May the Firth Be With You
Andrew Dakers of the Lib Dems claims backing of local A lister
With the vote in the Brentford and Isleworth constituency likely to be a close run thing and any of the three main parties a possible winner, the Liberal Democrats are hoping that a bit of Hollywood glamour will swing it their way.
Their candidate, Andrew Dakers is claiming he has the backing of Oscar nominee, Bafta Award winner and local resident Colin Firth.
The actor, best known for his role as the aristocratic Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, has been an active campaigner for human rights. Colin wrote an article on “No matter where you were born” in the recently published “Why vote Liberal Democrat”. The chapter as a whole focused on the issue of refugee rights, which is very close to his heart, but the close of the chapter included a broad endorsement of the Lib Dems and explained why he was switching his support from Labour.
He said, “Whenever I look for compassionate and intellectually rigorous politics I keep coming back to them. As a party outside the establishment, they seem to be offering a change to the basic system of politics that would involve listening to and amplifying the voice of outsiders. Those who, like me, have despaired of political alternatives, should take a second look.”
Lib Dem prospective MP Cllr. Andrew Dakers welcomed the extra support. He is a signatory to the Liberty-Refugee Council parliamentary candidates’ pledge on refugee rights.
He said, "He is a local resident, globally respected for his work as an actor, and also shining a spotlight on the issue of refugee rights. Along with my Lib Dem colleagues I have signed the Liberty-Refugee Council parliamentary candidates’ pledge. We recognise there is no place for racism and xenophobia in modern British politics. Nor is democratic debate advanced by the denigration of the most vulnerable in our country, which includes children and asylum seekers.
Colin Firth achieved film stardom with ‘Bridget Jones's Diary’ and in February 2010 received an Academy Award nomination for his work in ‘A Single Man’, for which he won the BAFTA for Best Actor.
Andrew Dakers is also claiming the backing of actress Susan Penhaligon and antique specialist and TV presenter Tom Keane who live in the constituency.
The book makers are still making Mary Macleod of the Conservatives the favourite to win the constituency with Andrew Dakers and Ann Keen neck and neck for second place.
May 1, 2010
