, like Steve Reid, who's shadow DEFRA.
Will was chatting to Liz Bates on the Pod Save the UK show"I mean, he's brilliant. They've just announced the fox hunting thing. They did the badgers. And they're really hopeful. And I genuinely think that we need that in this country. I need it as a citizen. You know, I want to feel like things aren't absolutely hopeless. I'd go all in. I'd go in for the cabinet."
Rishi Sunak must be a leader, not just a manager
Will has warned that he plans to leave the country if the Tories manage to cling on to power at the next election. The Pop Idol winner told the Mirror last year that the time has come for a change of leadership and vowed to emigrate if they aren't given the boot at the next possible moment.
“I won’t stay in this country if they win. No way. It’s too terrifying," he said. “I feel scared when you see a Home Secretary stand up and pick on LGBT migrants and talking about hurricanes. They're picking on minorities, it’s just terrifying. I don’t think they’re thinking about people in this country. They’re just not solving the problems.”
The singer says Sir Keir Starmer is the man to take Britain forward (Getty Images)Last year, the singer launched a new campaign, the Coalition to Stop Animal Testing, to demand a complete ban on animal testing. Sir Keir was “receptive” to his ideas after meeting and has since launched a petition demanding ban on the use of dogs for testing and research.
He said: “I have felt very let down as a citizen. But now I feel very excited about the prospect of a change in government. I don't think I'm the only person. I feel like we have to remind ourselves that we do live in a democracy and that you can affect change. The power is with the people and I'm a big believer in that. I really do think people believe in Labour. They are so tired. People feel let down."
Will added: “It makes me feel a bit scared as a gay man. I haven't really seen that before. It’s weird that I’m in my 40s seeing politicians making such radical statements. I’ve seen a lot of improvements - gay marriage, equal rights. I’ve seen a lot of rights come my way and now we are seeing a Conservative Party going for minorities. I thought we’d got better. I’m not scared for my life, I’m scared for the country. It deliberately creates a climate of fear.”