LABOUR'S NEW TEAM OF CELEB SUPPORTERS - FROM SIR ELTON JOHN TO BEVERLEY KNIGHT

Polling stations are almost officially open, and millions across the country—including the rich and famous—are preparing to exercise their democratic right to vote in the 2024 General Election.

While many celebrities often shy away from revealing their political leanings, this election has sparked a whole new host of notable names revealing who they will put an X next to on their ballot tomorrow. .

From Sir Elton John to Love Island stars backing the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer has already won the celebrity vote.

Thanks to the fact the Tories are effectively toast, with it expected Starmer will be moving into No.10 within days, many stars are using the fact there is no risk of another five years of Conservative rule and voting with their heart - with former Labour man Steve Coogan switching allegiances to the Green Party.

As we wait to find out just who will become the UK's next elected Prime Minister on Friday morning, the Mirror looks at how the nation's favourite celebrities are voting and speaks to Labour insiders about what their support means.

The Labour Party - Sir Elton John leads new team of celebrity supporters

Sir Elton John threw his weight behind Labour in the run-up to the General Election, leading a host of stars backing the party. The iconic musician, alongside his partner David Furnish, joined the likes of Game of Thrones star Kit Harington, actor James Norton, soul sensation Beverley Knight, and Dragons' Den's Deborah Meaden to sprinkle some celebrity magic at a Labour gathering on Saturday [29th June].

Touching on issues dear to them, each celebrity shared why they're ticking Labour on their ballot papers. With husband Furnish by his side, Sir Elton lamented in his heartfelt plea: "It's heartbreaking to see the hopes of Britain's next generation of creative talent downtrodden and destroyed by bureaucracy and red tape."

Concluding with a rallying cry, Sir Elton urged: "There is only one choice. Let's help artists cut through the red tape that prevents them from thriving and contributing to this country's future success. Let's show the world what a creative, prosperous and forward-thinking nation Britain is."

Reality TV stars are also looking to couple up with a Labour government, with Love Island alums vocalising their support for Starmer. Amy Hart has been busy sharing snaps of herself campaigning for Beccy Cooper, the Labour candidate for Worthing West, over recent weeks, while Georgia Harrison said in a video message last week that she hopes this election will be a time "to make a difference to violence against women and girls and hopefully combat the misogyny that we're currently dealing with as a society".

Elsewhere at The Labour Party event hosted by presenter June Sarpong on Saturday, comedian Jason Manford stressed the importance of backing the creative industries as he endorsed Labour, with Soul singer and Olivier Award-winning actress Beverley Knight, Game of Thrones actor Kit Harington, Strictly Come Dancing champion Bill Bailey and Dragons' Den's Deborah Meaden all urged the public to vote Labour today in heartfelt video messages.

The backing of a diverse range of celebrities has gone down well in the Labour camp, with it pointed out that stars, just like the general public, are "crying out for a change". Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Dan Hughes, a leading public relations executive and former Labour Party adviser, declared: "There is a tremendous amount of positivity and optimism about the change Labour can bring, so it is no surprise that some of the country's biggest celebrities have given the party their support. It has always been thought that Sir Elton is a Labour supporter, but to have him publicly endorse Keir Starmer has been a massive coup.

"Other celebrities like Beverley Knight and Ross Kemp have backed Labour too and have helped take the message of change to the country. They've helped Labour connect with voters. The Tories have had no one. Celebrities, just like the general public, are crying out for change and helping end 14 years of Tory misery."

Other celebrities to endorse the Labour Party ahead of the 2024 General Election include: Gary Neville, Tom Kerridge, Dave Rowntree (running as an MP for the party in Mid Sussex), Grayson Perry

The Green Party - New crop of eco-activists

With it looking exceptionally likely the Tories will suffer a humiliating defeat once the votes are counted, many voters are going to the polls to vote with their hearts, safe in the knowledge a vote for an independent candidate or a minor party won't allow the Conservative Party to sneak a narrow overall victory.

Due to Labour's divisive stance on significant issues like Israel's war on Palestine and the trans community, many traditional Labour voters have found themselves unwilling to vote for the party this time around - including celebrities like award-winning actors Steve Coogan and Hugh Grant.

The award-winning actor and comedian has never been shy about airing his political views. He endorsed former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn in both the 2017 and 2019 elections, but the Alan Partridge creator has gone to the Green side and has been campaigning for Sian Berry in Brighton Pavilion over the last few weeks.

Hugh Grant, the renowned actor from Notting Hill, has also joined the ranks of Green Party supporters. Grant has endorsed Green Party candidate Carla Denyer in a seat Labour's Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Thangam Debbonaire is predicted to lose. In a campaign leaflet, Grant expressed his admiration for Denyer's integrity and public-centric approach, stating that he found it 'so refreshing to see a politician with integrity, who puts the public first'.

Other celebrities to endorse the Green Party ahead of the 2024 General Election include: Massive Attack, Kevin McCloud,

The Conservative Party - Token Tories

On the blue side, many famous long-time supporters of the Conservative Party are keeping quiet at this time, with only a few surprise names publicly endorsing Rishi Sunak. It's never been particularly cool for a celebrity to out themselves as a Tory - Geri Halliwell cosing up then Conservative MP Nadine Dorries in 2022 went down like a led balloon with left-wing Spice Girls fans - but the party has previously attracted some high-profile supporters over the years, with the likes of Gary Barlow, Dame Joan Collins and randomly, the GoCompare man Wynne Evans backing the Tories in the past.

However, the 2024 General Election hasn't had many showbiz residents coming out and being proud of Sunak and co—they've even lost Australian Holly Valance (best known for appearing on Neighbours for three years and marrying billionaire Nick Candy ) to Nigel Farage's Reform Party.

However, the Government has picked up a few endorsements over recent weeks, with Sir Bob Geldof publishing a video supporting Tory candidate Andrew Mitchell. In his message, the Boomtown Rats singer said: "The party that Andrew Mitchell is a member of is not important to me.

"What is important is that he's a decent person, or else he wouldn't be a friend of mine, I guess. What we so desperately need in our Parliament, whether again in opposition or in Government, is clever, committed, capable people. We have had enough of leery shysters, buffoons and tiresome w*****s."

Double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell is running as a Conservative Party MP in Colchester, despite calling the Tories "a shower of s**t". The athlete, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2010, said in a recent Facebook video: "Two weeks out from the Olympics if we are competing against the Conservative party, my teammates and I would be saying they are a shower of s**t. And if one of my teammates got caught for cheating, they'd be dead to me. That abuse of trust is unforgivable."

His comments came in the wake of allegations emerging against Tory candidates and officials who have been accused of betting on the date of the 2024 General Election before Prime Minister Sunak announced it. Cracknell is running to retain the seat in Colchester, but Labour is expected to win it for the first time since 1945.

Famous independent voices

The 2024 General Election has seen a massive spike in high-profile independent candidates with no affiliation to any party running to become MPs - with many celebrities backing lone Rangers. As exclusively revealed by the Mirror last month, snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan has thrown his weight behind independent candidate Faiza Shaheen.

The world champion, who previously supported Labour under Ed Miliband in 2015 and Jeremy Corbyn in 2017, declared it a "no-brainer" to back former Labour candidate Shaheen when she decided to stand as an independent. His endorsement came in the wake of Shaheen's shock after being barred from running as Labour's candidate before she announced she would challenge the constituency as an independent, aiming to take down former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith in Chingford and Wood Green.

O'Sullivan, who has been on the campaign trail and door-knocking with Shaheen, told the Mirror last month: "Faiza has bundles of passion. She is well respected here, people know her, they see her in the cafe or in the supermarket. She's one of us. When I heard she was standing, I got in touch to give her my support. To me, it's a no-brainer. I'll be voting for Faiza and, over the next couple of weeks, I'll be helping to encourage people to get behind her too."

In the Islington North constituency, former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has the backing of American actor and comedian Rob Delaney as he runs as an independent for the first time in his bid to retain the seat he has held since 1983. Corbyn, 74, announced in May his intention to ride solo at the 2024 General Election after Sir Keir Starmer expelled him from the Labour Party.

Deadpool 2 actor Delaney was present as the veteran socialist handed in his nomination papers at Islington Town Hall in June. The comic told the cheering crowd outside the hall that Corbyn was a "wonderful constituent MP" and a "fantastic guy." Delaney has frequently supported Corbyn's campaign on social media ever since.

Elsewhere across the country, musician Eric Clapton has endorsed independent candidate Andrew Feinstein for Holborn & St Pancras. The Wonderful Tonight shared his support for the former Labour politician in June, telling his social media followers he backs Feinstein's "fight for the children of Gaza, for the freedom of the people of Palestine, and for the soul of the human race... Against the genocide in Gaza... For love and Truth..."

Roger Waters, co-founder of the rock band Pink Floyd, quoted Clapton's post on Twitter (X) and shared it with his followers, writing: "El, my dear friend we stand together. Love you brother." Waters has also supported the British-Palestinian candidate taking on Labour's Wes Streeting in Ilford North. "Gaza has brought about an awakening, now we have to use our rage and bring it to the ballot box," Waters said in a video as he endorsed independent candidate Leanne Mohamad last month.

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2024-07-03T11:45:27Z dg43tfdfdgfd